I ended up with two broken off at the screwy-innie base part of the bulb, flush with the fixture…Amazon, Home Depot sell little plastic tools to put friction on the base to allow the removal…I don’t know where I saw the trick of taking a small Potato and after making sure the switch is off, gently but firmly insert the potato into the broken base to unscrew it…easy peesy …a small amount of dilectric grease helps prevent future replacement bulbs from sticking in high moisture areas according to an electrician friend…just thought I would share

I learned the potato trick way back when from my granny, after a lamp got knocked over. Thanks for reminding me of those summers I spent in her home in Mena.

quote:

Originally posted by Bisleyblackhawk:
<snip>
A small amount of dilectric grease helps prevent future replacement bulbs from sticking in high moisture areas according to an electrician friend…just thought I would share

Yep. I use silicone “faucet grease” from Home Depot.

Needle nose pliers

quote:

Originally posted by Excam_Man:
Needle nose pliers

This.
Make sure power is off.

quote:

Originally posted by SpinZone:

quote:

Originally posted by Excam_Man:
Needle nose pliers

This.
Make sure power is off.

Yes. Power off, and I put them inside the broken bulb base, pull the pliers handles outwards to force the pliers noses against the bulb base, then rotate. Usually works.

Yep, needle nose. And silicone grease or such on the new one… or never seize. I also always wright the date on the new bulb with a permanent marker just for curiosity’s sake.

The real question is: how many Sigforum members does it take to change a (broken) lightbulb?

Another tater vote! Power off & a ‘tater works excellent!

When you just can't reach the burned out bulbs, buy one of the kits at any hardware store, maybe even wallymart.

There are some extensions, like a painters pole, and the rubber doohickey thing screws onto the top. It gets a really good grip and will spin'er right on out of there. Has another whatchamacallum that holds the new lightbulb to install.

I got one because of a family members house with tall ceilings. No need to screw around with a big assed ladder. Guess who did this ONE TIME ONLY and thus is now the light bulb replacer guy.
.

This whole thread is…..Shocking!

By the way, “power off” doesn’t simply mean you turned the switch off. Somebody could have wired the switch on the neutral. It’s not off until you’ve stuck a tester in it to check.

quote:

Originally posted by Bisleyblackhawk:
…a small amount of dilectric grease helps prevent future replacement bulbs from sticking in high moisture areas according to an electrician friend…just thought I would share

I always thought dielectric grease was non-conductive. So if you coat the threads you might cause the light to not light up.

quote:

Originally posted by Excam_Man:
Needle nose pliers

Which model---the Moe, Larry, or Curley?

quote:

Originally posted by gjgalligan:

quote:

Originally posted by Bisleyblackhawk:
…a small amount of dilectric grease helps prevent future replacement bulbs from sticking in high moisture areas according to an electrician friend…just thought I would share

I always thought dielectric grease was non-conductive. So if you coat the threads you might cause the light to not light up.

You're right. It isn't conductive.

https://www.motortrend.com/how...rease%3F,and%20doesn't%20conduct%20electricity.

What is dielectric grease? Despite the fact it has "electric" right there in the name, it's a fairly common misconception that dielectric grease is capable of conducting electricity. In actual fact, dielectric grease is an insulator and doesn't conduct electricity.

quote:

Originally posted by kkina:
The real question is: how many Sigforum members does it take to change a (broken) lightbulb?

So far, 15....

quote:

Originally posted by amals:

quote:

Originally posted by SpinZone:

quote:

Originally posted by Excam_Man:
Needle nose pliers

This.
Make sure power is off.

Yes. Power off, and I put them inside the broken bulb base, pull the pliers handles outwards to force the pliers noses against the bulb base, then rotate. Usually works.

Emphasis added, never attempt to grab the socket with needle nose, always open handles.

Please make sure not to insert the potatoe backwards either!

quote:

Originally posted by amals:

quote:

Originally posted by SpinZone:

quote:

Originally posted by Excam_Man:
Needle nose pliers

This.
Make sure power is off.

Yes. Power off, and I put them inside the broken bulb base, pull the pliers handles outwards to force the pliers noses against the bulb base, then rotate. Usually works.

That’s the way I do it. The potato trick has a high failure rating because some lightbulbs break trying to twist them out because they are stuck in there.

Try Multitasking!
Leave the power on while using the potato!
Bulb changed and potato cooked for lunch…
Let us know how that works out