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Broken lightbulb easy removal hack : )…

This topic can be found at:
https://sigforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/320601935/m/8610029694

December 11, 2022, 02:16 PM
Bisleyblackhawk
Broken lightbulb easy removal hack : )…
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 Razz…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 Cool


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Making the best of what ever comes our way
Forget that blind ambition and learn to trust your intuition
Plowing straight ahead come what may
And theres a cowboy in the jungle"
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December 11, 2022, 02:38 PM
Plugugly
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.
December 11, 2022, 02:42 PM
Pipe Smoker
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 Cool

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



Serious about crackers.
December 11, 2022, 04:06 PM
Excam_Man
Needle nose pliers




December 11, 2022, 06:15 PM
SpinZone
quote:
Originally posted by Excam_Man:
Needle nose pliers


This.
Make sure power is off.



“We truly live in a wondrous age of stupid.” - 83v45magna

"I think it's important that people understand free speech doesn't mean free from consequences societally or politically or culturally."
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December 11, 2022, 06:30 PM
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.
December 11, 2022, 06:40 PM
cparktd
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.



Endeavor to persevere.
December 11, 2022, 06:43 PM
kkina
The real question is: how many Sigforum members does it take to change a (broken) lightbulb?



ACCU-STRUT FOR MINI-14
"Pen & Sword as one."
December 11, 2022, 07:01 PM
recoatlift
Another tater vote! Power off & a ‘tater works excellent!
December 11, 2022, 07:15 PM
OKCGene
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.
.
December 11, 2022, 07:19 PM
TBH
This whole thread is…..Shocking!


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December 11, 2022, 07:34 PM
sigcrazy7
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.



Demand not that events should happen as you wish; but wish them to happen as they do happen, and you will go on well. -Epictetus
December 11, 2022, 07:49 PM
gjgalligan
quote:
Originally posted by Bisleyblackhawk:
Razz…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 Cool


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


Integrity is doing the right thing, even when nobody is looking.
December 11, 2022, 07:58 PM
snoris
quote:
Originally posted by Excam_Man:
Needle nose pliers


Which model---the Moe, Larry, or Curley?
December 12, 2022, 08:24 AM
Flash-LB
quote:
Originally posted by gjgalligan:
quote:
Originally posted by Bisleyblackhawk:
Razz…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 Cool


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.
December 12, 2022, 08:40 AM
HRK
quote:
Originally posted by kkina:
The real question is: how many Sigforum members does it take to change a (broken) lightbulb?


So far, 15.... Big Grin
December 12, 2022, 08:50 AM
Skins2881
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.



Jesse

Sic Semper Tyrannis
December 12, 2022, 09:53 AM
Excam_Man
Please make sure not to insert the potatoe backwards either! Roll Eyes




December 12, 2022, 10:14 AM
1s1k
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.
December 16, 2022, 11:59 AM
cparktd
Try Multitasking!
Leave the power on while using the potato!
Bulb changed and potato cooked for lunch…
Let us know how that works out Big Grin



Endeavor to persevere.