Update #2

A relative had a 12ft step ladder. Really not too bad of a job with that. The hardest part was moving the ladder from his house to mine (thank goodness I drive a Suburban) and then getting the ladder in and set up without banging up the walls. There are 3 new LED bulbs installed, so hopefully I am done with this chore for 5+ years.



Update #1 - I did try some more with my extension ladder. Putting it on the stairs, bottom against wall 3, top against wall 2. I have a leveling device for the bottom, but the device makes the ladder too wide for one step, and the leveling device is not long enough to handle 2 steps.

Then I borrowed a 10ft step ladder from my neighbor. Standing two steps from the top, I could reach inside, much like I can from the landing. But not enough to actually get anything done.

So I either need to find a 12ft step ladder, or little giant step ladder I can put on the stairs. Either one will do the job. I have messages out to a few friends. Do not really want to buy one, cause once I replace these bulbs with LED's, I do not plan to touch this fixture for years and years and I do not want to have to store yet another ladder.

Orignal post below:

Insert your own joke if you wish.



This my entryway / hallway and light fixture. The bottom of the light fixture is about 13ft off the ground floor.

My first thought was to grab my 16ft extension ladder and lean it against the wall, as shown in the pic (see #2). But of course a 16 ft extension ladder only has a true height of about 13 ft. And since the staircase is at the bottom, the angle is very steep, placing some of my weight outside of the bottom of the ladder. And even if I could climb high enough, I would them have to turn around and work backwards.

So I walked up the stairs, leaned out from the stairs (see #1) and grabbed the light. I was able to pull it over to me, but the further I pull, the higher it goes, since it is attached to the ceiling and now moving on an arc. I can barely reach into the bowl, but it requires grand contortions from my wrist.

Then I thought maybe I can lean the ladder against the wall (see #3) on the stairs. I have a leveling system for the ladder that will allow me to place it on the stairs. Being on that side will give me more height. But I am then still in the predicament of the light fixture being at my back and my weight at a weird angle.

I then thought maybe I can remove the glass bowl (see #4), but just like a manhole cover that will not fall into its own hole, the glass bowl will not come out of the bottom due to the metal band that is just a tad smaller in diameter than the glass bowl.

Then I tried to unhook one of the metal bars (see #5) from either point, but since these are rigid, there is no room to move them or bend them so they can be unhooked.

And since the bar holding the lights (see #6) is also rigid, I cannot lift this up away from the glass bowl to give myself room to work.

I need ideas. How the heck am I supposed to change these light bulbs?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: holdem,

Whatever you decide, consider a LED bulb (any brand other than Cree*) or CFL so it doesn't need to be replaced as often.

* CREE = SHIT.

Lean the ladder against the banister.

Train your monkey to do it.

Hire Ethan Hunt.

Ladder in the foyer. Run a plank or three from a stair that's high enough onto a rung of the ladder. Then do a balancing act out to the fixture. Kind-of make a poor man's scaffold.

I did something similar to hang a picture in my daughter's stairwell. To be fair, it was an attic stairwell and there was more to hang on to if it fell.

Her husband and I are standing on the planks in the below. Stairway comes up from left to right. I'm the handsome one on the left.

quote:

Originally posted by .38supersig:
Whatever you decide, consider a LED bulb (any brand other than Cree*) or CFL so it doesn't need to be replaced as often.

* CREE = SHIT.

100% disagree! All I'll use is CREE...They last!

Know someone with a Little Giant type ladder?
They work on stairs.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: PeteF,

Light changer pole

I have one, and it works.

.

You can get a ladder stand off attachment to place you near 2 feet away from the wall at the top of your ladder. Shorter stand offs are made for ladder safety when working at heights. You might could make your own if you study them a bit.

There is a motorized winch available.
I saw it on this old house.

It raises and lowers the fixture for just this application.

It's not a big ugly box on the ceiling.

It's remote controlled.

Check lowes or home Depot.
Not Menards
I hate Menards.

Or
"Call the man"

I think one was rated for 30 lbs. And the other was rated for 60 lbs.

Don't quote me but I think they had a 15 ft. Range ( up and down )

This message has been edited. Last edited by: bendable,

Figure how many other light bulbs are nearing end the of their lives and other electrical work to be done and call an electrician. I no longer get up on tall ladders and the cost of my falling is too much to bear. Then grab a beer and watch.

Bottom of the ladder on the stairs, tilting away from the camera, leaning on the wall above or to the right of the high window at the top of your photo.

Or hire a handyman.

My ex had a neighbor trim some branches off of a tree. The guy is super handy but still just some guy. He managed to fall about 20 feet when his homemade sling broke, resulting in numerous broken bones and about 9 months of rehab. The moral of the story: be really thoughtful about what the critical links are in your plan!

Get a taller ladder, grab the fixture with a boat hook and pull it towards you, change the bulb.

If you have the space a tall step ladder instead of the ext ladder.

Another vote for the Little Giant or a knock-off, so you can do it safely from on the stairs.

Two words:

drone shoes

You'll need one of these ladders

quote:

Originally posted by sigmonkey:

Looks like a good way to get killed LOL