harrycatcat1 Posted December 5, 2014 Report Share Posted December 5, 2014 At my daughters house she has three spot light type things set into the ceiling with the large screw in bulbs and two are not working. I have tested and there is power to the holder but the trouble is when you try and screw them in you only have the end of the bulb to screw in with your finger tips due to the shape of the bracket that holds it in the ceiling only the tips of the bulb stick out. I try and spit on my fingers to screw it in. Even so I dont think its going in far enough to make contact. How can I "lubricate" the threads in the bulb holder to make the bulb go in further? Can I spray WD 40 with the power off? What are the concequences of this? Regards Hcc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rimfire4969 Posted December 5, 2014 Report Share Posted December 5, 2014 I would of thought a touch of vaseline on the thread would be a safer option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spinach Posted December 5, 2014 Report Share Posted December 5, 2014 Are they the flat face type as a simple sucker can be used may even be helpful with round ended bulbs. John. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harrycatcat1 Posted December 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 5, 2014 I would of thought a touch of vaseline on the thread would be a safer option. Are they the flat face type as a simple sucker can be used may even be helpful with round ended bulbs. John. Both good ideas thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilR Posted December 5, 2014 Report Share Posted December 5, 2014 I had R63 screw in spotlights in the kitchen, hall, bathroom and ensuite. As they got older changing bulbs was problematic, necessitating removal of the light unit from the ceiling to release the bulb holder through the unit to extract the bulb. I got so fed up with this that I replaced all the units with G10s which makes the bulbs a doddle to replace. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loki Posted December 5, 2014 Report Share Posted December 5, 2014 (edited) Hi How about trying rubber kitchen gloves to give better purchase on the bulb with your finger tips? The vaseline on the threads should also help before trying this. You may want to consider cleaning off any kitchen residue with Fairy liquid to ensure a clean surface for the glove to grip. Cheers L Edited December 5, 2014 by Loki Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harrycatcat1 Posted December 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 5, 2014 Thanks to everyone for their tips. Went up this afternoon, sprayed the threads of the bulbs with WD 40, wiped excess off and screwed them in a treat with a rubber glove, job sorted, lights now lit up. PW advice won again, thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keg Posted December 5, 2014 Report Share Posted December 5, 2014 I have the same issue, the bulb holders get very brittle over time with the heat. Mine are R50s Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aris Posted December 5, 2014 Report Share Posted December 5, 2014 Consider replacing with LED's much less heat generated and fraction of power used. I've replaced most of the bulbs in my house with LED one. The selection is incredible - even led bulbs with what look like filaments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruno22rf Posted December 6, 2014 Report Share Posted December 6, 2014 Agree 100%, aris, LED's are so cheap now and power consumption is virtually negligible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aris Posted December 6, 2014 Report Share Posted December 6, 2014 Agree 100%, aris, LED's are so cheap now and power consumption is virtually negligible. For me the biggest benefit is the quality of the light - no flicker, and instant-on. No waiting for CFL's to come to full brightness as they warm up. Check these out: http://www.amazon.co.uk/LED-Logic-Filament-Classic-bayonet/dp/B00MU5Y8CO Amazing to think these are LED's - the emitters are flat, and they look like a filament bulb, with the same wide radius of light distribution as a normal bulb. Each filament emits 100 lumens, and consumes 1w. Incredible. You can get LED replacements for all sorts now - recessed 220v GU10's, 12v MR16's, R50 reflectors, candles - just about anything. Well worth replacing them all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michufc Posted December 6, 2014 Report Share Posted December 6, 2014 I am a Sparkie and the problem with the down lights of that nature is as you say the contacts are worn it's really common the only long term cure is to replace the light fitting and I would defiantly go down the led route buy a good quality fitting as the light emitted varies massively I wouldn't advise spraying anything in the light fitting as wd40 is highly flammable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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