Replacing ceiling spot lights

[buckaroo]

We have kitchen spot lights that are flush into the ceiling with a silver (modern) trim.

However we have the bulbs (after 2 have just blown) and as they are flush, I wanted to know how to remove these??

The bulbs just have 2 pins on the end

I will try and attach a picture..

Actually does this need a little Rubber suction thingy to remove these? Do these come with the lights? or are they purchasable from DIY stores?

Thanks

 

[wingcoax]

You do need that "little rubber suction thingy" that is what they are for , so you don't get greasy finger marks on the "bulb" and shorten it's already brief life.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

You'll soon get the hang of replacing the lamps.

 

[Taylortwocities]

You do need that "little rubber suction thingy" that is what they are for , so you don't get greasy finger marks on the "bulb" and shorten it's already brief life.

Eh, I don't understand that statement.

The hot glowy thing (aka the halogen bulb) is the bit you should not get your fingers on. Luckily, the makers of GU10 and MR16 lamps have kindly placed the nasty hot thing inside a second protective glass enclosure. So no problems with chip fat fingers.

Next question for the OP. What sort of lamp are these? 230volt or 12volt.

Note to BAS

 

[RF Lighting]

You'll soon get the hang of replacing the lamps.

Yeah, once every eight years or so.

 

[Steve]

The lamps may have a metal retaining clip under them - this needs squeezing with pliers (dont worry you wont smash the lamp, the glass is strong) and removing, then the lamp will fall down supported by its wire.

Many dont have retaining rings though, and just pull out. mains voltage ones need a twist though, similar to bayonet fittings.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

You'll soon get the hang of replacing the lamps.

Yeah, once every eight years or so.

Yup - 40 - 100 minutes use per day for 8 years will get you to 2000-5000 hours.

 

[Bankrupt]

Yeah, once every eight years or so.

If you're getting eight years life from lamps you don't have them on very often.....

You'd be lucky to get eight months - and then they'll trip your breaker when they blow !...

 

[mikhailfaradayski]

i take it from that you're not a fan of recessed light fittings?

whys that?

 

[Bankrupt]

I'm neither a fan nor a foe of recessed lighting - I'm just stating the facts about the kind of life you can expect from the bulbs.

Recessed halogen light fittings certainly throw out a lot of light. However they also use a lot of power which is at odds with the current move towards low energy lighting. They are a choice of style over economy, particularly in summer - In winter you get some benefit from all the heat they emit ! .

 

[FourFootMedia]

I'm just stating the facts about the kind of life you can expect from the bulbs.

Maybe in your experience, but my experience is quite different; Out of the 20 in this house, 19 are the originals from when it was renovated coming up to 3 years ago. The one that did go, didn't trip the breaker or RCD. Quality lamps and fittings installed with the recommended space seems to work.*
In comparison, during the same time period I've had to replace 2 megaman, 1 philips genie and 1 generic energy saving CFL's at 5 times the cost.


Edit: * the majority are for accent/feature lighting, so are on for a good percentage of the evening, not constantly switched on/off - although all our switches are softstart. The rest are in a long hallway which is only on for maybe ~15mins at a time.