Lights: bayonet to screw cap?

Paivi · World Chat Champion Joined: 30 Sep 2005 Karma :

All my light fittings are for bayonet bulbs. Can they be changed to screw caps? If so, can I give it a go myself or is it a job for an electrician? Also, what kind of shop would have the fittings, B&Q?

Thanks!
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Resurrection · Ballast Boy Joined: 08 Jun 2006 Karma :

B&Q is a good a place to start as any!

The monkeys they employ can SOMETIMES be helpfull.

Your more likely to get some decent and unbiased advise in a smaller hardware shop.

HTH

Res
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Visitor Q · $25 whore Joined: 30 Apr 2004 Karma :

Why would you prefer screw caps, might i ask?

Light bulbs are about a quid each, so i can see the offer of freebys working out cheaper then the cost of converting them all...
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Pte1643 · Nearly there... Joined: 07 Aug 2006 Karma :

tatters · Exxon Valdez Joined: 05 Jan 2004 Karma :

Depends on what fittings you have in your house that you want to change, then again why bother changing Confused

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Paivi · World Chat Champion Joined: 30 Sep 2005 Karma :

I want to change them because I'm struggling to change bayonet bulbs with just one hand (without breaking them in my hand when I squeeze too hard; yes, that hurt and caused a trip to the A&E). I'm used to screw tops and can change those with just one hand.

I have ridiculously high ceilings and the lampshades (big round snowballs) don't allow easy (or any) access from the top, especially when combined with high ceilings, short person and no ceiling clearance.

Because of the electrics in this house, I keep having to replace them fairly often, and it's just a bit dangerous for me.
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My other bike's a Monster... Wink

Visitor Q · $25 whore Joined: 30 Apr 2004 Karma :

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

I suggest you get some energy savers, then you wont have to keep replacing them.

At least bayonets don't keep unscrewing themselves.

Sparks! · Sir Tart-a-lot Joined: 30 Aug 2003 Karma :

I don't know the full story, but why are you only using 1 hand? cna't you use both? as i say, if theres a reason why you can't I apologise as I didn't know and didn't notice you say anything about it in your post here...
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Paivi · World Chat Champion Joined: 30 Sep 2005 Karma :

Because I can't get both hands into the snowball to change the bulb due to a narrow opening, nor can I get there from the above, as there's no access and/or it's too high, so I need to do it blind and with just one hand. Sad

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My other bike's a Monster... Wink

scoota bk · Scooby Slapper Joined: 16 Feb 2006 Karma :

If you're struggling to change the bulbs due to the light's location then you're gonna find it even more difficult changing the fittings!

As said above, get some energy savers, morrisons had them for 50p each before. Then get a friend with ladders etc to get up there and change them all. The bulbs won't need changing for a good few years, they last from 6000hours upwards depending on what make etc you go for

Sparks! · Sir Tart-a-lot Joined: 30 Aug 2003 Karma :

tatters · Exxon Valdez Joined: 05 Jan 2004 Karma :

Syx · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 Oct 2006 Karma :

To answer the original question, it's a simple task. Don't bother with an electrician - it'll cost you the earth for something you can do yourself.

The white (usually) connector is what needs changing. Get down to a DIY place and buy the screw-cap type. Then come home, and get a ladder out.
Remove the shade. Unscrew (by hand) the white (again, usually) cover where the cable comes down from the ceiling and meets the connector. Note: I don't mean the bit ON the ceiling, I mean the bit on the end of the wire! Inside are two wires, live and neutral. Unscrew the clamps and remove them. Take the old fitting and put it aside. Look at the connections for the new fitting, and attach accordingly. Refit shade.
Repeat for other lights.

When done, stick the lot of the old connections on eBay - you might make some money back.

tatters · Exxon Valdez Joined: 05 Jan 2004 Karma :

Pte1643 · Nearly there... Joined: 07 Aug 2006 Karma :

feef · Energiser Bunny Joined: 11 Feb 2002 Karma :

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

Paivi · World Chat Champion Joined: 30 Sep 2005 Karma :

OK, you're scaring me now, guys! Sad

The landlord is sending his sparkie today to replace all my bulbs with energy saving ones, so hopefully I won't have to do it again in the near future.

When they're energy saving, does it also mean that they use less electricity, so I might not have to keep running to the fuse box to flick the switches up as often as I do now? I think I keep overloading the fuses, as every so often when I turn something on, one of the four switches goes 'off'.
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My other bike's a Monster... Wink

feef · Energiser Bunny Joined: 11 Feb 2002 Karma :

Paivi · World Chat Champion Joined: 30 Sep 2005 Karma :

Sparks! · Sir Tart-a-lot Joined: 30 Aug 2003 Karma :

tatters · Exxon Valdez Joined: 05 Jan 2004 Karma :

Sparks! · Sir Tart-a-lot Joined: 30 Aug 2003 Karma :

Visitor Q · $25 whore Joined: 30 Apr 2004 Karma :

I got done by a pressure washer whilst standing barefeet in a plastic tank. Just very glad i hadnt sprayed everywhere first.

Still... woke me up a bit.

I doubt highly it will kill you though, its just unpleasant.
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China traffic/travel bike vid - When I make a sweeping statement, please add the word 'statistically' in to the sentence before you bitch...
From September 2014 to January/February 2015 I will not be using any English, nor reading any. As such, I won't be on here. PM at will, but I won't be checking/posting unless in emergencies. Certainly not for the first couple of months. Please berate me savagely if I break that rule...