help me outsmart the **** light bulbs

[id10t]

Have 3 banks of 48" toob lights in our kitchen - one on a switch by itself, the other 2 on a switch together.

One of the 2 together has gone out, so off to Lowes for replacements. Got proper replacements, but now I can't get 'em to snap into the fixture properly.

I get them in on one end, move the chair, get the other end in and I hear the first end pop out.

Tried my method of getting one pin lined up, then rotating the toob to get the other up into place, but one end or the other ends up popping out.

Is this just a cheap fixture problem, a far end of being in spec problem, or am I just too stupid to out think a lightbulb?

[Evans, Marv]

If I remember right, some times the contacts at the ends get a little bent out of shape and have to be bent back to work right. Maybe you can try to gently rotate the tube toward the center while you watch what is happening at the ends, or have somebody else rotate it while you watch. It's sometimes a mystery why things like that go hay wire.

[flyenby]

I usually put a mark on the metal band of the tube to show me pin orientation, then as said earlier ..I slowly rotate the tube while slightly pushing upward..

[M.D. Holloway]

Duck tape...

[Hugh R]

Duct Tape, not quack, quack, but I'm sure you knew that.

[campbellcj]

Sometimes the connector ends simply break. Most are cheaply made to begin with and over age the heat cycles make them brittle. I just had to replace a fixture yesterday for this reason. I was kinda pissed to discover the replacement fixture did not come assembled or even fully wired, but still it's a 10-20 minute job tops.

[flyenby]

You can also purchase the end sockets separately .....easier than replacing the entire fixture

[johnco]

simple. put the chair in the middle and put both ends in at the same time. it's only a 4' bulb after all

[slodave]

Jam some tin foil in there!

[Gogar]

How about 1 more chair and 1 more person?

[futuresoptions]

How many Pelicans does it take to change a light bulb?

[porsche4life]

Originally Posted by slodave

Jam some tin foil in there!

An unused .22 round would work better.

[slodave]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

An unused .22 round would work better.

Those are good for car fuses!

[id10t]

Originally Posted by slodave

Those are good for car fuses!

But cost too much!


Somehow, a few beers got opened ... and then a few more. Not getting up on a chair to play with things over my head while drinking... that would lead to even more interesting posts.

Will tackle tonight when I get home....

[71scgc]

Originally Posted by flyenby

I usually put a mark on the metal band of the tube to show me pin orientation, then as said earlier ..I slowly rotate the tube while slightly pushing upward..

If you feel of the "metal band", there is a small dent to indicate the pin orientation.

Carter

[widebody911]

Originally Posted by Hugh R

Duct Tape, not quack, quack, but I'm sure you knew that.

Duct Tape, Packaging Tape, Shelf Liner, Weatherization | Duck® Brand

[sammyg2]

Q) How many Californians does it take to screw in a light bulb?

A) Californians don't screw in light bulbs, they screw in hot tubs!

[MBAtarga]

I recently installed 20 of the quad 4' receptacles in my new workshop. I always install the bulbs from one end. Looking at the exposed pins I rotate the bulb until the pins are lined up vertically. Then I hold the far end of the bulb up to the far socket so that the first pin is engaging in the socket, raise the closest end until it engages in the nearer socket and push both ends of the bulb up and rotate the bulb to lock it in place.

[Hugh R]

Movie set jokes:

How many grips does it take to screw in a light bulb? That's not me, that's Electric, I'm filing a grievance!

How many Set Dressers does it take to screw in a light bulb? Light bulb? I have this really nice chandelier.

How many Directors does it take to screw in a light bulb? One, he holds the bulb and the World rotates around him.