"Brooklyn1" wrote in message
news:
[email protected]...
I had a pole for changing them but it didn't work with these can lights. It
works by suction and in order for it to grab the bulb, you have to push it
upwards. This was merely pushing the fixtures all into the ceiling. My
husband was able to retrieve some of the parts but some seemed to be lost
forever. Eventually when all but one light above the fridge had burned out
is when I called the electrician. This was not the only issue. There were
lights in the garage that were burned out that were not easily replaced
because some idiot installed the fixture so that if you opened the garage
door, you couldn't access the fixture. With the door shut, it was pitch
dark because of course the bulbs were burned out! We also could not get the
cover off of the garage door opener to replace the bulb in there. That has
again burned out. And then there was the fire in the laundry room caused by
a ballast that had burned out. So it wasn't just for the one thing that I
called the electrician. He also installed a dimmer switch in the kitchen
because when those lights *are* on, they are too bright and generate too
much heat to make the room comfortable if you are in there busy and cooking.
The electrician told me not to use the suction pole thingie because it would
not work with those lights.
I have since bought another one that has a metal cage type thingie on it
that expands and contracts. I have successfully used it to change the flood
lights at the back house, but they are not can lights. I do not know if it
will work in the kitchen. Part of the problem there is that the cans are
put in at an angle.
I currently need someone to change the bulbs along the front of the house.
The fixtures there are recessed. I can reach the glass fixture and pull it
down. It pulls down slightly. The problem then is in accessing the bulb.
You have to wend your hand around and up to get to the small bulb within.
And it is just out of my grasp in standing on the step stool. My husband is
a bit shorter than me. He can reach them if he puts two phone books under
the steep ladder. I don't think this is a smart thing to do. I would
gladly hire my young adult nephew to do this because this is the sort of
thing he likes to do to make some extra money, but... I think he is only my
height, if that. And he doesn't own a ladder. I had my husband's friend
change one of the bulbs before he moved away. He is very tall and had no
problem at all reaching it. One friend of mine has a grandson who is the
age of my nephew. I believe he is taller but he currently has a knee
surgery and is awaiting surgery for it so he would not be a good one for
climbing a ladder, even if we did have one that would work.
I might see if the plumber I hired recently for three different things could
do the bulbs along the front of the house. He does construction as well and
he doesn't seem to charge a lot. I also don't know for sure what kind of
bulbs are supposed to go in there. The first one that was changed was done
by the milkman. He was quite tall. But I no longer get milk delivery. It
was one of those new coiled bulbs that they are pushing us to use. But...
Those all say not for outdoor use. It was a small one though. Smaller than
your standard incandescent light. Anyway... I should think this guy would
have a ladder that would work.