Try a pair of snap ring pliers with a 45 degree angle head. Insert into the base, squeeze and turn it out.
How to change a (broken) light bulb
Sorry, I know a 'how to change a light bulb' question is way beneath you pros, but I want to ask just in case.
It's a CFL, stuck in a socket in the ceiling of my garage. The base is securely in the socket, but the coils/tube/whatever it's called was apparently knocked at some point under the previous owner, and is now dangling loosely from the base. Amazingly, it still gives light. I want it out of there. But I've heard those things contain mercury and in its current very-fragile state... I'm just wondering how to approach getting it out without breaking it.
Obviously, first step is to turn the power off to the circuit. Beyond that -- suggestions would be appreciated.
I know, lame newbie question, so sue me.
It's a CFL, stuck in a socket in the ceiling of my garage. The base is securely in the socket, but the coils/tube/whatever it's called was apparently knocked at some point under the previous owner, and is now dangling loosely from the base. Amazingly, it still gives light. I want it out of there. But I've heard those things contain mercury and in its current very-fragile state... I'm just wondering how to approach getting it out without breaking it.
Obviously, first step is to turn the power off to the circuit. Beyond that -- suggestions would be appreciated.
I know, lame newbie question, so sue me.
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Be sure the power is off
You could also use the potato trick. Cut a potato in half and stick it onto the broken base of the bulb and twist.
Indubitably.Be sure the power is off
Wow that's some serious stuff right there (particularly the cleanup process).
Recently I had one in my hand and it slipped out as I was holding other items, and I went to catch it and smashed it against a surface with my hand, I checked that no glass entered my hand but it only broke against the surface. I threw it out and called it a day. It actually stayed in that trash for a few days before it got full and I put it in the garage.
I'm still alive.
The mercury levels are so low I doubt it can do anything especially in a big open space. I would still dispose of them properly though. Come to think of it, wonder if my town even has a program to recycle those... last time we brought about 50 neon tubes to the dump they just told us to throw them with regular trash. For broken bulbs I usually just use needle nose plyers. Close them, insert into broken socket, open, and turn.
For the CCFL if it's just the balast part that is loose from the socket, I'd see if it can safely be glued into place. You can probably keep using the light. I just added 4 of these in my crawlspace in addition to the two incadesent ones. One of the incadesents happened to burn so I replaced it with another CCFL. It's like a foot ball stadium at night in there now. Nice white light.
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