How to change a light bulb

Question

I have some new wall mounted bedside angle spotlights, fitted by an electrician but they came without bulbs. After some puzzlement it turns out they are 'GU10 Mini' bulbs. They have the same prongs that you push in and turn but the bulb is 35mm dia not the normal 50mm dia. They are unobtainable anywhere in town, even the cavernous B&Q they denied all knowledge, eventually they were ordered online. They arrived today.

After much poking I was able to blindly align the prongs to the holes and push them in but I am quite unable to turn the bulb to secure it and make it connect. The non-removable shade/cowl is close around the bulb and there is nothing on the face to grip on. WTF? Is there some tool or technique? Is there another type of bulb?

Tim W

Sam Plusnet · Accepted Answer

IIRC it's the same problem on the normal size GU10 lamps. Mine came with a rubber sucker that you attach to the face of the lamp/bulb which gives you enough grip to either insert & rotate or rotate & extract. I'm not sure where you can get a small enough rubber sucker - the type used to attach (e.g.) a dash-cam onto a windscreen is probably too big.

Jeff Layman · Answer

Maybe use a lump of blue tack on the face of the bulb and then peel it off when the bulb is in?

The Natural Philosopher · Answer

Or super flue or hot glue something to it and then use acetone to remove it

Pamela · Answer

They're widely available on Amazon and eBay.See

Brian · Answer

I saw this being done in a shop display while waiting for Senior Management.

You need a stick with a rubber ‘plunger’ on the end, a bit like a one of those arrows designed to stick to a smooth surface when fired.

The plunger is used to push and twist the old bulb to remove it.

Then stick the new one on the end, locate, push, and twist.

The chap I saw doing it changed a row of bulbs in minutes to change a display.

Andrew · Answer

Dunelm seem to have a decent range of lighting *and* all thenecessary bulbs (well the Horsham branch does).

Jim the Geordie · Answer

You could also try Mini Hans

Harry Bloomfield Esq · Answer

A sucker!

The Natural Philosopher · Answer

Given that the bulb has blown why not superglue a handle to the bulb?

How to change a light bulb

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