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Help! Broken light bulb
Topic Started: Jan 11 2009, 02:21 PM (151 Views)
dolmansaxlil
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HOLY CARP!!!
I had a burnt out bulb in the bathroom. Those big round bulbs, not the normal one. I went to unscrew it today, and the bulb part broke off in my hand. I've seen the cut in half potato trick to get them out, BUT, the inner part of the bulb is still intact, and it's really long and kind of fat. I'm not sure I can get a potato to actually stick onto it so I can turn it.

I turned the light on when I went in afterward out of habit, and there was a pop and a spark. Am I going to burn my house down if I can't get this thing out of there?
"Your first 10,000 photographs are your worst." ~ Henri Cartier-Bresson

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Mikhailoh
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If you want trouble, find yourself a redhead
First thing, go to the control panel and turn the power to that light off. Then get a pair of needlenose pliers with rubber handles. You should be able to get it out by gripping the metal edge of the bulb base. But be sure to cut the power at the box - do not use a shortcut.
Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead - Lucille Ball
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ivorythumper
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I am so adjective that I verb nouns!
Switch off both the switch and the fuse at the fuse box.

You might be able to use a pair of needle nose pliers to distend one side of the thread, pulling it toward the center, so that you can unthread it with the pliers.

(But wait to see if Steve Miller shows up!)
The dogma lives loudly within me.
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dolmansaxlil
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HOLY CARP!!!
Thanks, Mik! That did the trick! And yes, I flipped the breaker and everything, first.

Of course, now the light next to it is burnt out - from when I flipped the switch on the first time do you think? Or is there some wacky wiring going on that I should get looked at?

Edit: Thanks to you, IT. Mik was just quicker, and I was already working away when you posted! :)
"Your first 10,000 photographs are your worst." ~ Henri Cartier-Bresson

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Mikhailoh
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If you want trouble, find yourself a redhead
No, I'd say the bulbs are just of similar age. I had two lights bulb go out on my chandelier the same day last week. I'm just going to replace them all.
Once in his life, every man is entitled to fall madly in love with a gorgeous redhead - Lucille Ball
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dolmansaxlil
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HOLY CARP!!!
Good point, Mik. :) Thanks!
"Your first 10,000 photographs are your worst." ~ Henri Cartier-Bresson

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QuirtEvans
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I Owe It All To John D'Oh
Another old remedy is to use a potato. Whittle it down to the right size, jam it in there ... the sheared-off part of the light bulb gets stuck on the potato, then you turn the potato.

Srsly.

But needlenose pliers work, too. :)
It would be unwise to underestimate what large groups of ill-informed people acting together can achieve. -- John D'Oh, January 14, 2010.
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dolmansaxlil
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HOLY CARP!!!
Quirt obviously didn't read my post :P

Tee hee.
"Your first 10,000 photographs are your worst." ~ Henri Cartier-Bresson

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QuirtEvans
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I Owe It All To John D'Oh
dolmansaxlil
Jan 11 2009, 03:57 PM
Quirt obviously didn't read my post :P

Tee hee.
Hehe, caught. I read the first three sentences.
It would be unwise to underestimate what large groups of ill-informed people acting together can achieve. -- John D'Oh, January 14, 2010.
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