One or two of the "spot light" bulbs have required replacement in my 
caravan, which has proved to be extremely difficult to do.

The bulbs in question are GZ4 Halogen Bulbs 10w, 12v, 35x35 dicroic - they 
have two simple wire prongs at the back which simply push into the light 
fitting; which can be quite difficult to align when refitting a new bulb.

However, the real problem I have is getting the old bulb out of the light 
fitting without damaging the fitting or breaking the old bulb, leaving some 
in situ. The bulbs have a flat face which fits flush with the surface of the 
light fitting so there is nothing to get hold of to pull it out.

Is there some sort of gadget or "trick of the trade" which I am missing - I 
never knew it could be so difficult to change a light bulb!

Many thanks.

Mike wrote :
> Is there some sort of gadget or "trick of the trade" which I am missing - I 
> never knew it could be so difficult to change a light bulb!

Is the rear of the fitting open?

Perhaps pull or unscrew the complete fitting out and use a thin blade 
between lamp and socket to pry the two apart.

-- 
Regards,
        Harry (M1BYT) (L)
http://www.ukradioamateur.co.uk

"Mike"  wrote in message 
news:jKs7k.121766$M63.15972@newsfe13.ams2...
> One or two of the "spot light" bulbs have required replacement in my 
> caravan, which has proved to be extremely difficult to do.
>
> The bulbs in question are GZ4 Halogen Bulbs 10w, 12v, 35x35 dicroic - they 
> have two simple wire prongs at the back which simply push into the light 
> fitting; which can be quite difficult to align when refitting a new bulb.
>
> However, the real problem I have is getting the old bulb out of the light 
> fitting without damaging the fitting or breaking the old bulb, leaving 
> some in situ. The bulbs have a flat face which fits flush with the surface 
> of the light fitting so there is nothing to get hold of to pull it out.
>
> Is there some sort of gadget or "trick of the trade" which I am missing - 
> I never knew it could be so difficult to change a light bulb!
>
> Many thanks.

There's a special tool, I saw one the other day but can't remember where ... 
I'll ask Spouse.

Mary
>

On Sun, 22 Jun 2008 14:47:56 +0100, "Mike" 
wrote:

>One or two of the "spot light" bulbs have required replacement in my 
>caravan, which has proved to be extremely difficult to do.
>
>The bulbs in question are GZ4 Halogen Bulbs 10w, 12v, 35x35 dicroic - they 
>have two simple wire prongs at the back which simply push into the light 
>fitting; which can be quite difficult to align when refitting a new bulb.

There is a small rubber suction cap that I got with a set of similar
bulbs.  Its about 1" diameter with a loop to facilitate pulling.

I can't remember now fromwhere I got it... sorry.

"Mary Fisher"  wrote in message 
news:485ea41a$0$764$4c56ba96@master.news.zetnet.net...
>
> "Mike"  wrote in message 
> news:jKs7k.121766$M63.15972@newsfe13.ams2...
>> One or two of the "spot light" bulbs have required replacement in my 
>> caravan, which has proved to be extremely difficult to do.
>>
>> The bulbs in question are GZ4 Halogen Bulbs 10w, 12v, 35x35 dicroic - 
>> they have two simple wire prongs at the back which simply push into the 
>> light fitting; which can be quite difficult to align when refitting a new 
>> bulb.
>>
>> However, the real problem I have is getting the old bulb out of the light 
>> fitting without damaging the fitting or breaking the old bulb, leaving 
>> some in situ. The bulbs have a flat face which fits flush with the 
>> surface of the light fitting so there is nothing to get hold of to pull 
>> it out.
>>
>> Is there some sort of gadget or "trick of the trade" which I am missing - 
>> I never knew it could be so difficult to change a light bulb!
>>
>> Many thanks.
>
> There's a special tool, I saw one the other day but can't remember where 
> ... I'll ask Spouse.
>
> Mary

Apparently it was in a small tool kit from Lidl last week, I'm sorry, I 
didn't save the details.

Mary
>>
>
>

"Harry Bloomfield"  wrote in message 
news:mn.b4737d865f5db1be.86812@NOSPAM.tiscali.co.uk...
> Mike wrote :
>> Is there some sort of gadget or "trick of the trade" which I am missing - 
>> I never knew it could be so difficult to change a light bulb!
>
> Is the rear of the fitting open?

Unfortunately no. There are two types of fitting - one is flush with the 
caravan ceiling in the style of a " down lighter" so the rear of the fitting 
is not visible. The others are on adjustable "stalks" with no access from 
the rear.

>
> Perhaps pull or unscrew the complete fitting out and use a thin blade 
> between lamp and socket to pry the two apart.
>
> -- 
> Regards,
>        Harry (M1BYT) (L)
> http://www.ukradioamateur.co.uk
>
>

On Sun, 22 Jun 2008 20:08:39 +0100, Mary Fisher wrote:

> "Mike"  wrote in message
> news:jKs7k.121766$M63.15972@newsfe13.ams2...
>> One or two of the "spot light" bulbs have required replacement in my
>> caravan, 

........snip........

> There's a special tool, I saw one the other day but can't remember where
> ... I'll ask Spouse.
> 
> Mary
>>

IKEA
I got one with a light fitting, they may sell them separately as spares.
Otherwise do they still sell darts with suckers in cheap toy shops?
JG

I don't know but I have a similar arrangement in a sewing machine and I 
bought a little rubber type of sucker cup which grips the bulb and it works 
like magic, I suspect electrical shops would sell something similar.
Liz

"Mike"  wrote in message 
news:jKs7k.121766$M63.15972@newsfe13.ams2...
> One or two of the "spot light" bulbs have required replacement in my 
> caravan, which has proved to be extremely difficult to do.
>
> The bulbs in question are GZ4 Halogen Bulbs 10w, 12v, 35x35 dicroic - they 
> have two simple wire prongs at the back which simply push into the light 
> fitting; which can be quite difficult to align when refitting a new bulb.
>
> However, the real problem I have is getting the old bulb out of the light 
> fitting without damaging the fitting or breaking the old bulb, leaving 
> some in situ. The bulbs have a flat face which fits flush with the surface 
> of the light fitting so there is nothing to get hold of to pull it out.
>
> Is there some sort of gadget or "trick of the trade" which I am missing - 
> I never knew it could be so difficult to change a light bulb!
>
> Many thanks.

On Jul 6, 11:56 pm, "Liz Hall"  wrote:
> I don't know but I have a similar arrangement in a sewing machine and I
> bought a little rubber type of sucker cup which grips the bulb and it works
> like magic, I suspect electrical shops would sell something similar.
> Liz

Try this tool
http://www.justoffbase.co.uk/240mm-Double-Ended-Valve-Grinding-Stick-10409-Draper-9902
It's meant for valve grinding but you get 2 suckers for the price of
1.

John