Billed 260CHF to change a light bulb! - Page 4

Castro · #61 20.12.2020, 20:31

	Quote:	mikedragos
	reviving this old thread, as I have similar issue in the kitchen. The neon bulb is gone, and it seems impossible to remove the plastic cover without breaking it. The connectors on sides as well as the top holder seem totally fixed - unmovable. The plastic can just slightly be bended inside but any further move would obviously break it. All seems so strongly glued (or screwed?) to the tiles that there is simply no space even for a screwdriver to place behind the connectors, or the plastic cover (in order to push it from backwards...). Any ideas where to start, or the only option is to call the agency?

If it were me I would replace with a more modern LED under-counter light, then it doesn't matter if you break it trying to get to the tube. I've replaced quite a few ancient florescent light rails and as long as you power down from the fuse box its simple.

You can always fire an email to the agency to ask if you can replace a fluorescent light with a more efficient LED one, I doubt they would object.

st2lemans · #62 20.12.2020, 20:37

	Quote:	me.anon
	Sometimes you have to rotate the tube through, say, 90 degrees to extract it.

I have yet to see one where you don't.

Tom

Mrs. Doolittle · #63 21.12.2020, 00:19

	Quote:	Castro
	If it were me I would replace with a more modern LED under-counter light, then it doesn't matter if you break it trying to get to the tube. I've replaced quite a few ancient florescent light rails and as long as you power down from the fuse box its simple. You can always fire an email to the agency to ask if you can replace a fluorescent light with a more efficient LED one, I doubt they would object.

I am in the midst of changing all the old undercabinet lights to LED. It wasn't my intention but one light broke and it was part of a series. A compatible product was not available so I found I had a new project.

Many of the newer models have an integrated bulb which cannot be changed. Also, the bulbs are generally covered which is better in the kitchen.

Now, for the problem recently posted. Looking at the pic I can't say for sure how the bulb is removed but one trick I found useful is to take a small thin mirror and see if you can look behind the light, just to be sure the tube isn't just inserted and turned from there. It's unlikely.

If the entire fixture is broken the property manager/owner should replace it if it was there when you moved in.

BoredToDeath · #64 21.12.2020, 10:54

No one expects to be Switzerlanded, but it happens to all of us sooner or later.

Tom1234 · #65 21.12.2020, 12:06

'Billed 260CHF to change a light bulb'

Shouldn't this be in the "I found a deal/bargain" thread..."?

Urs Max · #66 21.12.2020, 13:14

The picture shows two "tongues" at the back that disappear into the cabinets, they may be what the lamp is screwed onto. Can they be accessed/unscrewed from inside the cabinets?

aSwissInTheUS · #67 21.12.2020, 13:57

	Quote:	mikedragos
	so am better of asking Regie to check...

No, no, no. Do not ask the regie "to check"

ask the regie for instructions how it is done.

Dandy · #68 21.12.2020, 21:14

I really do not understand the whole excitement...

As an average expat with 200K income:

https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/living-...life-/45480188

it shoud be possible to pay it out of the petty cash, so why bother? Are we so stingy?

#69 22.12.2020, 02:09

	Quote:
	I've come across identical looking lights in the past and always, eventually found a way to allow the left or right end piece to slide away from the main part, allowing the tube to be removed. Persevere, I'm almost certain this is how it will work. As someone already pointed out, there may be a tab of some sort holding it in place, so look at each end closely, use your camera if necessary, to see what looks differenti between the two end.

	Quote:	Anjela
	Do you have a concierge for your building? They might not be based in your block, and cover several buildings, so check in the foyer if there's a contact number on the notice board or a mention in the contract. Otherwise ring the regie, explaining that you'll willing to do the work yourself but as the light fitting is old you're worried it will break. Emphasise that you're not asking for a technician to be sent, but advice on a problem.

	Quote:	doropfiz
	Yes, ask the caretaker what to do. Alternatively, if you have neighbours, especially some who have lived there for years, ask them. They may know the trick.

	Quote:	me.anon
	That tube does look a bit dark, but also the starter could have failed. Replace it at the same time with one having a similar specification. Those plastic end caps are probably under spring tension and will pull apart allowing the tube to, well, drop on the floor unless you have three hands. Sometimes you have to rotate the tube through, say, 90 degrees to extract it.

	Quote:	Castro
	If it were me I would replace with a more modern LED under-counter light, then it doesn't matter if you break it trying to get to the tube. I've replaced quite a few ancient florescent light rails and as long as you power down from the fuse box its simple. You can always fire an email to the agency to ask if you can replace a fluorescent light with a more efficient LED one, I doubt they would object.

	Quote:	Urs Max
	The picture shows two "tongues" at the back that disappear into the cabinets, they may be what the lamp is screwed onto. Can they be accessed/unscrewed from inside the cabinets?

thanks all again for your good advices. Just briefly, tried it all and to no avail. Checked also inside cabinets, no, there is nothing that could indicate how it can be released from the inside. In my case, it is always the regie and not concierge, and they would not bother giving any instructions. They simply issue a voucher for a company to come and check, and normally tenants are never charged; admittedly I never asked them to change the bulb... so yes, will mention in an email how best this can be resolved, and if they would have instructions, but am sure they will simply issue a voucher...

Will let you know how it went, eventually.

Phil_MCR · #70 22.12.2020, 12:03

try one of these:

1. if the fitting is spring loaded: push the tube along its own length to give enough room to pull it out

2. if the fitting is a twist one: twist the tube until it unlocks and then slide out

Mrs. Doolittle · #71 22.12.2020, 19:37

I think they have given up. Me? I persevere.

#72 23.12.2020, 22:43

	Quote:	Phil_MCR
	try one of these: 1. if the fitting is spring loaded: push the tube along its own length to give enough room to pull it out 2. if the fitting is a twist one: twist the tube until it unlocks and then slide out

that's not (yet) an issue - i can't even reach the tube; it is a plastic cover that needs to be removed first and is like stuck between the two connectors on the sides; which don't move. At least not without breaking them...

st2lemans · #73 23.12.2020, 22:46

Use a bigger hammer.

Tom

Phil_MCR · #74 23.12.2020, 22:46

	Quote:	mikedragos
	that's not (yet) an issue - i can't even reach the tube; it is a plastic cover that needs to be removed first and is like stuck between the two connectors on the sides; which don't move. At least not without breaking them...

does it slide from side to side?

or can you squeeze the top to unclip it from the frame and allow it to drop down?

#75 25.12.2020, 12:22

	Quote:	Phil_MCR
	does it slide from side to side? or can you squeeze the top to unclip it from the frame and allow it to drop down?

No and no. As already explained, and as seen in the photo, two connectors/covers on the side are firm/fixed. The top holder also firm/fixed. Plastic inserted in the connectors on the sides and in the top holder. Does not move. It bends by like 1-2mm, far away from being able to slide either way.
It can't be clipped either as you can't get behind it; the plastic cover is firmly touching the tiles behind, so where the curve ends the tile starts.

Mrs. Doolittle · #76 25.12.2020, 18:23

	Quote:	st2lemans
	Use a bigger hammer. Tom

At this point that is what I would do. Just break it to get to the screws. Turn off the power to the kitchen first. I have an undercabinet light which the previous owner left here in the cellar, along with a ton of other stuff. (That's for another thread, house not emptied before you move in). It doesn't look used and you are more than welcome to it if you are willing to pay the postage (chf 7). I can post a picture of it along with the dimensions.

Phil_MCR · #77 06.01.2021, 16:08

	Quote:	mikedragos
	No and no. As already explained, and as seen in the photo, two connectors/covers on the side are firm/fixed. The top holder also firm/fixed. Plastic inserted in the connectors on the sides and in the top holder. Does not move. It bends by like 1-2mm, far away from being able to slide either way. It can't be clipped either as you can't get behind it; the plastic cover is firmly touching the tiles behind, so where the curve ends the tile starts.

I was referring to the bulb and not the cover. Sometimes the bulbs are held in a spring loaded fashion and you can get them out by pushing it along the axis. I had another one where the bulb rotated (to lock and unlock).

MajorGrubert · #78 19.02.2021, 08:29

	Quote:	mikedragos
	reviving this old thread, as I have similar issue in the kitchen. The neon bulb is gone, and it seems impossible to remove the plastic cover without breaking it. The connectors on sides as well as the top holder seem totally fixed - unmovable. The plastic can just slightly be bended inside but any further move would obviously break it. All seems so strongly glued (or screwed?) to the tiles that there is simply no space even for a screwdriver to place behind the connectors, or the plastic cover (in order to push it from backwards...). Any ideas where to start, or the only option is to call the agency?

I would like to know how it ended up, as I'm in a similar situation with a kitchen counter tube. In my case, I have found plastic tabs on either side, but pushing them in did nothing.

erchegyia · #79 19.02.2021, 09:40

	Quote:	MajorGrubert
	I would like to know how it ended up, as I'm in a similar situation with a kitchen counter tube. In my case, I have found plastic tabs on either side, but pushing them in did nothing.

It seems like the dirt is holding it together pretty well. Have you tried cleaning it? I mean... ever?

#80 19.02.2021, 10:02

	Quote:	MajorGrubert
	I would like to know how it ended up, as I'm in a similar situation with a kitchen counter tube. In my case, I have found plastic tabs on either side, but pushing them in did nothing.

Once you press the tab it should allow the whole end part to slide away (to the left in your picture). A build-up of dirt may inhibit movement, either of the sliding end cap or the tab release itself, so try _gently_ pressing and releasing, moving left and right, a number of time to help free it up.