How do I change this down light LED bulb, or is it a sealed unit?

[giftedmidfielder]

Hi,

I need to change a bulb in on of my hallway down lights. I cannot for the life of me figure out how to get the bulb out.

Any ideas, or is this a sealed unit?

Image attached.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

They are almost all, sealed units. Just source a new unit.

 

[giftedmidfielder]

They are almost all, sealed units. Just source a new unit.

Wouldn't it make more sense for them not to be sealed units so that bulbs can be replaced?

 

[EFLImpudence]

This bit looks like it would release the clear plastic part but I have no idea what the inside is like.

 

[giftedmidfielder]

This bit looks like it would release the clear plastic part but I have no idea what the inside is like.

View attachment 341811

Yep, I've tried to ease the cap off with a small screwdriver levering it around that bit. It just feels like it's going to snap off.

 

[EFLImpudence]

Fair enough.

 

[aveatry]

Wouldn't it make more sense for them not to be sealed units so that bulbs can be replaced?

Yes it would and its something that really annoys me - all this eco bol## what is the environmental point of a completely throwaway unit.

If it is dead then here is no harm in trying it and forcing it open - best turn off the power first though.

 

[foxhole]

There are many units taking bulbs probably more than sealed units.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Wouldn't it make more sense for them not to be sealed units so that bulbs can be replaced?

In the conventional sense, they are not 'bulbs', besides they last a very long time, so it seems sensible to swap the entire module out, rather than repair. Repairing them, isn't out of the question - I have done it, but you need some electronics skill, the test equipment, and access to the spare parts.

If you want them easy-swap, so you can swap the 'bulb', you can do that too, but you buy a design like that at the initial stage, and they are nowhere near as compact, or cheap.

 

[aveatry]

In the conventional sense, they are not 'bulbs', besides they last a very long time, so it seems sensible to swap the entire module out, rather than repair. Repairing them, isn't out of the question - I have done it, but you need some electronics skill, the test equipment, and access to the spare parts.

If you want them easy-swap, so you can swap the 'bulb', you can do that too, but you buy a design like that at the initial stage, and they are nowhere near as compact, or cheap.

Replaceable bulb ones are cheaper in the long run as only need to change the bulb. And also useful if you are not sure how bright the Lm will be in your room, so having a unit with a separate bulb means you can experiment with different wattages and also colour.
And other than perhaps a 24 month guarantee there is no guarantee the unit will last as long as they say it will.
Also you will have a spare bulb somewhere and you are back up and running again.
Also you will have to make sure the new unit is going to fit your hole
Also you have to do some electrical work to fit a new one.
Sealed units are rubbish IMO

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Replaceable bulb ones are cheaper in the long run as only need to change the bulb.

They are a hangover, from the days of tungsten lamps, which would last just a few hundred hours. Any decent LED lamp will likely last decades, given it has an adequate design, and installation. It's always prudent, to buy a spare module, or two anyway.

 

[aveatry]

It's always prudent, to buy a spare module, or two anyway.

It then defeats the object of them being "cheaper than replaceable blub units " I don't get why someone thought sealed units were ever a good idea - for recessed spotlights anyway.

 

[giftedmidfielder]

Yes it would and its something that really annoys me - all this eco bol## what is the environmental point of a completely throwaway unit.

If it is dead then here is no harm in trying it and forcing it open - best turn off the power first though.

Thanks, and good point. Nothing to lose by taking it apart.

 

[giftedmidfielder]

Replaceable bulb ones are cheaper in the long run as only need to change the bulb. And also useful if you are not sure how bright the Lm will be in your room, so having a unit with a separate bulb means you can experiment with different wattages and also colour.
And other than perhaps a 24 month guarantee there is no guarantee the unit will last as long as they say it will.
Also you will have a spare bulb somewhere and you are back up and running again.
Also you will have to make sure the new unit is going to fit your hole
Also you have to do some electrical work to fit a new one.
Sealed units are rubbish IMO

I agree with everything you said.

 

[giftedmidfielder]

They are almost all, sealed units. Just source a new unit.

Yep, I think this will probably be what happens.