Lighting, Light Fixtures, Ceiling and Exhaust Fans - Replacing Ceiling Fan light bulb - PhD required

Hey guys,

I"m trying to replace a burnt out light bulb in my ceiling fan. I simply cannot understand how to gain access to the light bulb! I moved into this apartment and no manual was left for this ceiling fan. The only serial # associated with this fan is E75795. I tried squeezing the globe and unscrewing it to see if it would release...to no avail. The globe must come off somehow. Everything is basically one piece. Any suggestions. Below are the pics. I know it cant be this difficult.

http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/1317/ceilingfan1pf4.jpg

http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/5972/ceilingfan2rg7.jpg

Some car light bulbs have a cylinder base with two prongs sticking out either side. To get them out you need to push and twist, then pull out streight.

This is most likely the same in reverse. It is the globe that has the indents, (etched into the glass) and the fixture that has the prongs.

Try pushing up just a bit while you twist the entire globe. I do not remember if it is to the right or left. Try both.

Good luck.

Please post back with the results.

I just installed one that is similar to this one. Reach up and over the globe rim to feel the bulbs. There are probably 3 bulbs, with candelabra base. It would help to have a dental mirror to help find them. Installing mine were like doing in Braille.

Thanks for the replies. I tried pushing the globe up and twisting left and right but nothing gives. I am able to look over the rim but its basically flush and doesnt have any bulbs in view. Should I even try and attempt to pry the globe from the fixture? The globe doesnt have any indents. My fingers ache! The picture below shows that I unscrewed the light portion of the fan (electrical wires can be seen. They prevent the light portion from coming off completely) and unscrewed a rather useless bolt. Any other ideas?

http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/6338/photo0199qg4.jpg

Ok I may be wrong.

What is that thing, bottom left of the picture. do those screws come out?

The thing your talking about contains the wire that I pull down to turn on the light. I can take out the screws....but I doubt it will help....but I'll do it anyway. Why must life be so difficult!

I am still leaning toward, twist the globe, or twist the ring between the globe and housing.

that is probably a Hampton Bay fan light. they are sold at home depot.

the web site gives no tech info.

Well guys,

The lightbulb has been replaced. How? I dont know. I finally had to drop my ego and get the maintenance guys to do it. wasnt home when they did it so I'm not sure what happened. I'll be sure to ask them how they did it. I'll report back with the answer.

I would sure like to know. Please do post back.

I finally bumped into my maintenance guy and he told me how he did it. He told me he had problems as well (getting the globe off). He had to put on rubber gloves and turn the globe clockwise. The globe has a very smooth surface and is impossible to turn with bare hands because you cant get a grip on it. The solution was simple, the implementation took some effort....hehe.

Thanks for all your help though,

Eug

I hate to say I told ya.......

I won't say it...

After he told me how to do it, I tried it out myself. I almost gave up trying to get the globe off even with the gloves on! Finally, the globe came off. I'm gonna run down to home depot and buy brighter bulbs. Maybe I'll buy those twisted fluorescent bulbs. I need more light!

I have expereinced this on a couple of projects in the past and have also heard it from some lighting distributors. When the lamps heat up the glass lense it expands and nearly "fuses" its self to the metal housing. A lot of people end up breaking the lense in the process of removing it.

Swithcing to fluorescents should help to recitfy this issue as they obviousl do not produce as much heat as incandecent.... not to mention the benefits of the savings in eneregy.

Thank you, damnlightbulb and Hooty. I had tried a number of times over the past year to remove the globe on my Hampton Bay ceiling fan, to no avail. And those dead bugs in it kept accumulating. The heat was the key. After the light had been off overnight to let it cool, the globe unscrewed on the first try - I didn't even need rubber gloves.