Spotlights

[vickster]

I need to replace a spotlight in the kitchen and one in the bathroom. I've got a sparky coming to do something else on Friday and need to get the bulbs beforehand. Screwfix suggests there's a GU10 (they have lots of those) or GU5?
Thanks in advance if anyone knows what bulbs I need?

 

[sight-pin]

Think you'll need to pop a bulb out to look at the pins in both your bathroom and kitchen will be the only way to tell. You'll notice a spring clip that you need to squeeze in then the bulb will fall out hanging on a wire.
The GU5's are low voltage and just push in with straight pins, where as the 10's will need to twist out as they have nobbly bit on the end of the pins IINM:
I think the 10's can be mains voltage but not sure on that. Either way, take care and make sure your lights are switched Off before.

 

[midlife]

led bulbs last an awful lot longer too

 

[vickster]

led bulbs last an awful lot longer too

Thanks chaps

These have been out for quite some time (maybe a few years )...I'm thinking of moving hence trying to get them sorted. I'll see if I can get the bulbs out otherwise I'll get the sparky to remove. I might just get a selection of bulbs from Wilko and return whatever isn't needed

 

[vickster]

Well bathroom one came out really easily...kitchen next

 

[NickNick]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KIJqdboVIA


The above video might help, it covers most of the Halogen bulbs out there (incl. GU5 & 10) and how to remove the bulbs, there's a few different types, including the spring clip mentioned by sight-pin, there's also some that require the glass to be swivelled. You might be able to work out from the video which type of bulb it is without even taking them out.

 

[NickNick]

Well bathroom one came out really easily...kitchen next

That's a GU5

 

[bikingdad90]

Definitely not GU10. In the bathroom make sure you get a 38 degree bulb or else it will be a spotlight instead of a spread of light. The lower the degree the narrow the light.

 

[vickster]

Thanks, the video is 22 mins long!

I can't get the kitchen one out, there's no clip, but it seems to need to be pushed in and twisted but I can't do with my ropey wrist and get any purchase. I have a GU10 in the cupboard which would suggest that's the one

 

[NickNick]

Thanks, the video is 22 mins long!

I can't get the kitchen one out, there's no clip, but it seems to need to be pushed in and twisted but I can't do with my ropey wrist and get any purchase. I have a GU10 in the cupboard which would suggest that's the one

Don't watch it all, its in segments, flick through to you find the relevant one, then rewind back to the start of that section, its because it covers so many different types.

The twisty ones can be an absolute pig to remove, especially if they haven't been changed in ages and there's always the worry of breaking one of the little legs! I hate them with a passion.

 

[ColinJ]

I can't get the kitchen one out, there's no clip, but it seems to need to be pushed in and twisted but I can't do with my ropey wrist and get any purchase. I have a GU10 in the cupboard which would suggest that's the one

Definitely get LEDs rather than halogens! They use a fraction of the power and last (almost) forever. The halogen spotlights in my kitchen used to burn the bald spot on my head when I was standing under them to do the washing up (!) and they popped at regular intervals. Every time that one failed it knocked out the lighting circuit breaker.

 

[vickster]

I'm hoping to move this year so longevity not a major concern

 

[ColinJ]

I'm hoping to move this year so longevity not a major concern

My halogens were lasting months rather than years!

PS Ah - THIS year, not IN A year ...

 

[vickster]

Yes, I've found a house to buy but mine is a disaster and not on the market! Oh and I've really got no time to move...ah well I need a challenge

 

[vickster]

Wilko only had LED so got one Gu5 and one Gu10

Thanks for help