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CFL bulb socket insert -- how to remove? — Brooklynian

CFL bulb socket insert -- how to remove?

sweet tea
sweet tea
edited November -1 in The Lounge / Random Stuff
i want to replace some of the CFLs that the brooklyn free lighting project installed with incandescent bulbs. (i know that i'm a terrible person, but they've already burned out and i'm tired of feeling suicidal in my grim bathroom if i don't let them warm up for 15 minutes before i go in there.) these are the globe-shaped ones in the bathroom mirror fixture.

when the BFP guy put the cfls in, he put a little plastic insert into the socket and assured me it would be easy to remove if i wanted incandescents again. but i can't figure out how to get it out. it has a three-part pinwheel look to it, and i remember that the guy who put them in just punched them in place with a ball point pen.

anyone know how to get them out?

Comments

  • MOD
    MOD
    Papi is the resident lighting expert. Do you have a pic of it to post? He'll need to see what you are talking about.
  • anastasia beaverhausen
    anastasia beaverhausen
    Needle nosed pliers. With the electricity off, of course.
  • modsquad
    modsquad
    There is no such thing as a free gift! Those inserts are meant to prevent theft of the more expensive CFLs and replacement with cheaper incandescent bulbs. Primarily used in hotels and public places, in this case they are probably intended to keep people from switching back to their old bad habits.
    Similiar to old Fustats, a screw in fuse that had a insert that prevented the insertion of different size fuses, they are a pain to remove without damaging the socket. AB is right about the needle nose pliers and a hammer to extract. I find a bottle of Jack will ease the pain when you forget to turn off the electricity. Enjoy!
  • sweet tea
    sweet tea
    thanks, y'all. got 'em out, thanks to you -- i had had no luck with google.

    total pain, though. you are correct.
  • doctorj
    doctorj
    Weird thing is: I've heard about this, but BFLP didn't put any plastic inserts in any of our sockets. Either that, or they haven't been effective and I could just screw in a new one and get it to work without removing the invisible insert.
  • sweet tea
    sweet tea
    lucky you. you would have noticed these.
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