Suggestions for loosening the glass globe on barn light bullet fixture?

[IFG]

I need to change the bulb on this fixture. We removed the lock nuts, the cage is loose, but I cannot remove the glass globe.

https://in.pinterest.com/pin/197806608606733376/

I did it on the other one a few years ago. I remember it was a pain, but I cannot remember how I loosened the glass globe. Suggestions?

[Guilherme]

[QUOTE=IFG;8830445]
I need to change the bulb on this fixture. We removed the lock nuts, the cage is loose, but I cannot remove the glass globe.

https://in.pinterest.com/pin/197806608606733376/

I did it on the other one a few years ago. I remember it was a pain, but I cannot remember how I loosened the glass globe. Suggestions?[/QUOTE]

Perhaps a “strap wrench” like this http://www.homedepot.com/b/Tools-Hardware-Hand-Tools-Wrenches-Strap-Wrenches/N-5yc1vZc6f0

If the fixture is very solid you might need only one. If the fixture is not solid you might need two.

G.

[macmtn]

wd40

[IFG]

Guilherme, should have been more specific. Cage spins, but does not come off. So strap wrench won’t work. Macmtn, I was thinking Pam. Hate to use WD40 in the barn.

So mad at myself that I cannot remember how I did it last time.

[Huntin_Pony]

Use slightly diluted dish soap in a spray bottle. “Rock” the stuck item (cage or globe) back and forth to work the soap into the threads.

[Hilary]

So your cage is not supposed to come off? I think it does, but it’s not a straight screw/unscrew - there are slots so when it’s turned just right it will come off. I always forget how they work as well! I usually spend several minutes trying to remember how it works and eventually I wiggle it just right and it comes off and reminds me. But of course I haven’t changed them in a while so I can’t remember exactly and be of real help here.

Then the glass globes then take a strong but gentle twist and they are a regular screw top type of attachment.

[IFG]

[QUOTE=Hilary;8830816]
So your cage is not supposed to come off? I think it does, but it’s not a straight screw/unscrew - there are slots so when it’s turned just right it will come off. I always forget how they work as well! I usually spend several minutes trying to remember how it works and eventually I wiggle it just right and it comes off and reminds me. But of course I haven’t changed them in a while so I can’t remember exactly and be of real help here.

Then the glass globes then take a strong but gentle twist and they are a regular screw top type of attachment.[/QUOTE]

I need to get the old trough in there upside down and fuss with it. Doesn’t help that I was standing on a ladder freaked that I would fall and break my other leg (fell getting on my horse from my trailer in Jan 2015 and destroyed my left leg :()

@Huntin' Pony;8830813

Use slightly diluted dish soap in a spray bottle. “Rock” the stuck item (cage or globe) back and forth to work the soap into the threads.

I like this idea–thanks!

[Hilary]

Yes! Standing on something that is secure and tall enough that you aren’t reaching overhead is important. I think we ‘broke’ our knees/legs at about the same time - no repeats!

[IFG]

[QUOTE=Hilary;8830904]
Yes! Standing on something that is secure and tall enough that you aren’t reaching overhead is important. I think we ‘broke’ our knees/legs at about the same time - no repeats![/QUOTE]

Yup! I thought that you were getting repaired about the same time.

[gumtree]

By the looks of the picture they appear to be the same that I have in my barn. Though there are slight variations depending on brand. I have several different brands that were installed at different times.

But they are all the same when comes to replacing a bulb. The cage screws/twists off the outer threaded ring of the fixture. Just like screws twist it counter clockwise.

Some cages clamp on with a screw clamp at the base or 1 or 2 on the sides of the cage.

The glob twists off the same way. Even though the fixture is aluminium and doesn’t “rust” it can and does get stuck on when not taken off for a long time. It can oxidize and acts like rust.

My globes get stuck also and are difficult to unscrew. Mine are very thick glass so you can apply a lot of torque.

Ever since the first time it was a PITA to get the cages and globes off I apply or spray some oil on the threads before reinstalling everything.

Not sure why you are opposed to using W-D in the barn. Pretty harmless stuff, not a lot needed. Use the “straw” that comes with it to direct the spray into the joints with little to no over spray. That’s what it is for.

Personally I prefer PB Blaster. I find it much better than W-D for loosening stuck metal things.

These days there is no reason to use hot incandescent bulbs. Using low voltage bulbs saves money. They don’t get hot which is a large part of “things” getting stuck.

Low voltage covered or not will never get hot enough to cause a fire if dust and or cobwebs cover them.

These must be mounted pretty high if falling off a ladder may lead to a broken leg. I’ve come off plenty of bucking horses and was at least 8+ feet off the ground. Have yet to brake anything.

[snowrider]

The cage looks like you twist it 1/2" counter clockwise to get it off, then unscrew the glass globe like a jar lid.

In the photo you posted you can see where the cage comes off with a slight counter clockwise twist, there are tabs and slots in the metal base of the cage (slots) and tabs on the metal base of the fixture.

I don’t think the screws do anything as far as changing the lightbulbs, they are holding the whole assembly onto the light fixture base.