Detatching downlight fittings from underneath.

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › Detatching downlight fittings from underneath.

rossmcm

111 posts

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#291886 11-Dec-2021 16:01

I need to replace a transformer for a 12V halogen downlight. The construction of the roof makes this impossible from above the ceiling space so I'm faced with withdrawing the fitting from below, in the assumption that I can draw the transformer through the hole and replace it.

My fear is that I won't be able to get the fitting out without irreversible damage to the Gib. Has anybody met fittings like the ones in the photos, and is there a procedure/trick for releasing the spring-loaded wings?

smcc

206 posts

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#2830427 11-Dec-2021 16:17

You can just pry and pull them down, those arms are spring-loaded. to put them (or new ones back) after wiring in (power off of course) just pinch the arms upright and push the fitting up into the hole until they snap down.

itxtme

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#2830525 11-Dec-2021 22:09

They are made to be serviced from below. Watch a Youtube video on how to pull them out

robjg63

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#2830551 12-Dec-2021 09:51

Yes - they should pull out from below, but you are right to be concerned about damage to the Gib. Those metal clips do tend to chew against the edge of the hole.

Hopefully the lights below have a reasonable sized flange to cover the edges of the hole in the ceiling and any damage to the hole when you remove the fitting.

This guy has made a tool - You could probably cut a plastic strip from a bit of old milk bottle/ice cream container and poke that up in area between the fitting clip and the Gib.

Probably dont need to cut the little slots in it like he has done.

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

rossmcm

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#2830566 12-Dec-2021 10:21

Thanks - was there supposed to be a link you were referring to?

mattwnz

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#2830888 12-Dec-2021 17:29

Often the hole gets munted from the clips, where previous tradespeople have pulled them out to do work/painting etc . Some clips are very strong. It isn't the greatest design, I have seen a far better types that don't need springs but instead uses a external sleeve that slides into the ceiling cavity and rigid supports.

robjg63

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#2830996 12-Dec-2021 21:07

This was the video I referred to.

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

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mattwnz

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#2831046 12-Dec-2021 22:37

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkbkGKL-hkM

mattwnz

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#2831048 12-Dec-2021 22:47

This is how most are removed https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdbSMmJAEWc How much nicer and safer would it be if they did this more in NZ, where you can just replace it by plugging it in to an outlet in the ceiling cavity like this. IMO maybe they should make this mandatory in NZ

andrewNZ

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#2831059 12-Dec-2021 23:23

mattwnz:
This is how most are removed https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdbSMmJAEWc How much nicer and safer would it be if they did this more in NZ, where you can just replace it by plugging it in to an outlet in the ceiling cavity like this. IMO maybe they should make this mandatory in NZ

The majority of fittings come with a plug now.

mattwnz

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#2831061 12-Dec-2021 23:28

andrewNZ:
mattwnz:

This is how most are removed How much nicer and safer would it be if they did this more in NZ, where you can just replace it by plugging it in to an outlet in the ceiling cavity like this. IMO maybe they should make this mandatory in NZ

The majority of fittings come with a plug now.

Not the ones I have recently had installed on a new build. The driver was separate and the sparky wired the mains cable into them. Maybe there are more of these all in one units now as shown in that vid, but the downside could be that if the driver fails you may have to replace the whole fitting? I have had a few drivers fail , so only the driver needed replacing, it seems the LEDs themselves are pretty reliable, the drivers seem to be the more likely part that fails..

sparkz25

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#2831062 12-Dec-2021 23:30

mattwnz:

This is how most are removed https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdbSMmJAEWc

That video is the simplest way of removing the downlight, the previous one where the guy made a tool looks to be a PITA.

mattwnz:

How much nicer and safer would it be if they did this more in NZ, where you can just replace it by plugging it into an outlet in the ceiling cavity like this. IMO maybe they should make this mandatory in NZ

For a couple of dollars per Surface socket its def worth it, but some sparkies don't think of the scenario "if I have to come back I want to make my life easier" just the same way that the older generation and some of the newer sparkies are getting tight and only leave enough cable at the switch, light fitting or socket outlet to connect it up!

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mattwnz

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#2831064 12-Dec-2021 23:33

sparkz25:

That video is the simplest way of removing the downlight, the previous one where the guy made a tool looks to be a PITA.

I think that tool is if the fitting gets jambed as shown in teh vid. But I have never come across that problem.

sparkz25

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#2831065 12-Dec-2021 23:39

mattwnz:

I think that tool is if the fitting gets jambed as shown in teh vid. But I have never come across that problem.

If the downlight gets a little bit stuck as they tend to with the older Halogen downlights with this style clip

That tool won't work on this clip as it will be too soft being plastic and just a bit of capping, you just need to get your fingers in there and try to pry the clip apart to get the light out without taking out the ceiling as you remove the fitting.