Anyone for Lightbulbs!

Has anyone tried to replace any of the downlighters in the bathrooms yet?

This can be a headache if you're replacing them for the first time.

Now, how many of you know that there are actually (except in 3 cases), 2 versions of each house. That's right 2 of each, both look identical but the fittings are totally different.

One of each type has been designated the 'first'. I'm in the 'first' Thames. And in the first of each they were fitted with super efficient fittings (bulbs, etc). This was to fall in line with the councils green energy policy - or something like that. Each of the 'first' houses were equiped and then inspected by the council. After that any second or third houses has sensible fitments installed.

So those in the 'first' houses have an issue when replacing a light bulb. The bathroom downlighters have fitments made by TP24, I believe they are the RIO version. TP24 have done a clever thing and made them so only TP24 bulbs fit them. Now you can get these by mail order from www.tp24.com, but that's a pain.

Alternatively you can get different makes from high street outlets, Habitat, B&Q, etc. But these don't appear to fit (in the first houses). You can make them fit though.

Either:
           Stick a pair of long-nose pliars into the fitment and break off a small plastic pin that sits right in the middle.
Or
           Get out your drill and drill a small recess into the case of the bulb between the 2 metal prongs that connect to the electric contacts.

Both options work, i've tried them both, my facorite is to get rid of the pin though so anyone can then replace the bulb without having to be Handy Manny.

(For those of you without children, Handy Manny is a cartoon character on the Disney channel, who goes around sheet-rock hills with his trusty tools as a general handy man.)