Need help ordering eyeball

[Walkers]

20 years ago we had an eyebal light installed above our fireplace. It is the type that pops out a bit and is adjustable to a fair arc and is halogen. It burned out the day before thanksgiving when the family was coming over, so my wife asked if I could fix it, so a friend of mine who is a retired electrician came over and popped in a trim he had on hand in that worked, but not really adjustable. He was going to order one but it keeps not happening and I don’t really want to trouble him further.
So, I go to HoDe and there are only LED units and no eyeballs. I look online and 50,0pp options but I have no idea what to pick. Presumably there is a transformer in the attic. Do I need to bypass that and install the LED? The bulb holder in the old one was what failed. I don’t really want another halogen bulb, but just don’t know what I need to do to change to the led.

thanks,

 

[Meursault74]

sorry I've got nothing, but I couldn't resist.

 

[whateg01]

There are fixtures that will take a bulb. Those you can put an led bulb in if you want. There are also fixtures that have a built in light. You can't replace those lights if one goes out so you'd have to replace the whole fixture again. Just decide which of those you prefer and buy one.

 

[Walkers]

I would prefer a whole new LED fixture, but I really don’t want to go up in the attic if I can avoid it.

 

[whateg01]

Maybe call a handyman?

 

[BillK]

a friend of mine who is a retired electrician came over and popped in a trim he had on hand in that worked, but not really adjustable.

When he did this did he have to go into the attic ? If not I don't see why you should have to to replace whatever he put in.

What makes you think there is a transformer in the attic ?

 

[whateg01]

Maybe he's confusing halogen with neon or florescent

 

[walta]

Just a guess but with a transformer it likely uses a 12 Volt bulb like the one in this photo. They run very hot and over time the socket the bulb plugs into fail from the heat the metal oxidizes and will not make a good connection so it gets even hotter and the connection gets worse. Wiggle it is it work for a while is common. Finding a new socket was almost impossible when they were common. Take some photos and search the net maybe it is out there. Post a few photos of the fixture maybe one of the new LED fixtures will fit in it place.

Walta

 

[cybrdyke]

There were so many different makes & models in the past, that we cant tell you exactly what you have, so we cant tell you exactly what to get. You can start by removing the trim. Grab each side of the trim ring and pull it downward. It should be tight, but give it a tug. The eyeball should pull down with it until it all comes out. The wires should be exposed. What's left should be some sort of cylinder or can. Depending on what's there, something like this can be used. There are many versions of this, so finding one that fits shouldn't be too hard.
Good luck,
CD

 

[Walkers]

Just a guess but with a transformer it likely uses a 12 Volt bulb like the one in this photo. They run very hot and over time the socket the bulb plugs into fail from the heat the metal oxidizes and will not make a good connection so it gets even hotter and the connection gets worse. Wiggle it is it work for a while is common. Finding a new socket was almost impossible when they were common. Take some photos and search the net maybe it is out there. Post a few photos of the fixture maybe one of the new LED fixtures will fit in it place.

Walta

That was the bulb. I was surprised at how ruined the holder was that the bulb was still good, but the holder was bad. He replaced the bulb holder, but lost the eyeball tilt function, and now there is nothing like it at Ho de. Not knowing what was in the attic I don’t know what to attach to it.

 

[walta]

It does not seem like you understand the bad socket get hot and damages the pins on the lamp. You replace the socket and reuse the old lamp with the now damaged pins and your new socket will quickly fail. You need to replace both the lamp and socket together.

It seems you can’t be bothered to post a photo of the fixture

Walta

 

[Walkers]

It does not seem like you understand the bad socket get hot and damages the pins on the lamp. You replace the socket and reuse the old lamp with the now damaged pins and your new socket will quickly fail. You need to replace both the lamp and socket together.

It seems you can’t be bothered to post a photo of the fixture

Walta

Since you seem to know it all, this is exactly not what I had and exactly not what I want. This was what was put in when my other one failed. I never said I didn’t replace the bulb as the bulb and socket come together as a unit, so not sure why you would put the old bulb in. So here is your picture, grace me with your wisdom.

 

[bronc076]

I would think all the wiring should be accessible through the hole in the ceiling and you should be able to remove the transformer. I see adjustible retrofit down lights on Home Depot's web site.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/NICOR-D..._xKeC0PW-RhsfqEOZMLhtnrNkDNldisZhEueGR6fqdUIA

I googled directional retrofit downlight as I have a light fixture similar that is just an old can light with a retrofit kit. Hope that helps.

 

[justsam]

Are there other similar low voltage lights in the house? They probably use a common transformer and fixture so more of these may be in your future. How often was this light used and required use of the "eyeball" function? If it is now repaired can it be set to your desired position. and stay there? They do make led bulbs for these fixtures which will produce less heat and damage to the sockets.

 

[dave*99]

I would think all the wiring should be accessible through the hole in the ceiling and you should be able to remove the transformer. I see adjustible retrofit down lights on Home Depot's web site.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/NICOR-D..._xKeC0PW-RhsfqEOZMLhtnrNkDNldisZhEueGR6fqdUIA

I googled directional retrofit downlight as I have a light fixture similar that is just an old can light with a retrofit kit. Hope that helps.

It has become comical to see the things listed as frequently bought together.

Be sure to get the proper hand towel dispenser when you order your light. Makes cleanup a breeze.

 

[Walkers]

Are there other similar low voltage lights in the house? They probably use a common transformer and fixture so more of these may be in your future. How often was this light used and required use of the "eyeball" function? If it is now repaired can it be set to your desired position. and stay there? They do make led bulbs for these fixtures which will produce less heat and damage to the sockets.

Every day use, so that means every day my wife turns it on and glares at me!