Installing a light bulb

[NWOhioChevyGuy]

OK 2.5 years ago I installed a CFL dusk-to-dawn light on the power pole next to our garage. When installing it I had a man lift and it was placed way up on the pole to light the pool area and the yard where the animals are.

Well that same winter it quite working and I figured the cheap China **** bit me again. Fast forward to this winter and a very bad wind storm and the bulb cam falling out of the fixture. I suspect it was not tight when the electrician installed it and vibrated loose thus quite working.

Now onto my issue, how do I replace the bulb? It is a E39 screw in base CFL with 4-5 tubes on it.

Not fancying an extension ladder against the pole as mine is not tall enough but may have to borrow one. How does one brace a ladder against a pole?

BTW this pole is also my overhead power feed with transformer.

 

[pattenp]

Use a climbing tree stand.

 

[NWOhioChevyGuy]

That would work if it was just a pole & light. (I like by the way)

But I have a transformer, meter panel and two runs of conduit on the pole, so its not an option.

 

[Rookie2]

call it junk and install a new one at a height you can get to.

 

[NWOhioChevyGuy]

It was new when installed, and The wife likes the way it lights the area, it is at this height so it lights the yard over and behind the garage.

I wish it was that easy.

 

[Rod N]

2 people holding the ladder and a small person going up it.
Don't you have kids? lol

 

[Fishplate]

Rent a small cherry picker or scissor lift. Same way you got it up there the first time.

How high is it?

 

[pattenp]

You need this......

http://www.laddersafetysolutions.com/safetclaw.html

 

[dankicksass]

Do those lamp installer claws for broom sticks and extension poles work? I know I've seen them at HD...

 

[pepi]

Do those lamp installer claws for broom sticks and extension poles work? I know I've seen them at HD...

Bingo ! that's the ticket

 

[NWOhioChevyGuy]

yeah the extension ladder "claw" posted above would work but probably costs more than renting the lift.

I don't recall the exact height of the lamp but put it at probably 25-30 feet.

The pole extension things are a potential solution, but I am not too keen on putting a $30 bulb into something that may break it.

Thanks for helping brainstorm ideas.

 

[Rookie2]

maybe call an electric service company, most have bucket trucks. A driver could catch you on the way home from another job and you would not be banged for a full service call. Worth a try.

 

[NWOhioChevyGuy]

Thanks for kicking around idea's, once Mother nature has the white stuff gone I will probably have the lift brought over

Unless I find a gent with a bucket truck that can reach from the driveway.

 

[lessersivad]

Thanks for kicking around idea's, once Mother nature has the white stuff gone I will probably have the lift brought over

Unless I find a gent with a bucket truck that can reach from the driveway.

Get hold of Pete's Tree Service over in Canadagua. Last i knew he still has his bucket truck.

 

[ddawg16]

Or.....go take a case of beer to your local fire department....and then ask for a favor.....before they drink the beer.

 

[dankicksass]

Or.....go take a case of beer to your local fire department....and then ask for a favor.....before they drink the beer.

Beer is the wise man's friend.

 

[Thumper68]

This isn't rocket science, Get a ladder and put it against said pole climb ladder and replace bulb.

Then again if it were me I would ******** my gaffs and belt and climb the pole and replace the bulb.

 

[Bronson]

I thought this was going to be one of those, " A Jew, A Baptist, a Rabbi and a Electrician walk into a dark Bar" things.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

BTW this pole is also my overhead power feed with transformer.

The issue I see with this, is that if the transformer is mounted on it, the power company placed the pole, and owns it (even if you "paid" for the pole, its theirs) and Power Companies take a dim view of stuff being mounted on their poles that they did not install and they do not own.

If the POCO comes out for any reason, its quite possible they will remove the light completely.

Charles

 

[NWOhioChevyGuy]

A light of some sort has been on this pole for a LONG time, the one I replaced was atleast 30 years old.

Yes the pole is theirs and I had discussions with them about moving it as it is over our pool area. Pool installed in the 60's way before I owned the property and they wanted $3k to move it and hook up a buried service.

That being said, they are out multiple times a year to service the lines due to wind damage or what not. No issues thus far, so I don't think it will be a problem in the future.

 

[jhelrey]

Put an extension ladder up. Climb up it. Ratchet strap it to the pole at the top. Work away. When done, remove strap, climb down.

Don't over-think it!

 

[Jim_No_Garage]

A light of some sort has been on this pole for a LONG time, the one I replaced was atleast 30 years old.

Yes the pole is theirs and I had discussions with them about moving it as it is over our pool area. Pool installed in the 60's way before I owned the property and they wanted $3k to move it and hook up a buried service.

That being said, they are out multiple times a year to service the lines due to wind damage or what not. No issues thus far, so I don't think it will be a problem in the future.

Our retail location had a pair of flood lights mounted on the service pole for 20+ years. It was centrally located in the yard so they lit the parking lot and the storage yard perfectly. It only became an issue when they wanted to RENT us a light for the parking lot and we said we are fine - we have those lights.

About a week later we get a letter from the POCO saying get rid of the lights on their pole. We disconnected them but they are still on the pole another 10+ years later. Haven't heard from the POCO on the matter since after we told the commercial flood light salesman to beat it.

We can't hook them back up because they were sharing the power feed to the propane pumping station and we upgraded that to 220 from 110 and the lights aren't 220 capable.

Cheers

Jim

 

[NWOhioChevyGuy]

I will borrow a longer fiberglass ladder and enlist a helper and give the strap idea above a go.

Don't know why I am over thinking this I place my ladder stands this way all the time.
Must be the electrical issue that has me doing so.

When my bulb shows up I will give it a go.

 

[Rookie2]

Fiberglass ladder only !