Try to fit a bloody fluorescent tube .......

[CivicMan]

This is driving me INSANE!!

I'm trying to fit new tubes to the fluorescent lights under my kitchen cabinets. Ok, the old ones came out with a bit of wiggling, but NOTHING I do seems to get the new ones back in. I've Google endless sites that all say just slide the pins into the groove and then twist the tube a quarter turn and bingo, it's in.

No it's not! The pins won't slide in completely, certainly won't turn and I'm getting crosser and crosser. I've got four in total to do as well.

Why is it so bloody fiddly????

Anyone on here got any advice? Or shall I just admit defeat and call in an electrician at a million quid an hour to fit them ........

[esselte]

MAybe the slots aren't in the right position to start off with?

[OJ]

Either the slots are at the wrong angle (they shift quite easily) or you've got the wrong tubes

[Simpo Two]

Look on the bright side - you can spell 'fluorescent'

Actually you can't look on the bright side because I expect it's all a bit dark under there right now

[GreatGranny]

Try removing one of them, might be able to see better.

On the large ones, the socket moves so you can fit the tubes if this helps.

[CivicMan]

Simpo Two said:

Look on the bright side - you can spell 'fluorescent'

Actually you can't look on the bright side because I expect it's all a bit dark under there right now

I'm keeping at it until my fingers bleed and darkness descends......

[esselte]

CivicMan said:

Simpo Two said:

Look on the bright side - you can spell 'fluorescent'

Actually you can't look on the bright side because I expect it's all a bit dark under there right now

I'm keeping at it until my fingers bleed and darkness descends......

That'll be a lot sooner than it would be if you could fit the tubes

[Cheeky Jim]

We have the same - you need to get your head under and look at it rather than fiddle about blindly.

The 2 prongs should be horizontal - should slide into a slot and then the tube should indeed rotate round 90 degrees..

If you give me 10 mins I'll take a photo of ours... if that will help?

[esselte]

Cheeky Jim said:

We have the same - you need to get your head under and look at it rather than fiddle about blindly.

:snigger:

[Wings]

On my kitchen unit tubes, for removal I just have to twist the tube away from me.

[ThatPhilBrettGuy]

We have the same and they are a total pain in the arse. Added to the fact that I got a new set of tubes, only to find it's the starters at fault and they seem to be built into the main unit....

[Cheeky Jim]

Here you go.

Slide prongs in horizontally and twist....

Look - my wife can even do it (snigger again!) and she's crap with anything electrical (snigger again again!)

[CivicMan]

Thanks, Cheeky, gave me an idea! Took a photo of mine and enlarged it. NOW I see the problem! The inner bits have twisted around so I can't slide it in... When day breaks I shall be at it! (Insert sniggers as appropriate!) Cheers all!