Yeah I’m on a roll today. How do you, or do you hire someone to change your bulbs? How do you teeter a ladder on a 4x4 light post? I did one with an extension ladder and It wasn’t pretty. What’s the safest way?
LEDs need changed. How?
- Thread starter Bricks
- Start date
slash007
Well-known member
How high? I got lucky when I changed all my vac lights and found someone with a bucket truck that let me pay them some $ and they let me use it for a couple hours. You could also get a super high step ladder for more stability if not too high. I've done the extension ladder on a pole thing and it's scary.
Very! And I even had my dad holding the ladder. I’m not sure about the height. These $100 bulbs are ridiculous.
Toms PTcarwash
Active member
If your poles can't be reached safely with a step ladder, you should either pay someone to change them or rent a lift. 30' tow behind lifts can be rented for about $90 a day in many areas.
If you fall from 15 or 20 feet, it's going to cost you a lot more than $90!!
Bricks, what bulbs are costing you $100? You should be able to buy brand new 50,000 hour fixtures for about $150.
If you fall from 15 or 20 feet, it's going to cost you a lot more than $90!!
Bricks, what bulbs are costing you $100? You should be able to buy brand new 50,000 hour fixtures for about $150.
MEP001
Well-known member
These start at $300 per day, not $90.
MEP001
Well-known member
Yeah, don't do that. At one wash I look after there's a light pole just laying in the shrubs because the base rusted and it just fell over.
Earl Weiss
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Depending on how High it is if you find someone with a tall box truck and a roof you that will hold you and he will let you climb on top perhaps he will put it under the truck and let you climb on top. Or park by the light where you can lean the ladder against the truck.
I made scaffolding out of pipe, about 8’ tall with protective railing on top of that. I put the FEL of my tractor on it and used a log chain and binder to secure it to the bucket.
I built it specifically for laying bricks on my house. I guess I could trailer it to the wash. I bet if I stood in the bucket it might be high enough. I can climb up the push bar and pull myself up to the bucket (I’ve done this many times) Or put the forks on with several pallets stacked up and screwed together.
I was just hoping someone would link a special ladder attachment to simplify this, but like MEP said, I have some rusty poles and don’t like leaning on them.
DiamondWash
Well-known member
OSHA has just left the room.................................LOL 
Like myself, it wasn’t too stable.OSHA has just left the room.................................LOL
Waxman
Super Moderator
I don't see what the big deal is about renting a manlift that you drive around even if it's $300 what's the problem?
Each time one needs replaced? So $400 per light? I’ve only been in business 10 months and this is the third bulb that’s gone out. I can’t afford that.
What kind of bulbs are installing?
Toms PTcarwash
Active member
If you are still using High Pressure Sodium or metal halide bulbs, you should replace them all at the same time. Then you only need to rent a lift once every couple years. Changing them one at a time isn't saving you any money.
Of even better, change all the fixtures to LED and you should be good for at least 5 years and cut your electric usage for lighting by about 60%.
Of even better, change all the fixtures to LED and you should be good for at least 5 years and cut your electric usage for lighting by about 60%.
I’ll get back to you.
This is what I replaced the last one with. The ones I’m replacing are weird. You have to fold the wings in and that allows you to twist them in/out of the fixtures. They aren’t even two years old according to the previous owner. And yes they are LED as well.
Attachments
Toms PTcarwash
Active member
Those "corn cob" lamps usually don't last too long. They can't dissipate the heat in an enclosed shoe box fixture. Thats why the warranty says five years if used 3 hours per day, who uses them only 3 hours a day? that's what, 5500 hours? A new LED fixture should last 50,000 hours.
Also be sure you look at the instructions. Almost all of them require you do disconnect and bypass the ballast. If you don't do this, they really won't last long.
Also be sure you look at the instructions. Almost all of them require you do disconnect and bypass the ballast. If you don't do this, they really won't last long.
Toms PTcarwash
Active member
I have several lifts rented all over the country at any given time for my day job. I can get a 65' boom for less than $300 a day, not including delivery. I guess I get a lot better rates than a onetime user. Sorry if I mislead anyone about the lift cost.
But if you plan ahead and do all your lights at once, $400, is still a good price, and you will get it done way faster and safer than with a ladder. A broken bone will cost thousands these days.
