Solution to butchered down lights??!

[GBDamo]

I don’t know if I’m just unlucky but every time I’m called out to a down light the thing falls out of the ceiling the minute I look at it.

On closer inspection it looks like the “hole” has been “cut” with a twelve gauge.

Are there any after market products to resolve this problem?

Or is the only option to fill and reposition?

 

[SparkyChick]

The only thing I can think of is these:-

Downlight Converter Kit - White - https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/MLHCW.html

But they are a light fitting in themselves. I've used them several times with great success when changing from nasty old filament spots.

I vaguely recall a similar question a while back where if my memory isn't completely addled, someone posted something similar but it's purpose was to address the situation you find yourself in.

Failing that, it might be a better plan to cut out a bigger section, secure a new piece of board with battens around the edge and get them to have it skimmed then refit

 

[Dave OCD]

You can get adaptor conversion plates which go up to 140mm diameter.

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

your lucky, its normally the case when i come across a downlight its up there good and tight and wont come down for love or money!! springs like a mouse trap on them...
some of them are a nightmare to remove...
I do recall seeing some flexi plastic edging being used to seal the holes and make them a tighter fit, it was a sort of rubbery material and fire rated, a bit like grommit strip but for plaster board instead of metal. came in a roll and you cut it to size. Then put in the hole and it gripped the light. somebody else might know the make of it...

 

[loplug]

I was just about to suggest the same but I am unaware of a fire rated version. Another option is to replace with a larger downlight that will fill the existing hole, may still be more cost effective than repair and redecoration of the existing lights

 

[loplug]

springs like a mouse trap on them...

And it seems to be an unattainable skill to position your fingers so they don’t get full force of said mousetrap

 

[Adam W]

I find this usually does the trick.

 

[GBDamo]

They are evilly vicious.

 

[GBDamo]

That’s cheating.

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

i have used hard as nails before , put a few bits on the back of the rim and pushed up onto the ceiling, held for a minute and was all good. then a little intumescant sealant to finish off if needed.

 

[Dillb]

[QUOTE="Gavin John Hyde, post: 1411092, member: 101583”]springs like a mouse trap on them...
[/QUOTE]

Isnt it amazing how you always manage to out your fingers right underneath where the sorings are too when you remove them.

 

[sham]

Designers of down-lights should improve on those springs, they seem to weaken. I had the same situation, I just put a decorators filler around the rim of the fitting and screwed something on the sides of the fitting temporarily, just until it dries. So the fitting stays in position.

 

[mhar]

Not sure how well I can describe what I do but here goes :- I use my solid board cutter (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Silverline...1529080181&sr=8-2&keywords=solid+board+cutter) and cut a circle in some 3mm ply or hardboard. If the downlight I want to fit requires a 75mm hole for example, I use a 75mm holesaw in the centre of the circle I have just cut out. This leaves me with a hole with a 1" ring around it. Cut this ring with a saw (only once) and you have a flexible ring that you can feed up through the butchered hole and you then have something to fill to and also something for the downlighter springs to bear on

 

[GBDamo]

Fat fingers that should have been a thumbs up.

 

[Leesparkykent]

Downlighter Ceiling Hole Repair Kits & Liners - https://c-fix-downlighter.com/

Downlighter Ceiling Hole Liner Kits - C-FIX - https://c-fix-downlighter.com/pages/c-fix-liner