onux20 January 25, 2013 Share January 25, 2013 Okay before I make a poor decision, please help. I changed out the bulbs last week and found that the “bulb retaining mechanism” inside one of the DE MH sockets was jacked up. The internal piece in the socket is bent and no longer under tension and therefore won’t keep the bulb in place. So I ordered a replacement 250W DE socket. Is this something I can replace with ZERO electrical skills and questionable DIY skills? If I replace one socket, should I replace both? Or all four sockets? If not recommended I do this myself, is there someone willing to come over and do this for me for a nominal fee? Thoughts, advice, or warnings are welcomed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zygote2k January 25, 2013 Share January 25, 2013 As long as you disconnect the power source, you'll be fine. I'm sure that you won't be doing any soldering- most of this will be push in connections. If it's easy to do one set, you may as well do the other. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveoutlaw January 25, 2013 Share January 25, 2013 Piece of cake. 2 wires and 2 ends......no problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onux20 January 25, 2013 Author Share January 25, 2013 replace both sockets? @Rob, I only bought two so I couldnt replace all now anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveoutlaw January 25, 2013 Share January 25, 2013 I wouldn't worry about replacing the other if it's still good. It could last you years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coral Hind January 26, 2013 Share January 26, 2013 It is easy to do and I agree with Steveoutlaw, just change as needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onux20 January 26, 2013 Author Share January 26, 2013 Stuck like Chuck! Took a while to figure out how to get the light apart to actually get to the connection. Now that I have it apart, there is a metal wire fastener that I cant get apart. So off to the hardware store tomorrow to get a new fastener and see if I can remember how to put it back together. Thanks for the advice. I am only going to change the one socket that failed not both ends of the DE socket. That should be okay right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Origami January 26, 2013 Share January 26, 2013 Pictures would help. And, yes, you should be able to change the one end that has mechanical problems. Your electrical connections need to be secure. If you're crimping quick connects, make sure of it. Loose connections can cause early failure and actually be a hazard. If they're wire-nut connections, make sure that any bare wire is well inside the wire nut. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onux20 January 26, 2013 Author Share January 26, 2013 Tom, et al Thanks. I crimped it as well as I could. Connection was secure when I buttoned the light back up. I only changed the one end that failed. OpTest was good. However, the fans are REALLY loud now. Not sure what happened there. Anyway, thanks for all of the advice and hints. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Origami January 26, 2013 Share January 26, 2013 Ron, check to see if there's a wire or something dragging on one of the fans. Open it back up and you'll probably find something mechanical going on that you can easily address. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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