Difficult fluorescent light fixture lens removal


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Old 05-12-18, 10:50 AM
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Difficult fluorescent light fixture lens removal

I'm having an absurdly difficult time trying to remove the diffuser to change the bulbs in the fluorescent light fixture in my kitchen. The diffuser fits snugly into the metal end caps with virtually no wiggle room. I cannot see any way to remove it without first removing one of the caps to slide it out, but I can't figure out how to do that either. There are no visible screws, and I haven't been able to slide or pry it off. I'm attaching photos. I would appreciate any help or advice. Thanks.
 
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Last edited by kyleshirley; 05-12-18 at 01:05 PM.
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Old 05-12-18, 11:48 AM
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How to inset images: How to insert pictures.
 
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Old 05-12-18, 01:09 PM
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Thanks. They're showing up now.
 
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Old 05-12-18, 03:02 PM
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You likely have to slide the plastic to one end first and then pull the end down. You might have to try both directions as there might be only one "right" way.

Once you get it down I would recommend installing some bypass LED tubes so you will almost never have to open it again.
 
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Old 05-13-18, 07:29 AM
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I've tried that with no luck. I can only move it maybe 1/4 inch or less, and that isn't enough to get the other end close to being free of its end cap.
Thanks for the advice on the LEDs though. I'll definitely look into that if I can ever get the dang thing open.
 
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Old 05-13-18, 10:37 AM
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Keep trying to slide the plastic. It doesn't look like those are removable ends. It shouldn't have to slide much to come out and as mentioned it usually slides one way more.
 
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Old 05-13-18, 12:00 PM
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Try pulling on the end cap horizontally away from the light fixture:

<--- (=====) --->

The light be spring loaded to allow the lens to come down.
 
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Old 05-21-18, 02:30 PM
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No luck

I've tried those suggestions. The lens will not slide enough in either direction, and the ends won't budge.
 
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Old 05-24-18, 01:41 PM
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Fixed

I finally got it off. I had to push up in the center of one end of the lens until it cleared a little hidden nub on the end cap, which gave it enough room to slide over until the other end came free. Thanks for the suggestions.
 
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Old 05-24-18, 02:28 PM
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Glad you got it. Thanks for letting us know how. It may help someone else.
 
 

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