Solar Tube Lens Removal

[RobertWR]

I have a Solar Tube installed in my home by the previous owner. My home is 7 years old and this unit was installed 4 or 5 years ago. I would like to remove the lens for cleaning. After watching a few videos they show rotating the lens counter clock wise. I can rotate a quarter turn but it will not come down.

Any advice? Any one been successful removing this lens?

Thank you.

[Madelaine Amee]

Call in a professional. If you mess up a solar ight you could have a big problem with leakage. I have three solar lights and would never onsider messing with them. Call the Solar Guys.

[Sparty6971]

A good idea to ask for professional help.

I have two solar tubes that look almost identical. I just bought a new one and the interior lense comes off by the counter-clockwise turn method. The other has been here since prior to our arrival in mid-2009, it has two long plastic prongs that have teeth on them like a giant zip-tie. The prongs must be pushed in to clear a square tube they are in and are a bear to get at and to clear them. You can turn it counterclockwise till the cows come home and nothing will happen except your arms will get tired. The guy that installed the new solar tube this summer agreed to help me get the old lense off to clean it. He was very knowledgeable of both types but "oops" it broke the attach point prongs from the trim ring. Fortunately, it could be "Gorilla Glued" back together but I'll likely never remove that older one again by myself. (Sorry I don't have a picture to better describe the prongs.)

[flusher]

I just use a vacuum on my lens, adapt a tube to fit inside