My map lamp has slowly dimmed over the winter to the point it no longer lights. Has anyone had to change the bulb or a similar problem. How is the bulb changed? I can not seem to figure our how to access the bulb or interior.
There is a small tab that sticks up out of the clear plastic lens cover. Mine comes off if you use a pocket knife to pry that tab up using the lamp body as the pivot point. It is pretty tight, but will snap open. The bulb is then accessible.
I had the same trouble and found it was the switch. Like Barry said, it's a little sneaky to get inside to work on it. It is an expensive Bosch light so I replaced ours with a LED model off ebay. Works well but the light has a blueish tinge.
Pierce
On both of mine a PO had replaced with LED bulbs. work well.
Keith
Thanks Barry! ^.^d However, after posting my question I couldn't resist fiddling further.
By turning the dial switch as indicated with the yellow arrows the back of the light comes off.
Subsequently by merely turning the unit upside down the light falls out. Duh???
Now I just have to find a replacement bulb. From what I can decipher it is a 1816 12V 3CP bulb ???
LED is possible if I can find one of the right temp/color/cost.
Thanks Kieth & Pierce! ^.^d
Hi Ron, had the same issue with ours and replaced the whole unit with a LED unit from FOT. Works great and much brighter.
Richard B.
Did you have to replace the whole light unit or just the bulb?
Just the bulb.
BA9s LED Bulb - 4 LED | BA9s and BA7s LED Bulbs | LED Car Bulbs | Super Bright (http://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/ba9s-ba7s/ba9s-led-bulb-4-led/6/)
Perfect! Thanks Barry I just ordered a couple. ^.^d
Ron, I replaced the whole unit as it was broken.
Richard B.
Thanks Richard!
I took my passenger map light apart as described previously in this thread.
I removed the bulb cover and disposed of it.
I then soldered to the bulb contacts, the leads from a "warm white" six LED board with a voltage limiter circuit. This LED board draws only 0.022 amps and I leave it on at night to light the stair well. It is sufficiently bright when driving at night to be used for map reading. I find the "ON/OFF" switch is NOT reliable and sometimes requires fiddling to turn the light on.
I plan to install a wall switch and bypass the switch inside the light fixture.
Follow-up on my Map light adventure...
I bought and received two different bulbs to replace the original Map Light bulb.
- An LED replacement from SuperBrightLEDs.com (BA9s LED)
- A Incandescent replacement from 1000 Bulbs (Eiko 1816-T3.25)
In both cases the bulb base diameter would be OK, however the bulb diameters were slightly too big. I have included pics below as well as a pic of the original defective bulb (1816 Original). I've included two pics of the EiKo 1816 (1st As pictured on the web which looks like a good fit and a second as received with a slightly larger glass portion).
The problem is that the glass bulb portions of the replacements are slightly too large to fit through the metal mounting hole in the map light.
Here are some measurements I've subsequently taken.
| this minor 0.0015" enlargement should be OK |
|
| 0.054" larger is too big to fit through mounting hole. |
|
i think I have found another source at: Light Bulb Mini Bayonet 12V .33A 4W 3Cp (http://tinyurl.com/Hamilton-Marine) if I can verify the measurements. I'm also going to try the local auto parts stores.
If anyone has any other ideas I'd appreciate them
Thanx! |
Howdy Ron,
I replaced my Map Light with an LED using your links.. Your correct, that the bulb diameter is too large, so I just removed the lens (using Barry's procedure) Map Light bulb - Change? (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=18163.msg123562#msg123562) and installed the bulb from the front/top and re-installed lens. Works great.
Good Luck, Dave A
Thanks Dave... I'll give that a try...
How were you able to get the two metal tips on the base beyond the howl in the metal base?
But... there is an adventure update, too: After travelling to three different Auto Parts Stores, NAPA Auto Parts came through for me (
I have no other affiliation with NAPA than being a paying customer ;D ). The counter man really searched and found an equivalent replacement bulb. It is a
LMP 17131 map bulb. i just tried it in the map light and it works fine ($1.37).
- http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/CatalogItemDetail.aspx?R=LMA17131_0335182884
- http://tinyurl.com/NAPA-Map-Bulbs
I will try Dave's and Barry's suggestion to get the LED light bulb in from the front. BTW I used a needle nosed plier to grab the small plastic tab to remove the front lens.
The LED Light works too! After a few sparks here and there, I was able to push the LED bulb socket in far enough from behind the front lens to make good contact. The two metal tabs do not make it beyond the metal plate at the back of the light and just rest up against the plate from the front side of the light. Friction holds the bulb in place. As I have it installed now, excessive vibration may lose that contact and require re-positioning of the bulb.
Read replies saying they had replaced their WHOLE unit with a new one from FT. Anyone know if they are still available OR is there an alternative that can be bought to replace or. Mine is pooched and I kinda broke it putting it back together
Camping World has several reading lamps. I used this one on the passenger side. It's a little pricey but fit well. I removed its base and press fit the base from the original so the wood around the mount spot doesn't show any marks. It's a little short but it works well. When I got it a few years ago, they had the same style with a longer arm that I put on the drivers side. I like the built in switch you engage by pressing the lens.
ITC LED Reading Light With Push Lens Switch | Camping World (http://www.campingworld.com/compass-adjustable-led-reading-light-screw-mount-78988.html?cgid=indoor-lighting#start=103&sz=48&cgid=inside-rv%2Findoor-lighting%2Fled-lighting%2Fled-fixtures)
Also search Amazon for " ITC 69923S-NI3K-DB ". I found what looks to be the same light for much less and also a longer necked one and others with USB outlets in the base.
The search shows the higher price but if you scroll down to the "You might also like" section, it shows up from someone else for less. Typical Amazon listing that shows multiple prices for the same item.
Hi Larry
It is too bad it is in brushed nickel. Maybe I can spray paint it black. Was it easy to get the base of the old one off? I am having a little problem prying the base of the old one off and do not want to break it. Also was it relatively easy to press fit the flexible neck into the original base. Do you by chance have a pic?
Yes, it can be painted, but not sure the paint would last on the goose neck when it's moved around and you would need to prep the glossy finish. I don't think it looks out of place as is but that's subjective. Bigger issue is length. If I was doing this again, I would have used the longer ones on both sides.
Yes, removing the base and installing it with the original base wasn't difficult - just took a little time and patience to get the press fit right. Note, however, that the base that comes with it positions the goose neck at 90 degrees from the wall while the base on the original one puts it about a 30 degree angle. This may help or may hinder having it point where you want it.
I'll get a picture when at the coach this afternoon.
Also, I did a more generic search for "12v gooseneck reading light" and found many pieces in various finishes including black. Didn't see all these when I found the ones I bought just a few years ago.
We replaced our map light with this. Pleased.
Amazon.com: acegoo RV Boat LED Reading Light, Dimmable Flexible Gooseneck... (https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0838RWH7Y/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
As mentioned in my previous post, here are pictures of new lamp mounted on old base. First is pass side mounted pointed down, second is driver side mounted up.