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Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: Realmccoy on September 02, 2016, 11:59:07 pm

Title: Fluorescent Lights under cabinets not turning on
Post by: Realmccoy on September 02, 2016, 11:59:07 pm
I've had my 98 U270 since July 3 and can't figure out how to turn on the under cabinet florescent lights. Tried every switch I can find in the coach. I've also checked for power on the downstream side of every wire leading from 12 volt fuse box in bedroom. Only other lights not getting power are the two wall mounted lights in bedroom. Checked bulbs and swapped bulbs with 1076 bulbs in living room and dining room, they work. Could use some help. Thanks
Title: Re: Fluorescent Lights under cabinets not turning on
Post by: John S on September 03, 2016, 05:36:13 am
Some of those had the switch right on the fixture and others had them behind the couch or under the cabinet.
Title: Re: Fluorescent Lights under cabinets not turning on
Post by: George and Steph on September 03, 2016, 09:30:46 am
Our 97 270 has them on the fixture itself.  The overheads are switched remotely but the under cabinets are each individual.  That was my first OMGosh as well.
Title: Re: Fluorescent Lights under cabinets not turning on
Post by: John Haygarth on September 03, 2016, 11:07:19 am
our under cabinet lights are switched on by the centre( of 3 switches) one at entrance door. If you have this set up and it does not work I would check to see if you have 12v at that light, and the one under bathroom cabinet. It also turns on the little one on side of entry steps.
JohnH
Title: Re: Fluorescent Lights under cabinets not turning on
Post by: Realmccoy on September 03, 2016, 07:18:55 pm
Removed light lens and ballast cover. 12+ volts measured from both sides of switch and picking up ground wire tied to circuit board on ballast. Same on other under cabinets, none of them work. Switch is on in both positions at the fixtures as if switches were being bypassed. How could four fixtures all be bad?
Title: Re: Fluorescent Lights under cabinets not turning on
Post by: George and Steph on September 03, 2016, 07:44:42 pm
The lights in the bedroom worked well for us but the two forward did not.  Rapid pushing of the on button eventually brought the on.  First two to three bring them on now.  Eventually I will clean the contacts.
Title: Re: Fluorescent Lights under cabinets not turning on
Post by: George and Steph on September 03, 2016, 07:45:53 pm
Can't check right now because of storm will check it out in the coach tomorrow.
Title: Re: Fluorescent Lights under cabinets not turning on
Post by: Jerry Whiteaker on September 03, 2016, 08:34:37 pm
After we bought our coach at least four of the Thin-Lite fluorescent lamps did not work  There were spare tubes on board.  I replaced some of the tubes, the lamps still didn't work.  In the end though it turned out that it was just bad tubes, even the spares. Not sure why someone would keep the bad ones.  Try the tubes in a lamp that works. 
Title: Re: Fluorescent Lights under cabinets not turning on
Post by: Yetch on September 03, 2016, 08:40:32 pm
When you say under cabinet lights, are you talking about the little tubes under cabs  near the floor in galley and bath?  If so, on a switch by the entry door to the right.
Mike
Title: Re: Fluorescent Lights under cabinets not turning on
Post by: John Haygarth on September 03, 2016, 10:56:39 pm
Mike, that was my comment a few posts ago
JohnH
Title: Re: Fluorescent Lights under cabinets not turning on
Post by: Realmccoy on September 04, 2016, 07:01:48 am
Helpful suggestions. It's the Thin Lite 18 inch florescent tube lights, two tubes per fixture under the overhead cabinets: one over sink, one over dining table, one over couch, one over recliner. The florescent fixtures in the ceiling all work. I will pick up a pair of bulbs from the hardware store to see if the under cabinet fixtures will then light up. Have pulled covers and verified voltage present in three of four. One tube rattled, others sounded good and looked good.

Has anybody switched to 12 volt LED tubes? That would be an easy rewire, but wonder if the tubes will fit with the "thin" plastic diffusers. My fixtures are partially recessed into the cabinets so changing to different LED light bar fixtures might be a headache.
Title: Re: Fluorescent Lights under cabinets not turning on
Post by: George and Steph on September 04, 2016, 07:19:23 am
Try the new bulb suggested by Jerry.  Slept on it and remembered that when I had the issue with the two galley lights, even after finding switches and checking power, I had FOE test them.  All four bulbs were out.
Title: Re: Fluorescent Lights under cabinets not turning on
Post by: AC7880 on September 04, 2016, 11:01:37 am
.........
Has anybody switched to 12 volt LED tubes? That would be an easy rewire, but wonder if the tubes will fit with the "thin" plastic diffusers. My fixtures are partially recessed into the cabinets so changing to different LED light bar fixtures might be a headache.

I used the LEDs from welcome to jirahled.com! (http://jirahled.com/) to replace the fluorescents.  I clipped the 12 volt leads from the power supply inside the fixtures, and wired the 12 volt directly to the LEDs.  These LEDs are thin, long lasting, low amp draw, look good, and work great.
Title: Re: Fluorescent Lights under cabinets not turning on
Post by: Jerry Whiteaker on September 05, 2016, 08:15:49 pm
Has anybody switched to 12 volt LED tubes?
Lots of topics on LED lights in the forum.  Here is how I did it, that is if the link works.  Homemade Light bulb (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=28075.msg239165#msg239165)
Title: Re: Fluorescent Lights under cabinets not turning on
Post by: Realmccoy on September 05, 2016, 11:27:01 pm
All 8 bulbs bad! I'm checking out led options. Thanks for your help.
Title: Re: Fluorescent Lights under cabinets not turning on
Post by: Ted & Karen on September 06, 2016, 12:16:13 pm

Has anybody switched to 12 volt LED tubes? That would be an easy rewire, but wonder if the tubes will fit with the "thin" plastic diffusers. My fixtures are partially recessed into the cabinets so changing to different LED light bar fixtures might be a headache.
[/quote]

I replaced all of my Thin Lite tubes with the products from Cabin Bright- easy install, works well, Joe has several intensity of lights you can choose from.  CabinBright.com 

 ^.^d