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Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: oldmattb on December 08, 2023, 03:48:42 pm

Title: Thinlite ballast
Post by: oldmattb on December 08, 2023, 03:48:42 pm
Does anyone have an old one around they could send.  Or an inexpensive substitution?

We are not ready to replace all of the fixtures and LED tubes we have bought.  $40 for a replacement ballast on Amazon seems like a lot!
Title: Re: Thinlite ballast
Post by: Pamela & Mike on December 08, 2023, 04:19:38 pm
I may have one or 2 in the freecycle store room. I will check here a little later and get back to you.

Mike
Title: Re: Thinlite ballast
Post by: wolfe10 on December 08, 2023, 04:51:12 pm
Ya, Matt, with the number of people going to LED's should be able to come up with a few.
Title: Re: Thinlite ballast
Post by: Pamela & Mike on December 08, 2023, 06:37:28 pm
Matt,

Just got back and looked around. None were found. A while back someone else ask for one and I must have sent all that I had left.

Mike
Title: Re: Thinlite ballast
Post by: oldmattb on December 08, 2023, 08:08:32 pm
Thanks for checking mike!

I will give it a couple of days to see if someone pops up.  They are available, not a huge amount of money.  It just hurts, knowing the moment I hit "buy," someone out there has just completed an LED conversion, and is throwing ten functional ballasts in the trash!
Title: Re: Thinlite ballast
Post by: Chris m lang on December 08, 2023, 08:21:17 pm
Are you talking about ballast for bay lights
Chris
Title: Re: Thinlite ballast
Post by: oldmattb on December 08, 2023, 10:35:59 pm
The two-bulb Thinlite fluorescent fixtures that are inset into the ceiling in the bedroom and living area of our coach.  I think they were used for many years, many models, many brands.
Title: Re: Thinlite ballast
Post by: wolfe10 on December 09, 2023, 08:26:58 am
Matt,

Don't know if all Thinlight florescent fixtures use the same ballast, but probably a good idea to post what bulb is in the fixture(s) in question.

It is possible that longer bulbs take  different ballasts-- I have no idea.

But, that would insure you are getting what you need.
Title: Re: Thinlite ballast
Post by: Chris m lang on December 09, 2023, 09:13:51 pm
Matt I thought I had some stashed away but couldn't find them we used these ( Upgraded LED Interior Light Bar, MIHAZ 108LED 12V Universal Light Strip with ON/Off Switch for RV Van Truck Lorry Camper Boat Caravan Motorhome (2 Pcs))
Bought off amazon back in 2019 they have been working fine since then ordered 2 pair (4bulbs) for about $32 but I just checked and they are not currently available
just type  RV led light bar they have a lot available
Chris
Title: Re: Thinlite ballast
Post by: Paul GA on December 10, 2023, 09:19:30 am
Amazon.com: Leisure LED RV LED Ceiling Light 21" x 8" Fixture 2000 Lumen... (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BF5WHKGS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1)

This is what I used
Title: Re: Thinlite ballast
Post by: Old Toolmaker on December 11, 2023, 09:12:14 am
Does anyone have an old one around they could send.  Or an inexpensive substitution?

We are not ready to replace all of the fixtures and LED tubes we have bought.  $40 for a replacement ballast on Amazon seems like a lot!

Be careful with the replacement ballast.  The ones I found were old stock and aftermarket and the transistor needs a heat sink.  I burned up several before I gave up and began switching to LEDs.
Title: Re: Thinlite ballast
Post by: oldmattb on December 11, 2023, 10:41:35 am
Here are photos of the light fixture and of the ballast, in case it might help someone later.

I have ordered the fixtures that were recommended above.  All will be good.

Thanks all!
Title: Re: Thinlite ballast
Post by: wolfe10 on December 11, 2023, 10:48:31 am
Matt,

Again, ballasts MAY  BE sized by what bulb(s) they run.

What bulb and confirm how many bulbs.

Lots of people have converted to LED, so there should some ballasts lying around.
Title: Re: Thinlite ballast
Post by: dsd on December 11, 2023, 11:42:23 am
Matt sorry i didnt save my old ones. Never gave it a thought. Between being 20+ years old, huge power consumption compared to LED conversion. Elimination of 600 volt AC operation and associated fire risk, mine were tossed as I removed them in the trash.
Amazon.com: Ei-Home 5050-12 SMD G4 LED Bulbs, DC 12V RV light Bulbs,Replace... (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XW7KS8N/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

ICIH (Pack-10 Aluminum DC12V 0.7A 8W SMD2835 72LED 0.5M/20 Rigid Hard LED... (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B087P2SMNH/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1)

I will be adding higher density lighting and dimmers to control the way excess lighting. I really like being able to have daylight intensity if needed and dimming down to night light glow if I want too. Amazing the advances in LEDs and dimming  all under 14 volts DC and minimal power consumption
Title: Re: Thinlite ballast
Post by: Peter on December 11, 2023, 03:45:40 pm
Matt
Sent you a pm.
I have some I removed
Peter
Title: Re: Thinlite ballast
Post by: oldguy on December 11, 2023, 05:53:46 pm
When I changed to led strips I kept the tubes and ballasts for a short time and then got rid of
them as I couldn't see anyone wanting them as it is so easy to put the strips in and they are a
way better light.