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Topic: Replacing the Foretravel Chandelier with a LED fixture (Read 575 times) previous topic - next topic - Topic derived from Re: Dining Room Light...

Replacing the Foretravel Chandelier with a LED fixture

Quote from: John Haygarth –
yes Trent the one over dining table is 120v and there is a switch/ dimmer under the cabinet next to it left side.

I found an excellent replacement for the dated Foretravel chandelier, and it uses LED lights. It is a 14" LED fixture that uses 120 VAC power and is dimmable. It has a nickle finish and white diffuser. It is fully dimmable, so can be hooked up to the wires that powered the chandelier. It is available at Costco for only $27.99. And it completely covers up the messy hole from removing the chandelier.
 
Altair 14" LED Flushmount Light

Make sure that the switch on the wall is in the off position by checking the old wiring with a voltmeter or near field tester. If your coach already has a dimmer (mine did), then all you do is attach the old wiring to the new fixture wiring.
 
The rest of the installation is very simple, if you first remove the diffuser by unscrewing the three knurled nuts that hold the diffuser to the fixture. After connecting the wiring, you simply install two bolts to the original metal bar. Place two slotted holes over the screws, rotate, and tighten the screws. Reinsert the diffuser and three retaining nuts and you are good to go.
 
I have included several pictures that show light during installation and you can see how bright it is, compared to the other existing lights. If that is not enough light for you, leave the diffuser off; the LEDs are really bright.
 
We are very happy with it and seldom turn on the other ceiling lights in the kitchen area.
 
Hope this helps all my buddies and buddettes,
 
Trent

Trent and Jean Eyler
2000  U295  4003  WTFE  ISC  350
Build#5603 MC#17385

Re: Replacing the Foretravel Chandelier with a LED fixture

Reply #1 –
Just wondering if you checked the voltage from the power supply that is mounted in the middle of the lamp? The PS may have that on it, but I could not blow up the photo enough to read it.  If the voltage is about 12 or 13 then one could bypass the PS and connect it to the house battery wiring.  Or just gut it and put in your own LED's, but that seems like a strange thing to do with a new LED lamp.

I bought the 2 pack of LED dimmers from Costco that are rated for 150 LED/300 incandescent watts, but found out that is not real watts, but LED equivalent watts.  I have 4 dimmable 60 watt equivalent, 9.5 watts actual, LED bulbs on a circuit with a 300 watt non LED dimmer and they flicker when dimmed.  Changing the dimmer did not help with the flicker, but unscrewing one bulb eliminated the flicker using the LED dimmer.  Not a desirable fix though and this is in my house not the coach.  So far a LED dimmer large enough to handle the 4 bulbs is close to $50. 
Jerry Whiteaker former owner 96 U270  36' #4831 Austin,TX-Owner Mods LCD TV w/front cabinet rebuild - LCD TV bedroom - Dual Central AC, either can cool coach w 30 amp - Skylights at roof AC openings - Drop ceiling for ducting of AC - Shower skylight white gelcoat/wood/epoxy frame - Air Springs/Shocks replaced - 2014 CRV - 8K Home Solar - Chevy Volt

Re: Replacing the Foretravel Chandelier with a LED fixture

Reply #2 –
Quote from: Jerry Whiteaker –
The PS may have that on it, but I could not blow up the photo enough to read it.  If the voltage is about 12 or 13 then one could bypass the PS and connect it to the house battery wiring.
I blew up the original, which is more readable. Looks like the output is 30-39 volts.

It does seem to dim properly with my OEM dimmer.

Trent
Trent and Jean Eyler
2000  U295  4003  WTFE  ISC  350
Build#5603 MC#17385
 

Re: Replacing the Foretravel Chandelier with a LED fixture

Reply #3 –
Thanks for the reply and photo.  The label on the PS is constant current dimmable power supply.  In other words the voltage may vary some, but the current stays about the same.  There are 3 segments with 6 LED's and these segments are wired in series from the photos.  One might think that each segment could be driven by 12 v from the battery as the power supply states 30-39 volt output.  LED's are very sensitive to voltage, not enough and they do not turn on, too much and they have a short life.  A very small increase in voltage can cause a big increase in current which increases light output and decreases the life of the LED.  Usually current is controlled by resistors in the LED strips that a lot of us have used in the lamps on our coaches.  I do not see any resistors on the segments, so probably not a good idea to bypass the PS and wire it for 12 volts.    Nice looking lamp.
Jerry Whiteaker former owner 96 U270  36' #4831 Austin,TX-Owner Mods LCD TV w/front cabinet rebuild - LCD TV bedroom - Dual Central AC, either can cool coach w 30 amp - Skylights at roof AC openings - Drop ceiling for ducting of AC - Shower skylight white gelcoat/wood/epoxy frame - Air Springs/Shocks replaced - 2014 CRV - 8K Home Solar - Chevy Volt