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Topic: Help taking the porch light apart (Read 351 times) previous topic - next topic

Help taking the porch light apart

My porch light does not work, and I want to either replace the fluorescent bulbs or go to LED but can't get the lens off.  I have verified power is getting to the fixture by testing for 12 VDC in the wires above the door, so I know that it is a bulb or ballast issue.

I assume that the button in the hole at each end is the secret and that by pressing it I was expecting the light body to release from some sort of back plate but that has not worked.  Maybe I am not applying enough force, but I am afraid to break anything so decided it was time to ask for help.
Mike and Loretta
Charlie our Cavapoo
1999 U320 3600 WTFE
Build 5499
Wrangler JKUR via Roadmaster and Air force One

Re: Help taking the porch light apart

Reply #1 –
Mike,

Take out that little black plug and you will find a Phillips head screw. Once removed that black plastic cover will come off to expose the inner works. Now you can slide the lens out one end or the other and get to everything inside.

Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: Help taking the porch light apart

Reply #2 –
Mike (not you Mike, the other Mike),

In case you haven't seen it, there was a thread here a few years ago where we explored some ways to refurbish/update the OEM porch lights to LED.  Might give you some ideas how to proceed, once you have the lens off.

OEM Porch Light Rebuild

1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Help taking the porch light apart

Reply #3 –
I used LED strips, they work well.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Help taking the porch light apart

Reply #4 –
The orange cover comes off by squeezing top and bottom towards each other but be careful as it is probably brittle.

1993 U300 40ft GV SE
Build # 4344

Re: Help taking the porch light apart

Reply #5 –
Quote from: Jeff & Sandy –
The orange cover comes off by squeezing top and bottom towards each other but be careful as it is probably brittle.
There is a lip on each side, one of the sides has to come off of the fixture or the lens will break. The lens actually slides out.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Help taking the porch light apart

Reply #6 –
Thanks for the help.  Instead of changing the bulbs I swapped in LED strips.  I saw that some felt 3 was too many so went with 2.  I won't mess with a dimmer, but if I end up feeling that 2 is too bright, I will cut one wire in the future. 
Mike and Loretta
Charlie our Cavapoo
1999 U320 3600 WTFE
Build 5499
Wrangler JKUR via Roadmaster and Air force One
 

Re: Help taking the porch light apart

Reply #7 –
For what it is worth--and I don't know for sure---I thought I read somewhere that the nighttime bugs are NOT attracted to the LED lights and that LED lights emit a different type of wave length radiance than regular bulbs.
I do know that bugs are not attracted to the LED light strips on our coach porch light.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD