Light switch

Topic: Light switch (Read 1323 times) previous topic - next topic

Light switch

December 28, 2016, 07:59:59 pm

Last question for tonite: the most forward overhead light fixture in my 97 U320 is a fluorescent 2 bulb fixture. We have been unable to turn it on. We replaced one of the 2 bulbs with anither we assume to be new, no luck. Is this fixture tied into another overhead fixture? If not then we are at a loss as to where the switch is for this light. Also will the fixture light if only one bulb is good?

Thanks in advance for yalls help.

Re: Light switch

Reply #1 – December 28, 2016, 08:07:32 pm

Have you tried the switch on the forward end of the cabinet over the copilot' chair?

Re: Light switch

Reply #2 – December 28, 2016, 08:12:38 pm

Do you have electricity at the fixture, could it be the ballast...

Re: Light switch

Reply #3 – December 28, 2016, 09:48:30 pm

Quote from: Barry & Cindy – December 28, 2016, 08:12:38 pm

Do you have electricity at the fixture, could it be the ballast...

Woudnt know how to check electricity at the ballast.

Re: Light switch

Reply #4 – December 28, 2016, 11:12:32 pm

Turn on all the light switches you can find and see what happens

Re: Light switch

Reply #5 – December 28, 2016, 11:58:57 pm

Pick up a digital volt ohm meter, about 15-20 bucks, learn to use it, and save $10,000 or more in future repairs, tows, etc. Lots of information out on the internet, but maybe a basic electrical course is prudent. No offense intended. Cause your motor coach is a city on wheels. Basic electrical knowledge can probably solve 90% of any electrical issues. For the most part, sparkies are not rocket scientists. Diagnosis all starts at the meter.

Re: Light switch

Reply #6 – December 29, 2016, 12:50:38 am

Quote from: Bob McGee – December 28, 2016, 08:07:32 pm

Have you tried the switch on the forward end of the cabinet over the copilot' chair?

That is the correct answer.

Trent

Re: Light switch

Reply #7 – December 29, 2016, 03:14:42 am

Both bulbs need to be good.
Try two known to be good bulbs before spending a lot of money.
Swap them with a working fixture.

Re: Light switch

Reply #8 – December 29, 2016, 07:05:32 am

First thing should be get a test light and see if you have 12 volts to the fixture. When I had fixtures stop working I would just change it out to LED. My guess is ballast is dead

Re: Light switch

Reply #9 – December 29, 2016, 08:41:33 am

Quote from: turbojack – December 29, 2016, 07:05:32 am

First thing should be get a test light and see if you have 12 volts to the fixture. When I had fixtures stop working I would just change it out to LED. My guess is ballast is dead

Good answer. If 12 VDC to the fixture and new bulbs did not turn on, it is a ballast. They can be replaced, or you can convert to LED's. Assume this is a "Thinlite" fixture.

My suggestion is to NOT convert only one of many-- its light will be different than the rest (color and intensity).

Re: Light switch

Reply #10 – December 29, 2016, 11:32:12 pm

When my coach was new to me I thought my front light fixture was not working until someone told me that the light switch was on the front of the overhead cabinet above the stairwell. I never would have thought to look there and went through the whole routine of checking voltage to the fixture and spending energy thinking about what the problem could be in getting power to the fixture. I was shocked to see it was my mistake about where the switch is located.

Re: Light switch

Reply #11 – December 30, 2016, 06:14:38 pm

Quote from: Old phart phred – December 28, 2016, 11:58:57 pm

Pick up a digital volt ohm meter, about 15-20 bucks, learn to use it, and save $10,000 or more in future repairs, tows, etc. Lots of information out on the internet, but maybe a basic electrical course is prudent. No offense intended. Cause your motor coach is a city on wheels. Basic electrical knowledge can probably solve 90% of any electrical issues. For the most part, sparkies are not rocket scientists. Diagnosis all starts at the meter.

Great minds must think alike, as I was thinking much the same. thanks.

Re: Light switch

Reply #12 – December 30, 2016, 06:17:43 pm

Quote from: FourTravelers – December 29, 2016, 03:14:42 am

Both bulbs need to be good.
Try two known to be good bulbs before spending a lot of money.
Swap them with a working fixture.

I have not been able to Find another fixture that uses the same bulbs- 18" flourescents IIRC. But I did go buy a few of them and tried two brand new bulbs, just in case both had to be good for the fixture to work. No luck. But it's worth knowing both must work, thanks.

Re: Light switch

Reply #13 – December 30, 2016, 06:22:29 pm

Quote from: wolfe10 – December 29, 2016, 08:41:33 am

Good answer. If 12 VDC to the fixture and new bulbs did not turn on, it is a ballast. They can be replaced, or you can convert to LED's. Assume this is a "Thinlite" fixture.

My suggestion is to NOT convert only one of many-- its light will be different than the rest (color and intensity).

Takes an 18" fluorescent. I thought that meant the fixture was AC. In any case there are either 3 or 4 other fixtures in the galley area that also take fluorescents, though different bulbs. IIRC there is also at least one fluorescent fixture in the head.

Re: Light switch

Reply #14 – December 30, 2016, 09:38:59 pm

That is the bulb number? Brand?

There are some "good" brands of these bulbs, and some "we made copies of these bulbs".

Re: Light switch

Reply #15 – December 31, 2016, 04:27:58 pm

Quote from: wolfe10 – December 30, 2016, 09:38:59 pm

That is the bulb number? Brand?

There are some "good" brands of these bulbs, and some "we made copies of these bulbs".

Brett you are correct the fixture is the thin-lite. I tried two brand new bulbs, GE F15 T8 Garage and Basement, to no avail.

Re: Light switch

Reply #16 – December 31, 2016, 05:05:55 pm

Identify the correct ballast, then google it for best price: http://www.thinlite.com/

Half an hour labor and a hand full of butt connectors and you are back in business.

Re: Light switch

Reply #17 – January 04, 2017, 04:57:53 pm

Michael,
I was almost exactly where you are last year at this time. I decided to learn the basics and used Dan Sullivan's work to do so. Here is a YouTube link for his book. Don't let the mechanic part intimidate you as it starts very basic. It is so practical that I purchased the work cards and watched the videos you will see if you go to the link. It also contains an excellent section on using a voltmeter.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7TQGrWZmvRs

Re: Light switch

Reply #18 – January 06, 2017, 07:35:52 pm

Bought a meter, watched some you tube and put the probes on what i take to be the metal contacts in the fixture. Zip zero nada. Of course that is literally rhe first time i have ever used a meter and perhaps i should try on a battery or something to see what happens. Yea.

Re: Light switch

Reply #19 – January 07, 2017, 08:44:33 am

Make sure that you have voltage going TO the ballast (primary side) the contacts where the lamps plug in are on the load side (secondary side) If you have voltage at the ballast AND two new lamps the you can be reasonably sure the ballast is bad.
There is a chance that a wire has pulled loose from a socket or possibly a bad socket (try a new ballast, if not you can always use it as a spare)

Re: Light switch

Reply #20 – January 07, 2017, 09:08:11 am

Also make sure you match the lamps with the ballast, use proper type lamp for that particular ballast. There should be a label on the ballast indicating the type, size and number of lamps that it can operate.

Re: Light switch

Reply #21 – January 07, 2017, 02:09:20 pm

Quote from: FourTravelers – January 07, 2017, 08:44:33 am

Make sure that you have voltage going TO the ballast (primary side) the contacts where the lamps plug in are on the load side (secondary side) If you have voltage at the ballast AND two new lamps the you can be reasonably sure the ballast is bad.
There is a chance that a wire has pulled loose from a socket or possibly a bad socket (try a new ballast, if not you can always use it as a spare)

I dont see where to check voltage to the ballast, so im assuming i remove the fixture? Heres anpic of my fixture installed.

Re: Light switch

Reply #22 – January 07, 2017, 02:15:51 pm

Squeeze the center cover on the sides and it will come off

Re: Light switch

Reply #23 – January 07, 2017, 03:06:16 pm

Quote from: craneman – January 07, 2017, 02:15:51 pm

Squeeze the center cover on the sides and it will come off

Yea the pic i posted is of the fixture with the defuser cover removed.

Re: Light switch

Reply #24 – January 07, 2017, 03:48:43 pm

Hello, like someone else posted the switch (for mine) is on the cabinet nearest the door by the AC switch. I would recommend if you are having problems with the bulbs/ballast and have figured out how to turn on/off that you consider switching to led. I have put in led strips after removal of the ballast and so far have been happy. You can get 5 meters of Led off eBay for less than 10 dollars delivered. Then it is just a matter of putting in 4-6 strips of the leds, soldering them to the + and - (in correct polarity) and you will probably not have to mess with them again. They also require less electricity to put out same light. Just my thoughts. I have changed pretty much all of my incandesent and flourescent lights out to LEDs and am pleased. Best of travels.

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