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Topic: Fluorescent light fixture upgrade to LED  (Read 16061 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Fluorescent light fixture upgrade to LED

Reply #40 –
Larry a lot of strange things in my coach when it comes to lighting. For instance there are under cabinet floor lighting and the kitchen and the bathroom, but the switch for that is when you first walk in on the stairs no other switch that I know of. Seems kind of silly and then the before mentioned puck light overhead light thingy. Well that one's fixed I'm going to replace the old style strip lights under the cabinets with newer LEDs and have a switch where it makes sense to do so. Also since I'm rebuilding my countertops I'm really thinking about doing an epoxy pour in the middle that will be under lit by LEDs. it would be a night light type of light in the bathroom. If I can pull it off the way I think I can I think it would look really cool and be pretty practical as well. I'm all full of ideas when it comes to this stuff. However translating them into actual working models takes a little bit more work.
I did finish the bathroom lights last night. I drilled a hole between the AC and both lights and connect to them with 16 gauge wire. I put three strips in the main light and two strips in the hall light. It now looks really good. The light is more useful and I'm sure better energy efficiency than what was the original. I lined everything with aluminum tape that I got from harbor freight. it gives a nice surface for the tape to stick to and a nice reflection as well.

Re: Fluorescent light fixture upgrade to LED

Reply #41 –
Bob sounds like a good plan of action. If the LED'S w/epoxy work out, be sure to post pictures. We all love pictures. I have low level lights in the hallway and salon also, just not LED. It got turned on accidentally during the day one time. When it got dark, I couldn't figure out how they turned off. Took me 3 days before I accidentally found the switch by the front door. Before, I thought the switch went to something that didn't work. After 5 years, still learning,

Larry

Re: Fluorescent light fixture upgrade to LED

Reply #42 –
So I am slowly changing out every fixture in between my normal life. This fixture is the main center fixture in the three way switch. I went with four 3200K strips on the same aluminum backing. The light output is a little bit more intense but similar in coloring as the fluorescent bulbs.

The white balance in the pictures doesn't accurately show the color of the light. It is not near as yellow in real life as it is in the picture.

The wife much prefers the softer lighting. I would prefer to go with a 4200 bright white but cannot find the same design in that color. I can live with the color and the wife really likes it so they will stay.

Only seven more fixtures to go!

Re: Fluorescent light fixture upgrade to LED

Reply #43 –
Did mine also this last week.. Color match is a problem so I mixed them to get the color needed

Took 3500k(or 3k cant remember) 3 strips mixed with 1 strip of 6k(white) to make the 4500k color (very close)

Bathroom is a little small so I did 2 of the lower colors and 1 of the bright and the same in the toilet... Bright and I can see now.. bought some extra lights to add but I am going to use the coach first like this and see if  i want to add more lighting

Not sure why women like the lower yellowish color... I like it Hospital bright!!

Re: Fluorescent light fixture upgrade to LED

Reply #44 –
I mounted these straight to the wood / fiberglass instead of the aluminum fixture like I did on the first fixture. I will let it sit and use it for a while before I mount the next ones. The smaller fixtures will all be mounted to the aluminum bases due to the smaller fixture size. 

I was a little surprised to see the same small fixture under the much larger "lights".

I also just learned my first install was a double LED mount strip and this one was a single mount strip. I prefer the light output if the double strips!

Re: Fluorescent light fixture upgrade to LED

Reply #45 –
I really like the bright lights. I put in the natural white light. Three per fixture with the big one in the kitchen having four. And the first one near the driver's seat I only used two, but I'm thinking about adding another one now. I use those lights for when I need to really brighten up the coach. When I'm working inside or cooking or anything like that. When I want the mood lighting then I go to the puck lights the wall sconces  and the LED lights I put in the window valences.
 I put them on foil tape. Hope it helps to disapate heat. Just wish Foretravel put the switches in a central location. Having them spread all over might have been a good idea in 1999, but in 2020
It's not.

Re: Fluorescent light fixture upgrade to LED

Reply #46 –
Pretty even lighting

Re: Fluorescent light fixture upgrade to LED

Reply #47 –
Another thing I have tried with these strips.  A 9 volt battery, a small switch, and a little wire, and I have put them inside a few of my cabinets where some light was needed. They work great and provide plenty of light.
As a test, I hooked a full strip up to a 9 volt battery.  I had it on for 48 hours and it was still going.  They should last quite a while in a cabinet.

Re: Fluorescent light fixture upgrade to LED

Reply #48 –
I've been doing a little light work myself and have some parts if anyone wants them before I trash them just pay postage
Chris

Re: Fluorescent light fixture upgrade to LED

Reply #49 –
Installed the LED in the hall fixture between the bedroom and bathroom, two fixtures in the kitchen and the fixture in the front of the coach.  They really light up the area.  Put 3 strips in all of the fixtures except for the hall fixture it has 2.  Since I had to cut the strips to fit the fixtures I was able to use the cut offs in the closet fixtures.  I put 4 cut offs in each closet fixture.  Works great!  Need to order another box so I can use them in the basement.
John M

Re: Fluorescent light fixture upgrade to LED

Reply #50 –
I was considering using the small end pieces in each cabinet. I think the spacing would work perfect.

So many useful and  practical applications. I ended up with just about every color and wattage arrangement the company makes. I am using them for accent lighting, clearance lighting inside, cabinet lighting, general lighting, utility lighting, etc. 

Re: Fluorescent light fixture upgrade to LED

Reply #51 –
Finally bite the bullet and worked on a few of our overhead lights.  The one over the kitchen table has not worked since we bought the coach and got it working today with LED's as well as the one in the front overhead just behind the passenger chair area.  I knew that the ballasts were out on both and didn't want to invest the cost of going back to the florescent bulbs!  Anyway, a huge shout out to all who went before us and were kind enough to post photos and write ups on their installs.

Well, the internet here is really slow, so guess I will have to wait to load photos!  UGH!



Re: Fluorescent light fixture upgrade to LED

Reply #52 –
I used the led light strips for my bay and coach fluorescent and it was a pretty easy job. Don't know a lot about electric but even I figured it out.  I had to cut the strips to size for each of my fixtures and that left me with 15– 3" strips left over. I threw them in the drawer. I finally found the perfect use for them. I was pricing the marker lights on the front and back an thought $25 each * 10 lights was way too much so I converted the lights to use the 3" leftover strips. Had to trim the plastics cross bar on the lenses with a dremel to allow the led strip to fit.

Re: Fluorescent light fixture upgrade to LED

Reply #53 –
Nice job Tommy!
John M.

Re: Fluorescent light fixture upgrade to LED

Reply #54 –
Awesome use. Man it feels good to use every piece and not waste a thing! You save a butt load of money! !

Re: Fluorescent light fixture upgrade to LED

Reply #55 –
What a great idea. I am sensing a new spirit of creativity arising within the forum! (More great ideas for me to knock off)
jor

Re: Fluorescent light fixture upgrade to LED

Reply #56 –
They get pretty hot. I would want some metal behind them as a heat sink. Let them run a bit and check.

Re: Fluorescent light fixture upgrade to LED

Reply #57 –
For those that are farther along renovating lights than me, what are your favorite butt end connectors for the small ga. wire other than solder?

jk

Re: Fluorescent light fixture upgrade to LED

Reply #58 –

I like long neck crimp caps

Bad link before. This one is OK

Amazon.com: Install Bay CC2218 Crimp Cap Nylon Connector 22/18 Gauge...

Easy to use one handed.  Strip length less critical. Single crimp.

Several sizes, buy bags of 100, sooner or later you will use them all up.

This has been a very useful crimper for these, nice full length crimp.  Hold the cap while you stuff in wires.
Gardner Bender GS-388 Electrical Pliers, Crimper & Cutter, Comfort Grip,...

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.

Re: Fluorescent light fixture upgrade to LED

Reply #59 –
Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 –
I like long neck crimp caps
https://www.amazon.com/your-orders/pop/ref=ppx_yo_mob_b_pop?_encoding=UTF8&gen=canonical&lineItemId=kjlnqsipqlpppw&orderId=116-3792406-2257831&packageId=1&returnSummaryId=&returnUnitIndices=&shipmentId=DZT54YKgk

Easy to use one handed.  Strip length less critical. Single crimp.
Roger, that link takes me to my orders.