huffypuff Report post Posted December 27, 2014 First problem of this trip. The ceiling light rear bedroom went out. It flipped on a couple of times and went out again. It's either lost 12 volts or the ballast. I'm a few days away from even looking at it for we are on the road. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rossboyer Report post Posted December 27, 2014 Difficult to answer, but when you get a chance, remove the light and test the wires with a meter. When you say switch, I assume you mean a wall switch. The switch may be intermittent. If it comes down to replacing the light fixture and you are electrical knowledgeable, consider replacing the bulbs with LEDS. If the fixture is fluorescent, I used 4 strips of LEDs to replace the two bulbs. Doing a search for LED strips will provide to you many solutions. I think mine was a 15 foot roll that was easily cut into 12 inch strips. The web site where I ordered the LED roll had connectors to make the installation easier. One note though, the red wire was negative and the black wire was positive, just reverse of what I expected. If the fixture is incandescent, I used an 8x8 LED panel which gave more light than the bulb. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
desertdeals69 Report post Posted December 27, 2014 Try removing the tubes and turning them end for end. What can happen is the mercury has settled and no longer starts the process. I learned that trick from a Thin Lite rep and it worked for me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CarlAda Report post Posted December 27, 2014 Sounds like a good time to replace the fluorescent with LED. Take a look at Cabin Bright. I replaced all of my overhead fluorescents with Cabin Bright LED. Easy change using existing fixture. Much brighter! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
huffypuff Report post Posted December 28, 2014 Yes it is a fluorescent fixture with what looks like it has two 18 inch tubes. Just for the heck of it I smacked the fixture with the palm of my hand and it came on and worked since. I will still check it out when I get time and know it is not the wall switch. If I don't find the problem I will flip the tubes like as desertdeals69 says. Second problem and this one I knew but had to prove it. The brake lights on the dash comes on dim sometimes. When that happens the leveler refuse to work for it thinks the parking brake is not set. Caught it not working and was able to yank at the wires going into the switch at the parking brake release and the light came on bright. I always like to prove a part bad before replacing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
desertdeals69 Report post Posted December 28, 2014 Yes it is a fluorescent fixture with what looks like it has two 18 inch tubes. Just for the heck of it I smacked the fixture with the palm of my hand and it came on and worked since. I will still check it out when I get time and know it is not the wall switch. If I don't find the problem I will flip the tubes like as desertdeals69 says. Second problem and this one I knew but had to prove it. The brake lights on the dash comes on dim sometimes. When that happens the leveler refuse to work for it thinks the parking brake is not set. Caught it not working and was able to yank at the wires going into the switch at the parking brake release and the light came on bright. I always like to prove a part bad before replacing. I also smack the fixture and the lights came on. I thought that there was a loose wire so I took the fixture out and checked. No loose wire. Then the next time I met with a factory rep he explained what was actually happening and try flipping the tubes. They have been working for several years. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
huffypuff Report post Posted December 29, 2014 Sounds like I will be flipping the tubes as LED still cost too much. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rossboyer Report post Posted December 29, 2014 I did 5 dome lights and two 18" double tube florescent ceiling lights for about $25.00 and have Parts left to do more. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
huffypuff Report post Posted December 30, 2014 I would need 20 florescent tubes to upgrade x 18 inch = 360 inches / 12 inches = 30 feet. Sounds like fun. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hermanmullins Report post Posted December 30, 2014 Sound like a lot of Smack, Smack, turn around till you get home. Herman Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
huffypuff Report post Posted December 30, 2014 Opps I just noticed 6 more tubes in the galley. 4 overhead and 2 under the counter. I'm not going to count the halogen lights as they are also a high number. Herman there are way too many lights in this coach and the new one are worst. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
desertdeals69 Report post Posted December 31, 2014 Sound like a lot of Smack, Smack, turn around till you get home. Herman Mine were 15 years old when I had to smack them and since I turned them around they have been working for another 6 years and still going. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
huffypuff Report post Posted December 31, 2014 It's good to know that works. Found two more tubes ceiling light in the latrine. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jimkate Report post Posted January 5, 2015 Over the last two or three years, I have replaced all the original fluorescent tubes in our coach. Which, considering the age, isn't so bad. Now I'm thinking it's too bad I had not thought of LEDs. O well. Jim Sanderson 1995 Monaco Dynasty 36' 2005 Honda Pilot Canada, eh? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hermanmullins Report post Posted January 5, 2015 Puff, this is just a thought. Since turning the bulbs around seems to temporarily fix the problem, might it be corroded contacts and pins. Herman Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
huling3 Report post Posted January 7, 2015 I have been replacing my florescent lights with LED's at the rate of 6 plus per year. The cost does not hit quite as hard that way and I bought a number of the LED's at rally's at half price or better. When there is a will, there is a way. The improvement is unbelievable. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alltooledup Report post Posted January 9, 2015 I did 5 dome lights and two 18" double tube florescent ceiling lights for about $25.00 and have Parts left to do more. That seems like a really good price. Where did you buy them? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
manholt Report post Posted January 13, 2015 Anybody know how to test the ballast? I have 12 doubles, 8 foot fixtures brand new in my garage and only 2 work. I have smacked and turned them around. Carl Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wolfe10 Report post Posted January 13, 2015 Carl, If you have confirmed 120 VAC to them, replace the bulbs with new. If they don't come on, the ballast is the next "suspect". Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
huffypuff Report post Posted January 13, 2015 I have 12 doubles 4 footers like you do in my garage and at 5 years one went out dead. I checked and had 120 volts to the ballast so replacing it was the answer. I brought the ballast at Lowes and the original electrical contractor swapped it out for me at no charge. These have the newer electronic ballast and use t8 tubes so be sure you match the number on the ballast you take out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
manholt Report post Posted January 14, 2015 I'll let you know. The fixtures was installed in '96 by original builder, I got house in '07. Carl Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
