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Topic: LED replacement fixture that can be used in the bathroom (e.g. lots of moisture) (Read 395 times) previous topic - next topic
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LED replacement fixture that can be used in the bathroom (e.g. lots of moisture)
We are replacing all the lights in our twin king 1989 with LED as the original ones use lots of electricity compared to the current LED ones.

In a house it is required (plumbing code) for lights inside a shower (and if I remember right just outside a shower) to have a light that contains an area that is sealed against water/moisture where the wires from the light are attached to the wires from the ceiling). 

Looking at RV LED replacement fixtures, I am not finding any that specifically address the moisture from the shower and yup they all have wires that dangle out of them to attach to the wires from the ceilings.

We can tuck the wires up into the ceiling and caulk around the fixture to help protect the wires, but we have a fair amount of humidity for hours even doing navy showers.
In the 89 twin king model there is one light above the sink inside the shower and one just outside the shower (a foot or so outside the shower).

Anyone address this to make sure moisture from the shower does not get on their bathroom light wire connections?
Or maybe it is not a big concern with 12v dc (e.g. not 120v ac).

Thanks, Jane
Jane & Scott
Currently have a 1989 TK  LD we did a lot of upgrades on.
Bigfoot 25RQ Twin on order with early summer 2024 ETA

Our smartphone autocorrects into very poor English.
 We disclaim the illusion of ignorance this creates as we have enough ignorance we rightly claim.
Re: LED replacement fixture that can be used in the bathroom (e.g. lots of moisture)
Reply #1 –
It's easy to make a watertight wire splice, which I think is what you're talking about here: use adhesive-lined heat shrink butt splices. First you crimp the connections, then shrink the tubing. The adhesive inside flows to create a gas-tight, watertight seal around the wire. I use FTZ brand Crimp 'n' Seal butt splices and ring terminals for everything up to 10 gauge wire. (For larger cables I use FTZ tinned-copper power lugs, but I have to supply my own shrink tubing for those.)
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: LED replacement fixture that can be used in the bathroom (e.g. lots of moisture)
Reply #2 –
Andy, yes watertight is what I was looking for.  I am not as familiar with butt splices.
The key word to know they are watertight is the "Seal" part of the Crimp 'N Seal Butt Splices?

Jane & Scott
Currently have a 1989 TK  LD we did a lot of upgrades on.
Bigfoot 25RQ Twin on order with early summer 2024 ETA

Our smartphone autocorrects into very poor English.
 We disclaim the illusion of ignorance this creates as we have enough ignorance we rightly claim.
Re: LED replacement fixture that can be used in the bathroom (e.g. lots of moisture)
Reply #4 –
Thanks Andy, I will check out that info.

Steve, , We want to replace the fixtures not just the bulbs - as some are really showing their age.
Since I can do the work myself it is pretty cheap to do and we can easily get the brightness and color light we want with the new fixtures.
Jane
Jane & Scott
Currently have a 1989 TK  LD we did a lot of upgrades on.
Bigfoot 25RQ Twin on order with early summer 2024 ETA

Our smartphone autocorrects into very poor English.
 We disclaim the illusion of ignorance this creates as we have enough ignorance we rightly claim.
Re: LED replacement fixture that can be used in the bathroom (e.g. lots of moisture)
Reply #5 –
Quote from: JandS2  - 
Thanks Andy, I will check out that info.

Steve, , We want to replace the fixtures not just the bulbs - as some are really showing their age.
Since I can do the work myself it is pretty cheap to do and we can easily get the brightness and color light we want with the new fixtures.
I have not seen problems with the LEDs in the shower.
The moisture build up is minimal,  few folks take long, steamy showers.
As a preventative, if the new fixture's bulbs have bayonet bases, butter the socket and bulb's base with dielectric grease.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: LED replacement fixture that can be used in the bathroom (e.g. lots of moisture)
Reply #6 –
Jane and Scott; You had it correct on that last part. 12 vdc is no concern vs 120v. Water tightness is only slightly a concern at the connections. Water can make the metal corrode after a few years. It is not a shock hazard ever. A crimp properly done is gas tight and watertight where the actual metal connection. is. You will find that Lazy Daze just uses a twist on wire nut of the proper size. I put a small (about 3" long, 1/8" wide) tywrap at the base of the wire nut to keep the wires together. Wrap the nut gently about two turns with vinyl electrical tape. LD is mostly concerned with water from a roof leak getting into the wire connections. It is not about shock hazard! Stuff those wire nut splices into the ceiling and attach the LED fixture into the ceiling. No need for caulking or anything. Water vapor condensing will drip off and not invade the ceiling. The Tywrap at the base of the wire nut is so you can pull hard on the wires to get them back out of the ceiling without separating and leaving a wire stranded in the ceiling should you want to work on the junction again at a later date.
  120 vac house wiring needs to be sealed, because water vapor can conduct enough electricity through the water to shock you. On my light fixtures OEM from lazy Daze they drill a drain hole in the middle of the plastic cap to let water drain out.  I prefer a 300-450 lumen light at about 4000 Kelvin color temperature. Bright white, but not the harsh glare of 6000 K, or the dim yellow of a 2700 K. The 2700 is to simulate incandescent, which I'm trying to avoid in the first place.
    Bruce P. on LDOF recently listed the overhead LED lights that LD used in 2013. Made by Kaper II (thats a two in roman numerals) They are a single fixture LO 9-110-NW Neutral white at 3500 K and 180 lumens. Better is the double fixture LO 9-0111 NW. A three way switch included allows the use of one half 180 LM, or both halves at 360 LM, for when you want it really bright. Again in neutral white at 3500K. I've seen these in many brands of motor homes besides LD. 
    LED | Washington | Kaper II           That link is for the double fixture at the end of the page.  RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: LED replacement fixture that can be used in the bathroom (e.g. lots of moisture)
Reply #7 –
Quote from: JandS2  - 
Steve, , We want to replace the fixtures not just the bulbs - as some are really showing their age.
Since I can do the work myself it is pretty cheap to do and we can easily get the brightness and color light we want with the new fixtures.

In that case, replace the fixtures with incandescent ones, then replace the bulbs with LED versions that are sealed. This will avoid moisture issues.

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: LED replacement fixture that can be used in the bathroom (e.g. lots of moisture)
Reply #8 –
"We want to replace the fixtures not just the bulbs - as some are really showing their age.
Since I can do the work myself it is pretty cheap to do and we can easily get the brightness and color light we want with the new fixtures."

I replaced all of the incandescent bulbs inside my coach a couple of years ago with M4 LED bulbs with no problems.  Last fall I installed fixtures in my rear closet and two in the kitchen cabinets below the stove\sink so I don't have to use a flashlight all the time to find what I'm looking for.  I got the fixtures and bulbs from M4 for this as well.  They're a bit bigger than the factory fixtures, look good and serve the purpose well.  Note there are several different 'color choices' for the LED's on the page as well.

Euro Ceiling Fixture
Bill
2003 -- 23' FL
Re: LED replacement fixture that can be used in the bathroom (e.g. lots of moisture)
Reply #9 –

Replacement fixture that comes with LED's. Double at 550 Lumens. Comes with a dual switch to use half the light at 275 lumens  for when you don't need that much light, or both halves lit. Available from Amazon for our LDOF funding. Color temp of 4000 - 4500 Kelvin.

     Amazon.com: 5 Pack RV LED Ceiling Double Dome Light Fixture with ON/OFF...

Easy installation.   RonB

As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: LED replacement fixture that can be used in the bathroom (e.g. lots of moisture)
Reply #10 –
Quote from: RonB  - 
Replacement fixture that comes with LED's. Double at 550 Lumens. Comes with a dual switch to use half the light at 275 lumens  for when you don't need that much light, or both halves lit. Available from Amazon for our LDOF funding. Color temp of 4000 - 4500 Kelvin.

    Amazon.com: 5 Pack RV LED Ceiling Double Dome Light Fixture with ON/OFF...

Easy installation.  RonB
Ron, are these lights an easy swap (fixture-wise) with the existing lights I have in my '02? When using with a wall switch, as in my shower, the wall switch would control the light and one would change the switch on the fixture to whichever lumen one wanted? 

Chris
As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
 
Re: LED replacement fixture that can be used in the bathroom (e.g. lots of moisture)
Reply #11 –
Hi Chris. Yes the switch looks like a center off slide switch. One way for just half lit up, all the opposite way for both halves to light. Center off. With a wall switch you could leave it at the brightness you used last. Visitors might actually turn it off at the light, but would probably leave the wall switch on. You might get used to using one switch over the other because of a preference. The 'bulbs' are removable panels with 24 surface mount LED chips. So if an LED failed you could replace the entire panel just by removing a screw. I haven't seen one in the flesh yet. At 11+" by 5" wide they are large. They should cover scars from a removed fixture. Two inches thick will hang down maybe 1/2" more than the fixtures my TK came with. It looks like the minimum order is two fixtures, but you can also just order the single 'bulb' fixture too.   RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: LED replacement fixture that can be used in the bathroom (e.g. lots of moisture)
Reply #12 –
I don't recommend using a fixture with a switch in the shower, unless the entire assembly is designed for wet environments.

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: LED replacement fixture that can be used in the bathroom (e.g. lots of moisture)
Reply #13 –
"I don't recommend using a fixture with a switch in the shower,..."

Steve

What Chris did not say is that the shower switch (on the 30') is located on the outside of the shower enclosure.
It controls the interior light.

What he will have to do, vis a vis, the new fixture wiring, is anyone's guess.   ::)
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: LED replacement fixture that can be used in the bathroom (e.g. lots of moisture)
Reply #14 –
Quote from: RonB  - 
Hi Chris. Yes the switch looks like a center off slide switch. One way for just half lit up, all the opposite way for both halves to light. Center off. With a wall switch you could leave it at the brightness you used last. Visitors might actually turn it off at the light, but would probably leave the wall switch on. You might get used to using one switch over the other because of a preference. The 'bulbs' are removable panels with 24 surface mount LED chips. So if an LED failed you could replace the entire panel just by removing a screw. I haven't seen one in the flesh yet. At 11+" by 5" wide they are large. They should cover scars from a removed fixture. Two inches thick will hang down maybe 1/2" more than the fixtures my TK came with. It looks like the minimum order is two fixtures, but you can also just order the single 'bulb' fixture too.  RonB
Thanks for the comments, Ron, Steve and Steve. As I recall, in my 30' (in storage) I have 4 of these single bulb lights - 2 in the bedroom, 1 in the shower and 1 in the lounge area near the TV. It probably would make more sense simply to replace the incadescent bulbs with LEDs rather than pop for new fixtures. 

Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
Re: LED replacement fixture that can be used in the bathroom (e.g. lots of moisture)
Reply #15 –
"...2 in the bedroom, 1 in the shower and 1 in the lounge area..."

That's exactly what I did and it makes a world of difference!   ;)
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!
Re: LED replacement fixture that can be used in the bathroom (e.g. lots of moisture)
Reply #16 –
   I was showing my LED ceiling lights to a fellow Caravaner at Lake Perris this last month and his comment was 'you sure have a lot of lights!' Well, you don't run all of them at once. It's a matter of having lights available near to where you are at the time.  I hardly ever have more than two lights on at a time. I improved the range hood light so I can see what I'm cooking, Then M4 LED replacement for the over counter/sink florescent light while fixing food  and cleaning up.  Two, just the plug in replacements from Camping World for the bathroom. (If you don't spray the ceiling, the light switches will survive just fine). Four in the over cab area. Most roads are crowned and when parked in front of friends houses, I prefer my head to be higher than my feet, and I wanted lights near my head. LD wouldn't delete the lights on the passenger side, but they did add two more on the driver side. One in the closet, Also a plug-in LED bulb, with switches for each door. And one, I added, at the back underneath the aft cabinet, closer to the table. Then the three, used to be florescent's, two underneath the cabinets and one on the ceiling over the table.  RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: LED replacement fixture that can be used in the bathroom (e.g. lots of moisture)
Reply #17 –

These are the ones we ordered to use for replacements.

They are made for RVs.

Shallower so they don't stick out as much. And we like the look better.

Check the options for choices - some have switches, some don't. Some are warm led (our choice) and some are brighter natural white. Some with switches give you different levels of brightness.
Limits and light color are listed in the description.

We asked about the 3" warm ones for use in the shower and the seller said they were completely sealed and ok even with a switch (we don't have a wall switch for the bathroom). Other people are using them in boat showers with no problems for what that is worth. The company has a web page available to check out and contact them directly.

Ours are still in the mail (here today and tomorrow) so we will check them out after we get them and try them out (over the next week or so).
RV led lights - dream lighting company
Jane

As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Jane & Scott
Currently have a 1989 TK  LD we did a lot of upgrades on.
Bigfoot 25RQ Twin on order with early summer 2024 ETA

Our smartphone autocorrects into very poor English.
 We disclaim the illusion of ignorance this creates as we have enough ignorance we rightly claim.
Re: LED replacement fixture that can be used in the bathroom (e.g. lots of moisture)
Reply #18 –
Jane, was there supposed to be a link to those lights in your post? I didn't see one.
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: LED replacement fixture that can be used in the bathroom (e.g. lots of moisture)
Reply #19 –

Andy, yes there was supposed to be a link.

I copied it, I was sure I pasted it.  Oh, when I looked I had just pasted it instead of using the insert link and so it put it there but no text that went with the link so it was an invisible to you all (and me on my phone) - lol.

I fixed the post above but for those that already read it, the link is here:
RV led lights - dream lighting company

Jane

As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Jane & Scott
Currently have a 1989 TK  LD we did a lot of upgrades on.
Bigfoot 25RQ Twin on order with early summer 2024 ETA

Our smartphone autocorrects into very poor English.
 We disclaim the illusion of ignorance this creates as we have enough ignorance we rightly claim.
Re: LED replacement fixture that can be used in the bathroom (e.g. lots of moisture)
Reply #20 –
Liquid tape.
LD 22', 1989 Custom Build. Chassis 1990 Chevy Van G30, 5.7l.