New LED Light Fixtures July 11, 2022, 09:30:29 pm Before my "Fun with Fire" day, I started a project to replace all of the fluorescent tube light fixtures with LEDs.I had two fixtures that were not working though the tubes were fine (forum consensus was that I likely had a ballast problem). The previous owner had 2 new left LED tube lights that I tried to install following the instructions on the M4LED website as well as the instructions that came with the lights. I just couldn't do it. I was very confused.Since I only had 2 tubes and needed four to fix the 2nd light (in reality I wanted to replace them all with LEDs), I opted for a different tact. Each tube from M4 was about $25 (that's $250 for all fixtures). I found replacement fixtures on Amazon for $213 total for 5. The new fixtures have dimmers!Leisure LED RV LED Ceiling Light Fixture 20" x 6.5" -1450 Lumen with Touch Dimmer Switch Interior Lighting for Car/RV/Trailer/Camper/Boat DC 12V Natural White 4000-4500KI have replaced 4 of the 5 so far. It has been super simple. I saved the fixture above the dinette for last just because I have to work in an awkward position.The only real issue I've had is that the screw holes in the new fixture do not line up with the old fixture holes. The holes in the new fixture are closer together front to back. In order to screw in the back side of the new fixture, I had to add 19x1x2 in wood for the screws to bite into. The new lights are a cooler white than the old fixtures. Keeping the dimmer at 25% works best for me.Fun Facts: Original fixture with tubes weighs 2.544 lbs. New fixture weighs 1.162 lbsI plan to give away the old fixtures to anyone who needs/wants them. The LED tubes will also be available. I'll post in the Classified section when I'm ready. 10 Likes As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Re: New LED Light Fixtures Reply #1 – July 11, 2022, 10:35:31 pm That's a great solution. I like the look. I just did all mine with LED strips but I think yours is a better way to go. Nice job.jor 1 Likes
Re: New LED Light Fixtures Reply #2 – July 12, 2022, 12:10:23 am This is neat and seems so much brighter than before! great upgrade!! I always thought about doing that, then I went with a sipler but more expensive solution of using led tubes that fit in the same spot. Can't say I'm LOVING it, but it does the job just fine.One thing I noticed on your photos though, is that the cables are showing a lot of metal out of the wago clips. this can be a fire hazard since both positive and negative are doing that, and when bare electric cables touch they produce heat.I would suggest trimming up the metal part of the wires and put them back in to the wago clips. as an added safety, wrapping some electrical tape just in case.I had one of my wago get really hot, not sure why really, but I think it touched a metal clip inside the inner ceiling, and was getting hot. Luckily I caught it in time since it was melting the plastic on the wago! 2 Likes
Re: New LED Light Fixtures Reply #3 – July 12, 2022, 05:26:21 am Quote from: majortom - July 12, 2022, 12:10:23 amOne thing I noticed on your photos though, is that the cables are showing a lot of metal out of the wago clips. this can be a fire hazard since both positive and negative are doing that, and when bare electric cables touch they produce heat.I would suggest trimming up the metal part of the wires and put them back in to the wago clips. as an added safety, wrapping some electrical tape just in case.I had one of my wago get really hot, not sure why really, but I think it touched a metal clip inside the inner ceiling, and was getting hot. Luckily I caught it in time since it was melting the plastic on the wago!I did wrap them in electrical tape. I just didn't take a picture of the tape. Thanks for the warning! 2 Likes
Re: New LED Light Fixtures Reply #4 – July 12, 2022, 01:39:45 pm "One thing I noticed on your photos though, is that the cables are showing a lot of metal out of the wago clips."Wow, no kidding! That should NEVER be allowed to happen, regardless of what type of connector you're using--Wagos, wire nuts, you name it. And taping isn't adequate protection, since the tape could loosen over time, and stray strands could poke through. Nor should it be necessary; a Wago connector properly applied should leave no metal exposed. (The reason for taping wire nuts is not to insulate--there should be no exposed wire--but because wire nuts can loosen with vibration and eventually come off. Tape helps prevent that.)Deb, I hate to say it, but you really need to go back, cut off the ends of those wires (because they're all twisted and mangled from the wire nuts that were used previously), and re-strip them to the correct 3/8" length before re-inserting them into the Wago connectors. There should be NO exposed wire when you're done, and no need for tape. 4 Likes
Re: New LED Light Fixtures Reply #5 – July 12, 2022, 02:09:13 pm yeah... attached is a picture of how the cable connects, and on it you can see how the rubber from the wire starts where the metal part of the wago doesn't touch it, and is still inside the wago plastic section. 2 Likes
Re: New LED Light Fixtures Reply #6 – July 12, 2022, 02:39:43 pm Quote from: Andy Baird - July 12, 2022, 01:39:45 pmDeb, I hate to say it, but you really need to go back, cut off the ends of those wires (because they're all twisted and mangled from the wire nuts that were used previously), and re-strip them to the correct 3/8" length before re-inserting them into the Wago connectors. There should be NO exposed wire when you're done, and no need for tape.Will do! 3 Likes
Topic: New LED Light Fixtures (Read 217 times)
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Topic: New LED Light Fixtures (Read 217 times)
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