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Topic: Free Flourescent Light Fixture Lenses (Read 8 times) previous topic - next topic
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Free Flourescent Light Fixture Lenses
Yahoo Message Number: 149663
Not even sure if it's worth posting, but the original owner replaced two Sun Ray light fixtures in my 92' LD and left me the old ones. The ballasts are bad, but the two lenses are still good.  I'm offering these up for the price of shipping from California 92342... I hope this helps someone out with a missing or cracked lens.
Re: Free Flourescent Light Fixture Lenses
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 149670
As a note, these could be useful for you or someone else interested in replacing the tubes with LED strips, or LED tube replacements, neither of which require the ballasts nor the associated circuitry. The strip option is very inexpensive, and this would allow easy experimentation before committing.

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: Free Flourescent Light Fixture Lenses
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 149673
Where is the best place to procure these LED based strips? I want to convert 4 florescent fixtures to strip LED's. Also have 4 incandescent bulb fixtures. Can you get LED's to fit socket or is there a better way?

With all the solar I have this didn't seem important before but my batteries like me are aging. I want to lighten the load on them a bit. I have seen the warm white LED's in a rig and it brightened it up nicely.

Bob
Re: Free Flourescent Light Fixture Lenses
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 149674
Where is the best place to procure these LED based strips? I want to  convert 4 florescent fixtures to strip LED's. Also have 4 incandescent  bulb fixtures. Can you get LED's to fit socket or is there a better way?
 Bob I converted 24 foot LD to 100% LED. 5 florescent lights and 10 incandescent lights over to LED and the cost was l about $100. That included the outside porch light stove hood light and 2 night lights. (at stairs and kitchen). When I have more time tonight or tomorrow will wright more about it and where to get  them.

PS did not do the frig.

George

Retired Plumber
Re: Free Flourescent Light Fixture Lenses
Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 149675
Thanks George. If all lights can be converted for $100 I'm in. Please send info when you can. If you want to email it to bobmoore14 at gmail.com that would be good too.

Thank, Bob
Re: Free Flourescent Light Fixture Lenses
Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 149678
Pretty sure I did a write up when I did mine as well.

LED strips were bought on eBay, shipped directly from our "friends" and trading partners in the People's Republic.

When searching for the strips, be aware of the LED type (5050 is brightest), the number of LEDs (density - look for 300 on a 5 meter roll), and whether they are waterproof or not (for swapping out fluorescent tubes the non-waterproof is cheaper and does the job).and color temperature (most prefer warm white - I used a combination of cool and warm white. The cool white does put out a bit more light.)

Cost has come down by 50% since I did mine, the roll described now is around $8 and that includes shipping.

Note that you will need soldering skills unless you buy a pre-made kit, and being as I have not issues with soldering, I don't know about source of $$ for that.

I also used hot melt glue for additional bonding at the strip ends to the metal reflector - - in hot temperature, the strips have tended to sag down and the hot melt glue solves that. Be sure to clean the reflector w/ alcohol or similar before attaching strips.

bumper
bumper
"Yonder" '05 MB
"WLDBLU" glider trailer
Re: Free Flourescent Light Fixture Lenses
Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 149679
Bob

The LEDs on a roll are available all over the net. Check Ebay They come in various degrees of brightness and bulb colors, at very fair prices.
Some even have waterproof covers.
Next time I see you, you can take a look at the variations ..
If interested, search the achieves, this has been discussed multiple times and DIY methods documented by several.

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: Free Flourescent Light Fixture Lenses
Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 149680
Steve, I'm interested in converting to LED lighting and I read your posts early on...My concern is actually creating too much light with the strips.  My wife likes to refer to the current fixtures as, "Retina Burners".  Have you experienced harsh lighting/glare from the single LEDs?  I'm trying to find something with a built in dimmer in case the LEDs are too bright...Also, are there heat issues with the strip lights?

Thanks, John
Re: Free Flourescent Light Fixture Lenses
Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 149681
John, with the lenses off, the strip emitters are very bright points of light. The fixture lenses cure that - you still see the individual emitters, but the glare eliminated and the light is diffused and softened. One advantage is you can use however many strips you want. I found three strips ideal, many folks use four. Each group of three emitters in a strip runs independently from 12V.

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: Free Flourescent Light Fixture Lenses
Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 149682
John, with the lenses off, the strip emitters are very bright points of light.  The fixture lenses cure that - you still see the individual emitters, but the  glare eliminated and the light is diffused and softened. One advantage is you  can use however many strips you want. I found three strips ideal, many folks use  four. Each group of three emitters in a strip runs independently from 12V.


 John is right about the way that the lenses changes the lighting. In the center of the kitchen LD put a incandescent light. I removed it and installed a florescence light. This light has a thinner cheaper lens. I was supprised how much more light this fixture puts out. Two rows instead of 3 would have been enough. In the LD lights that are over the chairs and couch I used 4 rows; This is where you set and read.  The other florescence lights I used 3 rows.
Re: Free Flourescent Light Fixture Lenses
Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 149683
"fixture lenses cure that - you still see the individual emitters, but the glare eliminated and the light is diffused and softened"

To diffused light even more , the inside of the lens can be polished with fine steel wool, producing a hazy surface.
There are many other LEDs available, besides LEDs on a roll. I use a lot of LED spots and flood lights.
Here is a small selection of possibilities https://www.flickr.com/photos/lwade/sets/72157602095132658/show

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