Lazy Daze Owners' Group

Light Fixture Troubleshooting

January 17, 2022, 11:16:46 am

I need some help troubleshooting an issue with a light in the lounge area of my 2003 MB.

The light fixture above the sofa on the passenger side has gone out (BF = Bad Fixture). Thinking the tubes might have gone bad, I swapped them for the tubes from the fixture in the aisle near the Fantastic Fan (GF = Good Fixture). The lights from the GF did not work in the BF. The lights from the BF worked perfectly fine in the GF. This leads me to think there is an electrical issue that I don't know how to pursue.

As an additional note, the light above the kitchen sink/counter has started to go off then come back on. Not sure if the problems are related or the age of my rig is requiring some other maintenance that I have not been doing.

Any suggestions?

Re: Light Fixture Troubleshooting

Reply #2 – January 17, 2022, 11:40:31 am

The ballast in these is electronic, underneath the snap-out baffle between the tubes. Usually the little electrolytic capacitors blow apart, and replacing them brings back normal operation - if you are soldering-adept. Otherwise, no parts available, and cutting out the ballast and installing LED replacement tubes is the easiest solution. Lots of info on the site about that.

Steve

Re: Light Fixture Troubleshooting

Reply #4 – January 17, 2022, 12:07:24 pm

Deb, M4 LED lighting's website has a "how to" install LED replacement tubes; the info is under the "Resources" tab.

M4 Sales.com

Re: Light Fixture Troubleshooting

Reply #6 – January 17, 2022, 01:06:08 pm

Hi Debbie;  I have some old ballasts left over from my fixtures. I replaced all of my 7 florescents (14 tubes) with LED, the last one just last year. My regret is the two center fixtures I put in first were not M4, and are too harsh and bright. But I took out the sockets too, so I can't put in the M4 ones as easily.  I chose the natural white color, 4500K. They are a near perfect match for what you have now.  I had converted fixtures next to original florescent tubes, and it was hard to tell them apart, except they came on quicker, especially in cold weather.  An even more important advantage is the LED lights use less than half the power. 
    Replacing a ballast is more work than putting in the LED lights.    RonB

Re: Light Fixture Troubleshooting

Reply #8 – January 17, 2022, 05:14:33 pm

"Cool bright white" lighting (6000K) is what I think of as appropriate for the morgue.

YMMV, of course.