Full Version: New Casita Lighting
FiberglassRV > All About Our Unique Little Molded Fiberglass Trailers > Modifications, Alterations and Neat Updates
My '99 Casita 17' Freedom came with these light fixtures throughout. Each fixture has a single 1141 bulb rated at 18 watts at 12 volts. The two fixtures above the side dinette just did not provide sufficient light for reading or for working my crosswords.
I bought two of these flourescent fixtures from Camper's Choice. Each is rated at 16 watts at 12 volts. They should produce about 3 times as much light output as the incandescent fixtures they replace.
Here is the two fixtures installed in Lazy M. I took the pictures at night to show the amount of light.
12v huh, nice. light is good.:cool
looks real good - may I suggest that instead of COOL WHITE (F8T5/CW) that next time you try and find DAYLIGHT (F8T5/D) :)
QUOTE
Orginally posted by Rick
looks real good - may I suggest that instead of COOL WHITE (F8T5/CW) that next time you try and find DAYLIGHT (F8T5/D) :)
looks real good - may I suggest that instead of COOL WHITE (F8T5/CW) that next time you try and find DAYLIGHT (F8T5/D) :)
Thanks Rick,
These tubes will probably outlive me. :weep The electronic ballast is supposed to extend the life of the tubes. It also reduces heat and electrical noise.
We have daylight tubes in our bathroom at home; they make a real difference. :sunny
Hey Morgan! You just keep solving those crossword puzzles and you'll likely live to be 100. Our friend's mother just died at 94 and she worked both of the Republic's crossword puzzles every day and in ink.:wave
Darline
Darline
QUOTE
Orginally posted by Bill and Darline Harper
Hey Morgan! You just keep solving those crossword puzzles and you'll likely live to be 100. Our friend's mother just died at 94 and she worked both of the Republic's crossword puzzles every day and in ink.:wave
Darline
Hey Morgan! You just keep solving those crossword puzzles and you'll likely live to be 100. Our friend's mother just died at 94 and she worked both of the Republic's crossword puzzles every day and in ink.:wave
Darline
I hope I don't, Darline. :wink
I just do the Sunday crosswords and never in ink. I sometimes wear a hole in the paper erasing. :bh Remember my sign?
If you need light fixtures, I have extras. :laugh
Morgan, thanks for posting the pics and info. I have been eyeing those at Camping World (and other places) for a long time. I had wondered how they would work. I've also wondered if the would produce less heat than the regular lights. If so, that would be an added benefit.
Man, I gotta go to Phoenix and have you make some improvements for me, Morgan!
I'd love to convert one of the many lamps to a mini-fluorescent.
Also like to convert one of them to a multi-LED light (Our webmaster Michael tells me he may have a source for these early next year. I told him I'd buy the first one (if Morgan will come and install it!)
I'd love to convert one of the many lamps to a mini-fluorescent.
Also like to convert one of them to a multi-LED light (Our webmaster Michael tells me he may have a source for these early next year. I told him I'd buy the first one (if Morgan will come and install it!)
Morgan:
Pull your blinds the other way............
I think I see the silouette of Charles sitting outside your dining window with a book in his hand.
:inbox
=========
Rick says try 'Daylight' ???....
The F8T5CW is rated at 4,150k,
The F8T5D (daylight) is rated at 6,250k.....
for reading, daylight would 'sharpen' the text, improve the contrast on the printed page.
with two fixtures, you'd be the perfect guy to 'test' the two types of bulbs. For $10. whaddya think?? You've gone this far........
:jump
=========
according to my book, each bulb is 8w @ 120v?!:o
Pull your blinds the other way............
I think I see the silouette of Charles sitting outside your dining window with a book in his hand.
:inbox
=========
Rick says try 'Daylight' ???....
The F8T5CW is rated at 4,150k,
The F8T5D (daylight) is rated at 6,250k.....
for reading, daylight would 'sharpen' the text, improve the contrast on the printed page.
with two fixtures, you'd be the perfect guy to 'test' the two types of bulbs. For $10. whaddya think?? You've gone this far........
:jump
=========
according to my book, each bulb is 8w @ 120v?!:o
QUOTE
Orginally posted by PineConeDon
Morgan:
Pull your blinds the other way............
I think I see the silouette of Charles sitting outside your dining window with a book in his hand.
:inbox
=========
Rick says try 'Daylight' ???....
The F8T5CW is rated at 4,150k,
The F8T5D (daylight) is rated at 6,250k.....
for reading, daylight would 'sharpen' the text, improve the contrast on the printed page.
with two fixtures, you'd be the perfect guy to 'test' the two types of bulbs. For $10. whaddya think?? You've gone this far........
:jump
Morgan:
Pull your blinds the other way............
I think I see the silouette of Charles sitting outside your dining window with a book in his hand.
:inbox
=========
Rick says try 'Daylight' ???....
The F8T5CW is rated at 4,150k,
The F8T5D (daylight) is rated at 6,250k.....
for reading, daylight would 'sharpen' the text, improve the contrast on the printed page.
with two fixtures, you'd be the perfect guy to 'test' the two types of bulbs. For $10. whaddya think?? You've gone this far........
:jump
PCD,
I'm way cheap, so I'll wait 'til the tubes expire before testing the daylight bulbs.
QUOTE
=========
according to my book, each bulb is 8w @ 120v?!:o
according to my book, each bulb is 8w @ 120v?!:o
PCD,
Your book is probably right. There must be a little magic thingie inside that changes the 12vdc into 120vac. :yep
QUOTE
Orginally posted by Suz
Morgan, thanks for posting the pics and info. I have been eyeing those at Camping World (and other places) for a long time. I had wondered how they would work. I've also wondered if the would produce less heat than the regular lights. If so, that would be an added benefit.
Morgan, thanks for posting the pics and info. I have been eyeing those at Camping World (and other places) for a long time. I had wondered how they would work. I've also wondered if the would produce less heat than the regular lights. If so, that would be an added benefit.
Suz,
I don't think $CW has them (this brand) with the new ballast.
Try Campers Choice. They're $30.75 each and you don't have to pay an annual fee. Item number is E244.
http://shop.hiwaay.net/cgi-bin/camperschoi...oice.storefront
QUOTE
Orginally posted by Charles Watts
Man, I gotta go to Phoenix and have you make some improvements for me, Morgan!
I'd love to convert one of the many lamps to a mini-fluorescent.
Also like to convert one of them to a multi-LED light (Our webmaster Michael tells me he may have a source for these early next year. I told him I'd buy the first one (if Morgan will come and install it!)
Man, I gotta go to Phoenix and have you make some improvements for me, Morgan!
I'd love to convert one of the many lamps to a mini-fluorescent.
Also like to convert one of them to a multi-LED light (Our webmaster Michael tells me he may have a source for these early next year. I told him I'd buy the first one (if Morgan will come and install it!)
Michael and I both bought a multi LED light fixture, but it was too dim for reading. Michael has information on a super bright unit.
QUOTE
Orginally posted by Morgan Bulger
Michael and I both bought a multi LED light fixture, but it was too dim for reading. Michael has information on a super bright unit.
The NEW trick LEDs are over the top price wise. I don’t even know if I told you about those Morgan. Luxeon LEDs are $12.50 each.
Michael and I both bought a multi LED light fixture, but it was too dim for reading. Michael has information on a super bright unit.
Now, they last 100,000 hours and give off something like 4 times the brightness of the Bright white LEDs. Also, they use less electricity then any other LED so I’m told.
Too pricy for my little RV.
So what I’m working on is an cluster of 7 Bright White LEDs. I may have a proto type in January.
I agree with everyone here. I like those lights. Really seems to brighten up the area nicely! Well done Morgan, you get a big 2 thumbs up... AAAaaaaaaaa!
The next thing I'll try is to remove one tube from each fixture. If it will run like that, it should use maybe 9 or 10 watts. I'll let you know if it works and if it produces sufficient light.
:sunny
:sunny
Consider using the two light fixtures that you removed----Power them from one of Charles' jumpits. One suggestion install one in a location that you could reach from bed at night and the other in a storage compartment. (or anywhere you want light and not powered from the TT battery).
Happy camping,
Ross
Happy camping,
Ross
Hey, M & M ... please make me one of these 9-volt lights, ok? It would come in handy as a little dry camping light for moving around inside the trailer.
Here's how the guy said he made it:
It does indeed use two 5mm, 20 degree Cree (or nichia depending on how cheap I can find them) LEDs wired in series with a 47 ohm resister inside the battery snap. The math tells me I'm driving these LEDs at almost twice their max rated current but I'm counting on people breaking them or losing them long before the LED's toast. All of the voids inside the battery snap and the light head are filled with hot melt glue to offer some resistance to friction and water damage. The wire is tough, nylon coated, 24 gauge solid, 2 conductor intercom wire available at Radio Shack for about 10 cents a foot. The heavy duty battery snaps can also be found at Radio Shack for 40 cents a copy. They are designed to be quite durable
Here's how the guy said he made it:
It does indeed use two 5mm, 20 degree Cree (or nichia depending on how cheap I can find them) LEDs wired in series with a 47 ohm resister inside the battery snap. The math tells me I'm driving these LEDs at almost twice their max rated current but I'm counting on people breaking them or losing them long before the LED's toast. All of the voids inside the battery snap and the light head are filled with hot melt glue to offer some resistance to friction and water damage. The wire is tough, nylon coated, 24 gauge solid, 2 conductor intercom wire available at Radio Shack for about 10 cents a foot. The heavy duty battery snaps can also be found at Radio Shack for 40 cents a copy. They are designed to be quite durable
I am interested - can you provide more info / pictures...or did I miss something? :o
QUOTE
Orginally posted by Ross
Consider using the two light fixtures that you removed----Power them from one of Charles' jumpits. One suggestion install one in a location that you could reach from bed at night and the other in a storage compartment. (or anywhere you want light and not powered from the TT battery).
Happy camping,
Ross
Consider using the two light fixtures that you removed----Power them from one of Charles' jumpits. One suggestion install one in a location that you could reach from bed at night and the other in a storage compartment. (or anywhere you want light and not powered from the TT battery).
Happy camping,
Ross
Ross,
That's a good idea, powering my lights from Charles' Jump-its. :banana
I have a Casita, which has lights I can reach from bed and which has no storage compartments (well, there is one, but it's tiny). :chin
QUOTE
Orginally posted by Charles Watts
Hey, M & M ... please make me one of these 9-volt lights, ok? It would come in handy as a little dry camping light for moving around inside the trailer.
------------------------
Here's how the guy said he made it:
It does indeed use two 5mm, 20 degree Cree (or nichia depending on how cheap I can find them) LEDs wired in series with a 47 ohm resister inside the battery snap. The math tells me I'm driving these LEDs at almost twice their max rated current but I'm counting on people breaking them or losing them long before the LED's toast. All of the voids inside the battery snap and the light head are filled with hot melt glue to offer some resistance to friction and water damage. The wire is tough, nylon coated, 24 gauge solid, 2 conductor intercom wire available at Radio Shack for about 10 cents a foot. The heavy duty battery snaps can also be found at Radio Shack for 40 cents a copy. They are designed to be quite durable
Hey, M & M ... please make me one of these 9-volt lights, ok? It would come in handy as a little dry camping light for moving around inside the trailer.
------------------------
Here's how the guy said he made it:
It does indeed use two 5mm, 20 degree Cree (or nichia depending on how cheap I can find them) LEDs wired in series with a 47 ohm resister inside the battery snap. The math tells me I'm driving these LEDs at almost twice their max rated current but I'm counting on people breaking them or losing them long before the LED's toast. All of the voids inside the battery snap and the light head are filled with hot melt glue to offer some resistance to friction and water damage. The wire is tough, nylon coated, 24 gauge solid, 2 conductor intercom wire available at Radio Shack for about 10 cents a foot. The heavy duty battery snaps can also be found at Radio Shack for 40 cents a copy. They are designed to be quite durable
Charles, try one of these. :jump-r
Hey, I just noticed two of those LEDs don't light. Time to get out the Logic Analyzer and the Time Domain Reflectometer. :censor
Morgan, I already have some LED flashlights ....
What I want is a couple of LEDs attached to a small piece of wire, with a snap cap to a 9-volt. Better yet would be a couple of LEDs attached to a little case containing a couple or 4 AA batteries (because they are cheaper).
Easy, simple, quick LED lighting.
I have a little solar powered single LED "solar candle" thingie ... but often the sun doesn't shine.
Come on! I know you can do it (and is beyond my capability!)! Go to Radio Shack and start playing!
PS Nice pix of that rare snow/ice storm in Phoenix!
What I want is a couple of LEDs attached to a small piece of wire, with a snap cap to a 9-volt. Better yet would be a couple of LEDs attached to a little case containing a couple or 4 AA batteries (because they are cheaper).
Easy, simple, quick LED lighting.
I have a little solar powered single LED "solar candle" thingie ... but often the sun doesn't shine.
Come on! I know you can do it (and is beyond my capability!)! Go to Radio Shack and start playing!
PS Nice pix of that rare snow/ice storm in Phoenix!
QUOTE
Orginally posted by Charles Watts
Morgan, I already have some LED flashlights ....
... Better yet would be a couple of LEDs attached to a little case containing a couple or 4 AA batteries (because they are cheaper).
Morgan, I already have some LED flashlights ....
... Better yet would be a couple of LEDs attached to a little case containing a couple or 4 AA batteries (because they are cheaper).
Charles,
That sounds a lot like my flashlight; "a couple of LEDs attached to a little case containing a couple or 4 AA batteries."
:cblob :cblob :cblob
That recipe your friend gave you has a problem. Never use solid wire when it is subject to flexing. Use stranded wire instead.
I plan to use one of the light fixtures I removed in the okie box (cap) on my pickup. The other is available, cheap.
:wave
:wave
One country but at least four words in primary language for the same thing:
Okie Box
Cap
Topper
Canopy
Pete and Rats
PS Yesterday, a woman pulled up outside a store in her little pickup truck as I was walking out into the rain. I noticed that she had a full-sized topper on her short-bed truck, so it was overhanging the tailgate by almost a foot. I told her it would be best not to park there; she replied she was only going to pick up a load right inside the door. I said that wasn't what I meant -- I told her I was afraid her truck would shrink some more and the topper might fall off -- It's nice to see people laugh! :)
Pete and Rats
Okie Box
Cap
Topper
Canopy
Pete and Rats
PS Yesterday, a woman pulled up outside a store in her little pickup truck as I was walking out into the rain. I noticed that she had a full-sized topper on her short-bed truck, so it was overhanging the tailgate by almost a foot. I told her it would be best not to park there; she replied she was only going to pick up a load right inside the door. I said that wasn't what I meant -- I told her I was afraid her truck would shrink some more and the topper might fall off -- It's nice to see people laugh! :)
Pete and Rats
QUOTE
Orginally posted by Pete Dumbleton
One country but at least four words in primary language for the same thing:
Okie Box
Cap
Topper
Canopy
Pete and Rats
PS Yesterday, a woman pulled up outside a store in her little pickup truck as I was walking out into the rain. I noticed that she had a full-sized topper on her short-bed truck, so it was overhanging the tailgate by almost a foot. I told her it would be best not to park there; she replied she was only going to pick up a load right inside the door. I said that wasn't what I meant -- I told her I was afraid her truck would shrink some more and the topper might fall off -- It's nice to see people laugh! :)
Pete and Rats
One country but at least four words in primary language for the same thing:
Okie Box
Cap
Topper
Canopy
Pete and Rats
PS Yesterday, a woman pulled up outside a store in her little pickup truck as I was walking out into the rain. I noticed that she had a full-sized topper on her short-bed truck, so it was overhanging the tailgate by almost a foot. I told her it would be best not to park there; she replied she was only going to pick up a load right inside the door. I said that wasn't what I meant -- I told her I was afraid her truck would shrink some more and the topper might fall off -- It's nice to see people laugh! :)
Pete and Rats
You forgot "camper shell."
Good one, Pete, did the rat ladies put you up to that? ;)
quote: ... Better yet would be a couple of LEDs attached to a little case containing a couple or 4 AA batteries (because they are cheaper).
I purchased a small folding LED light at Wal Mart that uses 4AA batteries and can be switched between 1 or 2 lights. It measures 3 1/2 x 2 1/2 x 1 1/4. It provides adequate light to get around in the Casita but certainly wouldn’t provide lighting for reading. It is made for Energizer (in China of course) and is call Energizer Folding LED Lantern. Cost is about $8.50 or so.
I purchased a small folding LED light at Wal Mart that uses 4AA batteries and can be switched between 1 or 2 lights. It measures 3 1/2 x 2 1/2 x 1 1/4. It provides adequate light to get around in the Casita but certainly wouldn’t provide lighting for reading. It is made for Energizer (in China of course) and is call Energizer Folding LED Lantern. Cost is about $8.50 or so.
Thanks for the tip Alan! I'm headed into town tomorrow and will check out my local Walmart.
Morgan, I still want you to make me something!
Morgan, I still want you to make me something!
QUOTE
Orginally posted by Charles Watts
Morgan, I still want you to make me something!
Morgan, I still want you to make me something!
I can make you a raving maniac, it only took a few years for my wife.
:o
******
Morgan, I still want you to make me something!
******
Charles, Morgan is good, but he's not *that* good! Besides, I think that comes under Pam's area of responsibility now that your parents have apparently failed ;)
Pete and Rats
Morgan, I still want you to make me something!
******
Charles, Morgan is good, but he's not *that* good! Besides, I think that comes under Pam's area of responsibility now that your parents have apparently failed ;)
Pete and Rats
>>make me something
Yeah, Pete, make me, like, travel fulltime ...
Or make me tall, intelligent and handsome ...
Maybe make me a new trailer!
Ok, ok, poor choice of words. I would appreciate it if Morgan could fuse a couple LEDs on the end of a wire, onto which I can attach a couple of batteries ....
Naw, Pete, you're right.
Morgan, I want you to make me irresistible ... forget the LED stuff!
Yeah, Pete, make me, like, travel fulltime ...
Or make me tall, intelligent and handsome ...
Maybe make me a new trailer!
Ok, ok, poor choice of words. I would appreciate it if Morgan could fuse a couple LEDs on the end of a wire, onto which I can attach a couple of batteries ....
Naw, Pete, you're right.
Morgan, I want you to make me irresistible ... forget the LED stuff!
QUOTE
Orginally posted by Pete Dumbleton
******
Morgan, I still want you to make me something!
******
Charles, Morgan is good, but he's not *that* good! Besides, I think that comes under Pam's area of responsibility now that your parents have apparently failed ;)
Pete and Rats
******
Morgan, I still want you to make me something!
******
Charles, Morgan is good, but he's not *that* good! Besides, I think that comes under Pam's area of responsibility now that your parents have apparently failed ;)
Pete and Rats
Pete,
I think it's an engineering problem and Pam's a teacher. However, an engineer can't start a design without a Requirements Specification. Requirements Specifications are done by committees. Will you head the requirements committee and define just what is needed to "make [Charles] something?" Try to have a first draft on my desk by the end of May. :chased
Did you see this?
QUOTE
Orginally posted by Charles Watts
Morgan, I want you to make me irresistible ... forget the LED stuff!
Morgan, I want you to make me irresistible ... forget the LED stuff!
Charles,
You're already irresistable. You need a publicist to let the world know. ;)
Maybe we need a poll; who finds Charles irresistable, resistable, irreverent, irrelevant or just lots of fun.
:wave
I would have to check every one of the durned options, and the poll doesn't permit this!
I should have looked at the header before I responded. (Above)
This thread is about the great fluorescent lights that Morgan has installed in his TT and that the rest of us envy and plan to install.
Back to being ''topical.'' I know, I'm one of the worst offenders, but will try not to do that again. (I still think the guy's ok though.)
Topical! Topical! Topical! (We never have problems with ''tasteful,'' but we do with ''topical,'' huh?)
This thread is about the great fluorescent lights that Morgan has installed in his TT and that the rest of us envy and plan to install.
Back to being ''topical.'' I know, I'm one of the worst offenders, but will try not to do that again. (I still think the guy's ok though.)
Topical! Topical! Topical! (We never have problems with ''tasteful,'' but we do with ''topical,'' huh?)
QUOTE
Orginally posted by George Cathcart
Topical! Topical! Topical! (We never have problems with ''tasteful,'' but we do with ''topical,'' huh?)
Topical! Topical! Topical! (We never have problems with ''tasteful,'' but we do with ''topical,'' huh?)
You are right, George, mea culpa. :wak
We do tend to diverge. :chatter
If you do install flourescent lights like mine, I recommend the same brand and model as I bought. They have a magic ballast that saves tubes and makes them last and last and ... :cblob it says here.
QUOTE
Orginally posted by Morgan Bulger
The next thing I'll try is to remove one tube from each fixture. If it will run like that, it should use maybe 9 or 10 watts. I'll let you know if it works and if it produces sufficient light.
:sunny
The next thing I'll try is to remove one tube from each fixture. If it will run like that, it should use maybe 9 or 10 watts. I'll let you know if it works and if it produces sufficient light.
:sunny
Well, I tried removing one tube. The light wouldn't light, so I guess I have to live with it as is. Too much light is better than not enough. :o
Just turn on one lamp, not two.
It's a math thing. two lamps with two bulbs = 4
4/2 = 2 bulbs
one lamps = 2 blulbs
see that's the same answer. :)
If you need any more help Morgan, just give me a call.
It's a math thing. two lamps with two bulbs = 4
4/2 = 2 bulbs
one lamps = 2 blulbs
see that's the same answer. :)
If you need any more help Morgan, just give me a call.
QUOTE
Orginally posted by Thomas and Janifer
Just turn on one lamp, not two.
It's a math thing. two lamps with two bulbs = 4
4/2 = 2 bulbs
one lamps = 2 blulbs
see that's the same answer. :)
If you need any more help Morgan, just give me a call.
Just turn on one lamp, not two.
It's a math thing. two lamps with two bulbs = 4
4/2 = 2 bulbs
one lamps = 2 blulbs
see that's the same answer. :)
If you need any more help Morgan, just give me a call.
Boy ,JJ, that's why we pay you the big bucks; you cut to the heart of the problem. :jump
I was looking for an engineering solution and it was an operator problem. :bh
Morgan, in a former life, I spent too much time on committees and in meetings, so it is a rule in this current life to avoid both <grinz>. If Charles wants you to make him something, I think it is his responsibility to define "something"!
Seems like West Marine carries a one-tube, 8W 12VDC fixture for not many bucks.
Pete and Rats
Seems like West Marine carries a one-tube, 8W 12VDC fixture for not many bucks.
Pete and Rats
QUOTE
Orginally posted by Pete Dumbleton
Morgan, in a former life, I spent too much time on committees and in meetings, so it is a rule in this current life to avoid both <grinz>. If Charles wants you to make him something, I think it is his responsibility to define "something"!
Seems like West Marine carries a one-tube, 8W 12VDC fixture for not many bucks.
Pete and Rats
Morgan, in a former life, I spent too much time on committees and in meetings, so it is a rule in this current life to avoid both <grinz>. If Charles wants you to make him something, I think it is his responsibility to define "something"!
Seems like West Marine carries a one-tube, 8W 12VDC fixture for not many bucks.
Pete and Rats
I can relate. That's why I quit Honeywell in 1979. I had to go in at night to get my work done so I could spend the day in meetings trying to determine why we were behind schedule. :bh
Charles already said he want to be tall, but it seems he's already 7'10" in bare feet. :inbox
We took the Lazy M camping for three days starting on Boxing Day.
The 3M VHB tape I used to mount the flourescent lights worked flawlessly as did the lights.
We didn't go very far, but we were off-roading some.
The 3M VHB tape I used to mount the flourescent lights worked flawlessly as did the lights.
We didn't go very far, but we were off-roading some.
Morgan
I just installed the flouresent lite I talked to you about. It sure makes a difference. I am going to buy 2 more.;)
I just installed the flouresent lite I talked to you about. It sure makes a difference. I am going to buy 2 more.;)
QUOTE
Orginally posted by Chester Taje
Morgan
I just installed the flouresent lite I talked to you about. It sure makes a difference. I am going to buy 2 more.;)
Morgan
I just installed the flouresent lite I talked to you about. It sure makes a difference. I am going to buy 2 more.;)
I'm glad it worked out, Ches. Now you have enough light to play chess in your Bolero. ;)
Morgan
To be honest the lites are for my wife so she can read properly.As for Chess, I haven't a clue how to play that.Maybe something to learn when I retire.:wave
To be honest the lites are for my wife so she can read properly.As for Chess, I haven't a clue how to play that.Maybe something to learn when I retire.:wave
One of the first things we did on our Trillium was to replace the original white light covers with clear covers. Makes an incredible difference and cost well under $10 for all four lights. Its as bright as daylight in there now.
Nancy
Nancy
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