12V fluorescent lights in ceiling

[rockintom]

Sunray model 930. Anyone having these crap out? I'm on my third one and they all have the same failure. The circuit board has the same 2 capacitors (I think) fail. They are burned and scorched and the circuit board burned in that area. At about $50.00 a piece for this light, this is getting expensive. Anyone else seeing this? Misery loves company! Anyone finding them somewhere cheaper? Tom

[rockintom]

Sunray model 930. Anyone having these crap out? I'm on my third one and they all have the same failure. The circuit board has the same 2 capacitors (I think) fail. They are burned and scorched and the circuit board burned in that area. At about $50.00 a piece for this light, this is getting expensive. Anyone else seeing this? Misery loves company! Anyone finding them somewhere cheaper? Tom

[Bob Wilson]

Hi Tom,

I've replaced four, and just had another (fifth) fail.

Bob

[rockintom]

Bob,

Thanks for the info....Where do you purchase yours? Wonder if the new ones are any better?

[Bob Wilson]

Hi Tom,

I've always ordered them from the service center ... not very adventurous.

We place a sticker on the new ones with the installation date, and so far we've had one of the replaced lights fail. Can't really draw any conclusions from such a small sample.

Bob

[D and J]

I have never opened one of the lights, but I had a problem with my 12V plug in the bedroom TV closet (mis-wired)

Your light fixture could be mis-wired (+12/-12 reversed) the light would still work, but could cause a problem on the circuit board.

While my "cigarette plug" was mis-wired, 12 volt fan would work fine, but when I plugged in more sensitive equipment, fuses would blow.

I'm not saying this is your problem guys, just a thought about what I experinced. Somethings don't care about polarity (when ground is floating) some things do!!

[rockintom]

Good news! I called the manufacturer of these lights, Sunbeam Trailer Products, Inc. in Hunting Beach, CA at 714 373-5000 (PST) and talked with Lynn. They sell the ballast kit to fix these units for $22.00 a piece and $7.00 shipping (up to 2 ballast). No credit cards. You have to send check or M.O. to a special address. Part # is RB 30 for the model 930. The kit comes with instructions, and all pieces to do the job. The heat sink is already mounted to the ballast. Basically, you can do fix 2 for the price of one complete unit.

Also, I feel like a dummy, but she also said to rotate the fluorescent tubes every 6 months to prolong tube life by 30%. Rotating meaning switching from side to side and end to end. Am I the only one to NOT know that???? Tubes are fairly expensive. $4-5. This is nice to know. FYI.

You can call the company call for more details. FYI Tom

[Bob Wilson]

Excellent info Doug and Tom.

Thanks!

Bob

[LindaH]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by rockintom:
Also, I feel like a dummy, but she also said to rotate the fluorescent tubes over 6 months to prolong tube life by 30%. Rotating meaning switching from side to side and end to end. Am I the only one to NOT know that???? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

No, you're not the only one who didn't know that. We only have one fluorescent light in our rig...over the kitchen sink. Although we've never rotated the fluorescent tubes in any of our other RVs and have never had a failure in all the time we owned them. Personally, I'm not sure we'll bother with the rotation...YMMV.

[Bruce and Jenna]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by LindaH:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by rockintom:
Also, I feel like a dummy, but she also said to rotate the fluorescent tubes over 6 months to prolong tube life by 30%. Rotating meaning switching from side to side and end to end. Am I the only one to NOT know that???? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

No, you're not the only one who didn't know that. We only have one fluorescent light in our rig...over the kitchen sink. Although we've never rotated the fluorescent tubes in any of our other RVs and have never had a failure in all the time we owned them. Personally, I'm not sure we'll bother with the rotation...YMMV. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I agree. I'll just sit on the other side of the light when use it.

[maverik/gypsy]

In my recent posting about overhead lights, I also reported that the EXCEL Owner's manual recommends to rotate the lights to insure the extension of the life of the bulb "Overhead FANS AND RECTANGULAR LIGHTS" Oct 16, 2007. Maybe there is some value in the switch. Maverik

[rockintom]

Just finished installing my new fluorescent overhead light ballast. I'm sending you a pic of the nature of failure which is obvious. Also check out the difference of the new and old ballast. The new has a metal heat sink verses the old which has a thin piece of cardboard-like material.

When installing the new ballast, care should be taken when removing the wires from the tube recepticles. The electrical latching tabs for the wires in the recepticles are very weak and fragile! FYI. If anyone wants more pix and more explaination, just email me.

P.S. I know, if I could spell, I'd be dangerous!!!!

[D and J]

Tom, Nice pics, but those are toasted diodes, not capacitors.

[rockintom]

Thanks Doug,

It's been too long. I've forgot how to read my bands and info on the sides of the diodes, resistors, and capacitors! Thanks for straightening me out!

Did you get the deer damage fixed up? Sure see lots of those little things on the side of these TX roads. Sorry we missed you in Boerne! Maybe see you soon. Tom