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gonfercoffee · 12-04-2013, 08:51 AM

After one of the many Sun Ray fluorescent lights inside my 2007 Excel quit I started looking on this site and others for an alternative. A few days later Rockin' Tom gave me the bad news that Sunbeam Products had flat lined so i started messin' out in the garage.

Picked up a similar fluro fixture at CW with a smaller footprint and gutted it. Swapped the guts into my Sunbeam and alas.... no light.

Tried several auto parts store LEDs with poor results. Not bright enough.

Last week I found some LED strips that work just fine. Two strips is about equal to the Sunbeam fluro two-tube. Three are brighter yet. If you are a handy guy or gal, you should be able to muddle through it.

If not, I might be persuaded to doing it for you.

Gonfer'

rockintom · 12-04-2013, 09:13 PM

OK gonfer, we give.....I'm a little confused did you use the original light housing that came with your rig? And you could be a little more descriptive with the details of what part, part numbers, and where you got the pieces. Don't make me beg!!! Watch out, or I'll sic Sarge on you.....and that my friend you would REGRET!!! Now drop and give me 20!!!

rockybaby

gonfercoffee · 12-05-2013, 07:29 AM

Easy Tommer, maybe I got 20 in me, but the last 5 would be hell!!

Here's the dope:

I gutted the original fixture, so the original mounting slot and screw holes could be used. I wanted to preserve the "finished" look of the ceiling. Gutting wasn't too hard, but drilling out all the rivets without marring the fixture and the plastic end caps needs to be done carefully.

The light strip came from Superbrightleds.com

Part #RLBN-x30SMD

Cut the strips to fit at the first "parting line" closest to the end of the tin reflector with tin snips.

I wired the two lights in using two mini connector plugs so i could reposition them if necessary. Used the original switch. Secured the LEDs with two sided tape for the same reason. Riveting the end caps back on was fun.

Once installed in the ceiling, the Old Lady was amazed just how potent a light source the strips are..... I was drinking beer and cleaning up.

I'll remove and flip the reflector one of these days and see if it makes the fixture brighter.

I'm thinking about converting a few and putting a price on it?

Have fun!
Gonfer'

rockintom · 12-05-2013, 07:48 AM

Thanks Gonfer,

Looks like they cost about $10 a strip (2 per fixture. Here's a link to their website. Did you use cool white, natural white or white warm strips for yours? Thanks, rockin'

gonfercoffee · 12-05-2013, 12:57 PM

I liked the Natural White LEDs.

The fluero "yellow cast" is a little gloomy on a winter day with the shades drawn, so I thought that since converting to LEDs gave me a choice, I'd go au naturel.... hey, I did say the curtains were drawn!

Gonfer'