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Afubar · 06-25-2013, 02:09 PM

Okay, I did a search and didn't find an answer. I just had the florescent light bulbs (Thin-Light) in the bedroom go out. (took tubes from bathroom and it worked, so know it's the tubes).

Here's the dumb question. Can I use normal florescent bulbs of like wattage or do they take something I can only find at an RV dealer?

Thanks, just an old dumb broad.

Kaye

adonh · 06-25-2013, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Afubar

Okay, I did a search and didn't find an answer. I just had the florescent light bulbs (Thin-Light) in the bedroom go out. (took tubes from bathroom and it worked, so know it's the tubes).

Here's the dumb question. Can I use normal florescent bulbs of like wattage or do they take something I can only find at an RV dealer?

Thanks, just an old dumb broad.

Kaye

They are 12V not 110V so make sure you get the correct volts

dajudge · 06-25-2013, 02:19 PM

You can use like tubes from Lowe's or Home depot. Even though the fixtures are supplied by 12 volts, they convert voltage to 110 for tubes to work If you can find them at one of the above stores, I bet you will pay less than an RV store.

Afubar · 06-25-2013, 02:22 PM

Thank you. I knew someone here would have the answer.

Kaye

wa8yxm · 06-25-2013, 03:52 PM

Guess what. The folks above have it wrong. The florcesent tubes are.. Florcesent tubes, the "Ballast" (in quotes because it is only a ballast on 120 volt bulbs) is, in the case of a 12 volt lamp, an inverter/ballast combination.

The lamps you find in Wall-mart, K-Mart, Joe's Electrical Lights Store.. True Value Hardware..

If they are the same number and wattage.. Will work

Take an old lamp with you when you shop to match them up.

And here's more news.. Some of the lamps you find in assorted stores are brighter and in my opinion better.. I should know, I'm sitting under 2 of 'em as I type this. Way better than the OEM lamps across the hall.

Two notes:

1: This "It does not matter" ONLY applies to florescent lamps It does not apply to other types

2: It appears the question was not all that stupid, Two folks gave wrong answers. Clearly it needed to be asked.

"007" · 06-25-2013, 04:15 PM

Get COOL White's at Home Depot or you can get LED florescent like these.
The 12v's gets converted to 110 in the florescent fixture.
More conversions in QT's # 3.

wa8yxm · 06-26-2013, 06:33 AM

You got to know that the voltage on the florcesent tubes is anything other than 110/120 volts.. In fact I have no idea what it is but the purpose of the "Ballast" is to convert to the proper voltage and to control the current through the lamp.

So as I said above, The lamps are the same no matter the supply voltage.. The Fixture is different, I got my replacements at either Home Depot, Lowes or Wal-mart depending on which pair we are talking about.

Afubar · 06-26-2013, 12:13 PM

Thanks everyone, took an old tube to Wally World and bought two tubes, installed them in bathroom, they work fine.

I truely appreciate all the info, you guys are the best!

Kaye

wa8yxm · 06-26-2013, 04:00 PM

When you post a question here, There are hundreds of people who can see it, many have years of expierence, this translates to thousands of years of RV expierence.

True, some folks learn wrong, but, in many cases there are people who have "Been There, Done That" as they say, in this thread, that's me (Among others).

The bottom line is... You do well to ask a question here. And by the way, You are welcome.

Not everyone comes back to say "Thanks" It's good of you to do so.