Community Forums

liviero05 · 05-04-2022, 12:38 PM

Hello Everyone,

Newbie pop-up camper owner here.

Interior Ceiling Lights keep blowing on my 2007 Starcraft 1701 pop-up camper that I just purchased.

Lights were blown when I bought it from the previous owner, so I bought new light 921 bulb with 12.8v which was the model in the camper.

The new light works for around 10 mins and it blows after that. i tired on both the ceiling lights that I have and both blew in the same way.

The previous owner had a stereo system installed with 2 speaker inside the camper and I was able to figure out the fuse for both the stereo and the ceiling lights are the same and even though the stereo receiver is not working I know the speaker are working because I can hear the static from both the speakers. So I know the fuse is not blown.

Any help will be really appreciated.

Thanks in Advance
Liviero

HR2004 · 05-04-2022, 12:58 PM

I would try a different bulb, Like a 194.. less wattage.. The 921 could be getting too hot and burning out.. Had the same problem when I went to a brighter bulb in our motorhome.. It lasted a couple days and poof.. went back to original wattage. the other alternative is a LED 921.. I would check the actual voltage at the fixture also..

liviero05 · 05-04-2022, 01:10 PM

Thank you so much for the reply.

Yes, I have already ordered 921 LEDs hopefully that works, If not will try 194.

I'll keep this thread posted.

Thanks Again

liviero05 · 05-04-2022, 05:48 PM

So Trying LED light was a bust. Those are blowing out as well.

When I checked the writings on the light fixture it tells me only to use 12V 921 lights.

Any suggestions would be really appreciated.

Thanks

Skip426 · 05-04-2022, 06:03 PM

Bulbs burn out for a reason ; too high a voltage is the most probable cause.

Are you on battery power or converter ( shore power ) when the problem occurs ?

Do you have a voltmeter ?

twinboat · 05-04-2022, 06:51 PM

How many batteries do you have ?

If more then one, it may be wired wrong.

HarryStone · 05-04-2022, 06:57 PM

Yep. Check the voltage at the bulb socket.

liviero05 · 05-04-2022, 07:53 PM

I’m on shore power . It is currently in my garage connected to a 15 amp. So I assume it’s using the converter inside the pop up.

Interesting thing is I cannot get any reading on the volt meter on the bulb socket.

So when I plug in the LED light it’s starts bright and after a few seconds it starts to fume and then it dims out or completely blows.

I tried it on the exterior light as well with exact same behaviour.

I’m wondering if it has something to do with the extra stereo system the previous owner added.( just an assumption).

Skip426 · 05-04-2022, 08:48 PM

What's the voltage at the battery ?

liviero05 · 05-04-2022, 08:50 PM

I don’t have a battery connected currently.

Skip426 · 05-04-2022, 09:14 PM

A lot of converters NEED a battery in place to regulate voltage out put .

If you put your meter on the cables I'll bet you'll see in excess of 15 volts , that's enough to blow bulbs .

liviero05 · 05-04-2022, 09:55 PM

So you are saying apart from being connected to the 15 amp from my garage. I also need to have a batter connected to the camper at all times?

Skip426 · 05-04-2022, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by liviero05

So you are saying apart from being connected to the 15 amp from my garage. I also need to have a batter connected to the camper at all times?

Apparently your system needs the battery as a buffer to help regulate converter voltage output .
It's all about converter quality , running for a period of time without a battery may have damaged the converter circuitry and it might not perform properly even with a good battery .
Unplug the RV , get a battery hooked up then plug back in .
In the first 10 mins voltage should be 14.2 volts or less .
Within two hours volts should be 13.5 volts or less .
Within 12 hours volts should be 12.9 to 13.1 a maintenance charge.

If the converter doesn't show these voltages then replacement is required.

liviero05 · 05-04-2022, 10:22 PM

Thank you so much for your recommendations skip426.

I’m electrical challenged, I don’t understand it much, so I’m going ask some fundamental questions here.

1. How/where do I check the voltage on the converter?

2. Since I need to get a battery what type/size of battery would you recommend?

Thanks in Advance