RogerThat
LIFE MEMBER
Hi everyone,
Thought you might be interested in my halogen-to-led modification
I was keen to keep the lighting unit original (to look at) and to also use the original switch, so it was a bit fiddly but worth the effort.
The original lighting unit:
Underneath:
A short strip of flexible LED (SMD-type) from Aten Lighting:
Close up:
Starting to remove the original tubes:
Close up:
This next step was probably the hardest, or the most fiddly for sure!
Due to the age of my motorhome (+15yrs now) the plastics are becoming quite brittle. This probably wouldn't be an issue on a newer MH, but either way, if you're attempting this, GO EASY
There's a plastic divider inside the housing which keeps the tubes in place. This was in my way as I wanted to mount the LED strip right down the middle (it would seriously affect my OCD otherwise!).
With the aid of a seriously sharp stanley knife, i carefully cut out the centre divider:
The end result, a surface flat enough for sticking the LED strip on (which comes with 3M sticky stuff on the back already):
The next step was to remove the old electrics. The new LED strip is 12v so none of the halogen gubbins is required. Be sure to leave the switch in place, this will be needed:
New LED strip stuck in place:
Solder the new LED strip in to the OEM switch:
Test it works (important!):
And with the diffuser in place:
Job done, time for a brew:
So there we have it, a relatively simple but effective modification. As I mentioned, I was keen to keep the very original look, complete with original switch. This started off as a proof-of-concept type mod, more to see if it was possible than anything else.
Naturally being as pleased as I was with the end result, I then had to go and upgrade all the other ones too
The photos of the light when lit don't do it justice, it's impossible to take a decent photo of a bulb using a mobile phone
Anyway, hope this provides some incentive or guidance to others, I'll happily answer any questions or provide help where I can
Thought you might be interested in my halogen-to-led modification
I was keen to keep the lighting unit original (to look at) and to also use the original switch, so it was a bit fiddly but worth the effort.
The original lighting unit:
Underneath:
A short strip of flexible LED (SMD-type) from Aten Lighting:
Close up:
Starting to remove the original tubes:
Close up:
This next step was probably the hardest, or the most fiddly for sure!
Due to the age of my motorhome (+15yrs now) the plastics are becoming quite brittle. This probably wouldn't be an issue on a newer MH, but either way, if you're attempting this, GO EASY
There's a plastic divider inside the housing which keeps the tubes in place. This was in my way as I wanted to mount the LED strip right down the middle (it would seriously affect my OCD otherwise!).
With the aid of a seriously sharp stanley knife, i carefully cut out the centre divider:
The end result, a surface flat enough for sticking the LED strip on (which comes with 3M sticky stuff on the back already):
The next step was to remove the old electrics. The new LED strip is 12v so none of the halogen gubbins is required. Be sure to leave the switch in place, this will be needed:
New LED strip stuck in place:
Solder the new LED strip in to the OEM switch:
Test it works (important!):
And with the diffuser in place:
Job done, time for a brew:
So there we have it, a relatively simple but effective modification. As I mentioned, I was keen to keep the very original look, complete with original switch. This started off as a proof-of-concept type mod, more to see if it was possible than anything else.
Naturally being as pleased as I was with the end result, I then had to go and upgrade all the other ones too
The photos of the light when lit don't do it justice, it's impossible to take a decent photo of a bulb using a mobile phone
Anyway, hope this provides some incentive or guidance to others, I'll happily answer any questions or provide help where I can