LED lights to cover hole!

[Brendan Stone]

I'm looking at replacing our existing reading lights with LED.

The trouble is the cut outs for the existing lamps are 'keyhole' shaped (7.5cm x 6.5cm) and most replacements are either circular with a 6.5cm diameter, so just to small to cover the hole. Or they are bigger ceiling light size.

Has anyone found a slightly larger circular lamp (ideally dimmable) something like 8-10 cm?

his one would cover the hole but its a bit big; http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/710-5...0001&campid=5338547443&icep_item=113953627835

Or a rectangular / square version?

The van is a 51 reg Compass Avantguard and the light fitting seems to be very common in vans of that era, so hopefully someone has already been done this path

T

 

[DP+JAY]

Have you thought of using a thin piece of ply or something, large enough to cover the hole , then make a make Hole in that for a lamp? The ply could be varnished or covered in something to make feature of it.
Old story, if you can't hide something make a feature of it.

 

[The Wino]

How about a piece of circular mdf around a smaller light although thinking about it it will be very difficult to cut exactly circular!!!

 

[Enword]

I'd probably fit a polished stainless or alloy cover plate then fit the lights of choice to that.

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

Why don't you just change the bulbs to led ones or the newer sms type. It's easy to do there are lots to chose from and all low power consumption

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[tonyidle]

I'd probably fit a polished stainless or alloy cover plate then fit the lights of choice to that.

That's what I'd do too if I couldn't find an modern light the same shape - or convert the existing to LED.

 

[Rob Hammond]

How about a piece of circular mdf around a smaller light although thinking about it it will be very difficult to cut exactly circular!!!

Circular hole saws come in lots of sizes ,so wouldn’t be a problem

 

[jezport]

That's what I'd do too if I couldn't find an modern light the same shape - or convert the existing to LED.

And Me I would fit a fancy brushed steel/alloy plate

 

[Brendan Stone]

Thanks for replies. I've changed to LED bulbs already but fancy the idea of dimmable.

some sort of 'base plate' had crossed my mind.

 

[Enword]

How many do you have to convert ?

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[Two on Tour]

How about something like these.

Amazon product ASIN B07W1PH4ZP
Amazon product ASIN B07KSY97XY

 

[Richard n Ann]

Thanks for replies. I've changed to LED bulbs already but fancy the idea of dimmable.

some sort of 'base plate' had crossed my mind.

Low voltage LED bulbs are usually dimmable. I made a dimmer for ours but you can buy them on ebay, even remote control ones ?

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

If you have changed all the lights to led already, have a look at the stop lights, multicoloured and dimmable. They can be stuck up behind pelmets, over cupboard tops, around heiki roof windows. Unobtrusive but functional and remote controlled no switches to wire in plus they are cheap. Bought some for a conservatory, £12 for 5metres,plus 240v plug transformer to 12 v and remote. UK suplier off e Bay.

 

[Lenny HB]

Thanks for replies. I've changed to LED bulbs already but fancy the idea of dimmable.

some sort of 'base plate' had crossed my mind.

Why not just buy a remote controlled Led dimmer they are only 3 quid.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/710-...0001&campid=5338547443&icep_item=123147925759

 

[tonyidle]

Another thought: I am familiar with the existing fitting but I can't remember the diameter of the hole containing the 'eyeball' element. If the eyeball and its plastic bearing is removed how does the exposed hole diameter compare with available LED downlight fittings? FWIW chrome LED touch dimmer units are available that fit into an approx 20mm hole and can be wired to anything. I've had mine dimming two downlighters for over a year with no issues. Cost so little as to be irrelevant.

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[Reallyretired]

I'm a fan of anodised aluminium panels, available in many shades.
Here is one covering a hole in the bedroom of my MH.

 

[Brendan Stone]

Thanks everyone. interesting to see what people have found/done.

who knew that you get get a remote controlled dimmer for £3, unfortunately I've got 4 lights and want to be able to control/dim them separately, not sure I can cope with 4 remote controls for 4 reading lights but interested in using this tech elsewhere now

but to solve the original problem (funny shaped holes) I think this will do the job; http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/710-5...0001&campid=5338547443&icep_item=282840285471

which leave me free to get the readily available 65mm wide dimmable spots that seem to be everywhere