ceiling light rocker switch failure

[stormy2000]

we have a 2013 keystone sprinter TT, and 3 of our ceiling light fixtures rocker switches have failed.

We have the egg-shaped fixture with a plastic lens on each end with a 2-way rocker switch in the middle.

1 of the 3 switches will not go into the on position, and the other 2 switches are very loose now and goes to the on/off position too easiler without anything happening.

I took off the lens on both sides of the fixture but the rocker switch is inside its own contained compartment.

has anyone had this type of problem? and if so, what did you do to correct it?

thanks for help.


bill & jodi

[hankpage]

I have had the same type lights in all my trailers for years and never had a problem. (after saying this I'm sure I will now) I don't want to offend anyone but ... Do you have any short people with broomsticks that camp with you??? Or maybe the new ones are not as good as the old. (I keep telling the DW that) JM2¢, Hank

[f6bits]

If mine did that, I'll pull them all down and try to replace the switches, or jumper them all to bypass the switch. My ceiling lights are all on one main switch.

However, yours should still be under warranty. Ask the dealer (hopefully they're local).

[Mike Fender]

I have a 2012 Avalanche with the same 12 volt light fixtures. Same rocker switch stopped fuctioning properly had to put on an oven mitt and remove the bulbs. Following day removed the fixture and found that the switch had gotten so hot that the it started to burn melting the plastic around the wire connections. Took photos of it and sent them via email to the dealer.

[SteveC7010]

I have a 2012 Avalanche with the same 12 volt light fixtures. Same rocker switch stopped fuctioning properly had to put on an oven mitt and remove the bulbs. Following day removed the fixture and found that the switch had gotten so hot that the it started to burn melting the plastic around the wire connections. Took photos of it and sent them via email to the dealer.

Wow! That kind of burning indicates excessive current through the switch. I notice that the ends of the bulb sockets are burned, too. All this makes me wonder which bulb is actually supposed to be in those fixtures. They all seem to have the 921 which 18 watts each and 21 candlepower. There are several other bulbs that look the same but have varying wattage and CP ratings the lowest is 4 CP and there are 10, 12, and 15 CP versions as well. All draw less wattage than the 921.

Can anybody look inside one of these fixtures and see what max wattage they recommend? It should be stamped into the metal plate behind the bulb.

[B&T]

No wattage listed on mine -- Marked; Use 921 bulb only

[SteveC7010]

No wattage listed on mine -- Marked; Use 921 bulb only

Interesting. Obviously, the 921 is too hot for the sockets and the switch. That is not good.

When we bought the '99 Sunline new, it had different fixtures but also used the 921 bulb. I never had a problem with the sockets and the switches never even got warm. Obviously, some components of our RV's have not improved since then. If anything, this is a reversal of capability.

While battery conservation was my primary reason for converting to all LED in the trailer, a huge side benefit is the reduced current draw. Every thing runs much, much cooler.

[Trigger12]

I had a switch above the vanity get loose and quit working. I pulled the burned switch as pictured above and replaced with a similar one. I then replaced all 921 bulbs with 912 bulbs. Hopefully the less volts and amps the new bulbs draw, the less burned switches I'll have.

[Mike Fender]

After contacting the dealer I was told a replacement unit was on order. Since I'm about 3000 miles from California I opted to purchase a similar light fixture and replaced the 921 bulbs with LED lights in the unit. Now I have LOTS a light without the heat. Planning on replacing the 921's with LEDS once I find a source of the LEDS at a reasonable cost.

[chartrand]

After contacting the dealer I was told a replacement unit was on order. Since I'm about 3000 miles from California I opted to purchase a similar light fixture and replaced the 921 bulbs with LED lights in the unit. Now I have LOTS a light without the heat. Planning on replacing the 921's with LEDS once I find a source of the LEDS at a reasonable cost.

$9.75 when I search ebay...

[SteveC7010]

$9.75 when I search ebay...

There are several extensive threads about LED conversions here. Most folks are paying less than $5.00 per for replacements for the 921's. Remember, in most applications, you don't need an LED that is shaped like a bulb although they will work fine and if you can find a bargain, great. But no need to pay double what you should be spending. The square ones that have an array of chips on them work just as well if not better because all the chips are pointed in the same direction giving the most possible light output where needed.

Your target to replace a 921 is about 260 lumens. The 5050 SMD LED chip is about 15 lumens so anything with 18 5050's or more is going to be equally bright. Here's one that has a few more chips on it, but is just great when installed. My trailer is done throughout with this particular item. I bought them in batches of 10 from the same supplier over a year ago for about the same unit price as this one. This seller has been very good for a lot of us, but he doesn't have any auctions for 10 units up at this moment. That usually changes within a week or so.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1pcs-921-BA9S-Festoon-Dome-Bulb-24-5050-SMD-LED-Light-board-Warm-White-/180777081762

Some folks are reluctant to order from a supplier in China. My response is that if you buy from a US based supplier, it is probably the Chinese guy's brother in California. The source is all the same. The seller in China has been very, very good for many of us and I pass his info on to you with some degree of confidence.

[JRTJH]

I echo Steve's comments, I've bought a number of items from this particular EBay vendor and have been completely satisfied with all the purchases. Additionally, if you buy from EBay and use PayPal to pay for the transaction, you've got a "double" company to go to bat for you if something should happen. So, with a reliable vendor and using PayPal, the reliability of the transaction is about as good as it gets.

Now, there are other vendors on EBay that are just as good and some that are "not quite up to par". I can't speak for all of them, but this particular vendor has been reliable for more than just a few of our members. I'd highly recommend him as a source of LED lights.

[Jables]

I also bought from that supplier. My whole trailer is now led other than running & tail lights. Cost about 100$