Halogen lights burning out

[PodDweller]

my ceiling halogen lights in my galley are all burning out within months. I have a 2009 FCloud. Anyone able to give me some ideas? I have had no problems thus far with the bedroom and bathroom halogen lights...

[Al - K4GLU]

Try giving the fixture a little "love tap" or maybe slide it around a bit the next time one goes out. You'll likely find most of the bulbs are still good.

[PodDweller]

Yea, I've been doing that, and 9 times out of 10 it works. But over time, more and more lights are permanently out of commission. Presently, I have three that work, three that don't, and one that requires a love tap... Two of the ones that work are brand new. I am thinking the electrical system is maybe putting out too many volts and damaging the bulbs?

[Al - K4GLU]

Don't know. Had that problem regularly in my 20' Safari 2007 but only ended up changing two bulbs - the rest responded to treatment. Now have a 2009 23'FB Flying Cloud and the only bulb failure I've had in 9 months is one of the reading lights.

[PodDweller]

Hey! That's the same trailer I have now! Well, maybe the factory bulbs were just duds and replacing them will do the trick! Thank you sir!

[Shiny metal]

I was told that the bulbs burn hot and that the components of the bulb and fixtures expand and contract much more than that of conventional light bulbs. The expansion and contraction takes its toll on the bulbs and fixtures. It sounded like a working theory so I did not replace my standard fixtures with the upgraded halogen fixtures. I sure would like to increase my light in the galley!

[vettman]

Are you aware that you can not touch the lamps with your fingers? The oil from your skin causes premature failure. There are two kinds of bases for the halogen bi pin lamps, G-4 and 6.35. The contact pins are larger in the 6.35 base making for a better connection to the socket. Also there are different rated lamps, 2,000, 4,000, and 10,000 hour. Ushio is a very good manufacture of low voltage lamps.

[Aage]

Originally Posted by vettman

Are you aware that you can not touch the lamps with your fingers? The oil from your skin causes premature failure.

That's what was passing through my mind. Vettman has it right, 100%.

Buy a box of those latex gloves, use them while you change the bulbs, then throw them out.

They will last a normal length of time, then.

However, even when they are treated "with kid gloves" so to speak, I find they don't last as long as incandescent bulbs, and of course, nowhere near as long as flourescent ones.

But the quality of the light you get is worth it.

[PodDweller]

Well, I bought this '09 trailer slightly used, so I can't be sure that no one has opened up the fixtures and gotten their fingers all over them, but the trailer is so new, it would surprise me that anyone would have needed to open them up yet. I am going to replace some burned out bulbs with $4 Sylvania bulbs and some with $1 cheapos (both rated for 2000 hrs) and see what happens! I may try the other base --6.xx-- and see if that helps. I'll post an update in a year (or earlier if the problem persists)!!

[Dan@LED4RV]

Originally Posted by PodDweller

my ceiling halogen lights in my galley are all burning out within months. I have a 2009 FCloud. Anyone able to give me some ideas? I have had no problems thus far with the bedroom and bathroom halogen lights...

It could be a bad batch of lights. Maybe a problem with the way they were installed, like some one touched them when they were installed.

There is a pretty good replacment. They are warm white LEDs and you don't have to worry about there being a problem if you touch them.

They burn alot cooler, use 12% the power so your batteries will last longer on a single charge. Great if you like to camper where there are no hook-ups

Click here to see them in Warm White.

Click here to see the replacements for the reading lights.

The work great!

Fix

[bolerama]

Hi PodDweller,
We had similar problems that the "love tap" fixed, but we have had to replace 1 or 2 bulbs. Our trailer was a showroom model, so my guess is that the lights were burning quite a bit before we bought it. Yours might have been the same.

We too bought some cheap and expensive bulbs to test out this season. IKEA has really good prices on the bulbs. We have used their other bulbs in our house (and outside fluorescent bulbs at -40F) and we've been very satisfied with their performance. Hope your problem gets solved.

Lisa

[lynn]

The Airstream store has LED bulbs that you can use to convert your Halogen lights. call 937 596 6111 ext. 7400

[DandB^2]

I am having a similar problem on my 2007 Bambi. 3 light are out but the bulbs are fine. I tested them in working fixtures. Checked the fuses and everything is good. Tried the love tap no luck - any suggestions?

[triplenet]

This forum is great!!
I have the same problem. Tapping has worked at times. I found this thread and now know what type of bulb to ask for (now I know it's G-4 base)
Radio Shack site said they have them.
Airstream lists 10 & 20 watt bulbs.
I have some in the ceiling and some in overhead cabinets that are out.
They look the same to me.
Do I need 10 or 20 watt?
Thanks,
Bob

[rogerthat]

RV-LED.com - Your source for all things LED for your Recreational Vehicle! is another source for LEDs

[Harry W]

Don't handle them with your bare fingers. Don't ask me why, but fingerprints will cause them to burn out.

[carped8ta]

I am replacing my halogens with LED's (C9WWThin 9 Led Chip Warm White from odmrv.com) as soon as I can figure our how to open the fixture. Seems to be hermetically sealed...

[TBRich]

Originally Posted by carped8ta

I am replacing my halogens with LED's (C9WWThin 9 Led Chip Warm White from odmrv.com) as soon as I can figure our how to open the fixture. Seems to be hermetically sealed...

Of you're talking about the round puck lights in your ceiling...the inner-most ring (the one holding the lens) pops out of the fixture if you wedge a sharp knife edge or screw driver under the edge...be careful not to scratch the fixture or your ceiling...and do this when the halogen lights are off and cool...they get VERY hot when they are on. Be careful not to drop the lens when it pops out...sometimes they come loose from the ring. just remove the halogen bulb and replace it with the LED... The whole fixture is held in the hole in the aluminum by a spring set-up, but you don't need to remove the fixture to replace the bulbs... Hope this helps.

[Dan@LED4RV]

Originally Posted by carped8ta

I am replacing my halogens with LED's (C9WWThin 9 Led Chip Warm White from odmrv.com) as soon as I can figure our how to open the fixture. Seems to be hermetically sealed...

Here is a picture that shows where to pry to get the bulb out.

Also, how to get the lens back on. If you don't line it up correctly it won't go on and if you force it you will bend the little clips.

[RichHog]

If it wasn't answered above they are 10 Watt bulbs. Got some replacements at Loews.