Original ceiling lights - '78 Ambassador

[mojofilter]

Finally got the sticky gunk from ceiling and all the interior surfaces - saw much advice on the forum for the proper cleaner - simple green, 409 etc. but decided that Teenage Boy was best.
Now time to put the lighting back in. The originals are these:

They cover the original vents and accommodate the vent cranks:

In all my perusing of the forums I have not seen this fixture.
All three are cracked/brittle an warped. Also it seems that they block an unnecessarily large amount of the vent area. I do like the three way switches - it allows 2/4/6 lamps on - I am off-grid so I can use the ugly LEDs in the 2 bulb positions for low current, then the old school incandescents for lots o light when I got the power.
So what are people doing about replacements?
The covers (not shown) are obviously replacements as they look new.
Thanks,

- Tim

[Riverrat6270]

Did you rebuild the original lights? I have the same lights in my '80 Excella. Haven't worried about the lights not working as have extra lights, but going to have to rebuild sometime soon. Let me know what you find out as it will save me hunting down this thread

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Riverrat6270

Did you rebuild the original lights? I have the same lights in my '80 Excella. Haven't worried about the lights not working as have extra lights, but going to have to rebuild sometime soon. Let me know what you find out as it will save me hunting down this thread

Most any 12 volt light socket that has one terminal can be used.

The correct switches are still available.

Andy

[mojofilter]

My problem is that the plastic bases have deteriorated to the point that they will be unusable. I guess I could fabricate a new base out of sheet aluminum and transfer the six single-wire sockets and switch (all of which still work) to the base, but if there was already something out there that would work, it would be better.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by mojofilter

My problem is that the plastic bases have deteriorated to the point that they will be unusable. I guess I could fabricate a new base out of sheet aluminum and transfer the six single-wire sockets and switch (all of which still work) to the base, but if there was already something out there that would work, it would be better.

I was not aware that some of those bases were plastic.

Yes, you can fab them with thin aluminum, or even galvanized if you wish.

Transfering the sockets etc, then becomes a piece of cake.

Airstream did have some, but their price was several steps above ridiculus.

Andy

[blickcd]

When I replaced my living room vent with a Fantastic vent and my bedroom vent with a standard roof vent, solid aluminum lid topped with a MaxxAir fan, I didn't want to lose light fixtures in those areas.

What I did was install a rather generic light fixture next to each vent. See the attached photo. The original circuit powers both fan and light. Really old school fixtures but they match an original one in the hallway. Also, with only one bulb on they are super bright so I'd consider them boondocking friendly.

On a side note, the original lid on my living room vent had a cutout in the center that was covered with a yellowed piece of plastic and may have worked as a skylight at one time, though there was a fan in that vent which blocked most light. I rebuilt that lid with clear lexan panels, it is actually double pane, and installed that on my one remaining original vent/light combo that is in the galley. It doesn't let in a whole lot of light, but is a noticable improvement. It might be a good modification to consider. Sorry but I couldn't find a photo of that modified lid.

Christopher

[mojofilter]

Thanks - that looks like a nice job.
My forward vent/fan also had the yellowed plastic 'skylite', but as you say, the fan blocked most of the light. I replaced it with aluminum panel.