The Albatross

[wasagachris]

Hi Sandy the shore power cord has bare wires on one end to hard wire it right into your panel box.
RV Power Cords from PPL for Sale - PPL Motor Homes

A 30 amp extension cord has one end male and one end female.
30 amp Extension Cords from PPL for Sale - PPL Motor Homes

[ND10CentCan]

Originally Posted by wasagachris

Hi Sandy the shore power cord has bare wires on one end to hard wire it right into your panel box.
RV Power Cords from PPL for Sale - PPL Motor Homes

A 30 amp extension cord has one end male and one end female.
30 amp Extension Cords from PPL for Sale - PPL Motor Homes

Thanks Chris,
I couldn't figure out why they weren't the same. Now I know. Do you have a sun tan now?
Sandy

[ND10CentCan]

I need some help getting a source or ideas on how to replace all the ceiling lights in the Albatross with something that doesn't look like cheap plastic from the 1970's. Which were great years, I'm just saying. The old stuff is pretty bad and in rough shape so I don't want to use that as is. I am wondering if there is an aluminum/stainless steel option that someone has used as a replacement. I used to do stained glass but I don't think that is practical or safe in this instance. I welcome ideas and possible solutions that are out there.
Sandy

[worldinchaos]

Originally Posted by ND10CentCan

I need some help getting a source or ideas on how to replace all the ceiling lights in the Albatross with something that doesn't look like cheap plastic from the 1970's. Which were great years, I'm just saying. The old stuff is pretty bad and in rough shape so I don't want to use that as is. I am wondering if there is an aluminum/stainless steel option that someone has used as a replacement. I used to do stained glass but I don't think that is practical or safe in this instance. I welcome ideas and possible solutions that are out there.
Sandy

I'm happy to share one of my many bookmarks to lights that I've saved, but I'm not familiar with the type that you had? Are they puck style? Spotlights? Overhead flat lights? fluorescent?

To be honest, if you secured it well, stained glass might actually look realllly cool. You obviously couldn't do a hanging lamp from the ceiling, but maybe some sort of flat panel design that secures with some aluminum L-channel over a more normal light fixture (or over the existing ones), leaving a 1" gap around the top to allow the light to direct outwards along the inside wall curves, as well as down through the stained glass. Since I don't think you plan to be inside the trailer while it is moving, it probably isn't much more unsafe to have glass in the Airstream compared to glass at home.

[Landshark]

Originally Posted by worldinchaos

I'm happy to share one of my many bookmarks to lights that I've saved, but I'm not familiar with the type that you had? Are they puck style? Spotlights? Overhead flat lights? fluorescent?

To be honest, if you secured it well, stained glass might actually look realllly cool. You obviously couldn't do a hanging lamp from the ceiling, but maybe some sort of flat panel design that secures with some aluminum L-channel over a more normal light fixture (or over the existing ones), leaving a 1" gap around the top to allow the light to direct outwards along the inside wall curves, as well as down through the stained glass. Since I don't think you plan to be inside the trailer while it is moving, it probably isn't much more unsafe to have glass in the Airstream compared to glass at home.

Depending on how complex your design is, or maybe anyway, you would probably want a piece of plastic the size of your stained glass panel mounted against it underneath to support the lead joints, don't you think? I haven't done it for a long time, but seems like a horizontal mount like that would need support, especially going down the vibrating, bouncing road. But what a completely cool idea! Gotta re-think my resto plans...

Vivian

[ND10CentCan]

Originally Posted by worldinchaos

I'm happy to share one of my many bookmarks to lights that I've saved, but I'm not familiar with the type that you had? Are they puck style? Spotlights? Overhead flat lights? fluorescent?

To be honest, if you secured it well, stained glass might actually look realllly cool. You obviously couldn't do a hanging lamp from the ceiling, but maybe some sort of flat panel design that secures with some aluminum L-channel over a more normal light fixture (or over the existing ones), leaving a 1" gap around the top to allow the light to direct outwards along the inside wall curves, as well as down through the stained glass. Since I don't think you plan to be inside the trailer while it is moving, it probably isn't much more unsafe to have glass in the Airstream compared to glass at home.

Peter,
I would really like to see what you have found in your research. We have flat plastic incandescent lights that are mounted up flat on the ceiling. They are really in tough shape and I think just about anything would look better but I would really like something that isn't plastic. I am afraid to do anything glass in case it would get rattled loose and fall sometime. Plus it would put my life in danger when my husband makes me ride in there during trips
Sandy

[ND10CentCan]

Originally Posted by Landshark

Depending on how complex your design is, or maybe anyway, you would probably want a piece of plastic the size of your stained glass panel mounted against it underneath to support the lead joints, don't you think? I haven't done it for a long time, but seems like a horizontal mount like that would need support, especially going down the vibrating, bouncing road. But what a completely cool idea! Gotta re-think my resto plans...
Vivian

I thought kind of the same idea but then quickly decided it would be too dangerous. Even if it stayed together during the hauling back and forth, it would be really dangerous if if fell at any time. I hate to even think about how dangerous that would be

So then I went to some sort of custom made aluminum piece but didn't have a clue on how I would do it. That is when I decided I would turn where I get my best ideas...from people on the Forums! I was curious what kind of lightweight material that could transmit light that wouldn't melt. I can think of a number of possible ideas if I could figure out which materials I could use and where to find these materials.

I just finished doing all my switch plates for the Albatross and wanted to do something custom for the lights as well. If you come up with some ideas, I would love to hear them.
Sandy

[Splitrock]

I had to read this line twice . . .

Originally Posted by Landshark

I haven't done it for a long time, but seems like a horizontal mount like that would need support, especially going down the vibrating, bouncing road.

[4RXLA]

Sandy, by your description it sounds like you have ceiling light fixtures that have 6 1141 bulbs with a rectangular white plastic cover that has 2 small holes in it. One hole for the round light switch knob and the other for a securing nut or vent crank handle. Those plastic covers do yellow with age and new replacements are available. That would be the easiest and cheapest solution. If you wanted to go with recessed puck lights like the modern Airstreams have, I believe you could remove the center ceiling panel and rewire for the pucks.

The 1141 incandescent bulbs use alot of battery and make alot of heat. LED replacements reduce heat buildup inside the trailer in hot weather and battery drain when off the grid.

[ND10CentCan]

Originally Posted by ND10CentCan

Peter,
I would really like to see what you have found in your research. We have flat plastic incandescent lights that are mounted up flat on the ceiling. They are really in tough shape and I think just about anything would look better but I would really like something that isn't plastic. I am afraid to do anything glass in case it would get rattled loose and fall sometime. Plus it would put my life in danger when my husband makes me ride in there during trips
Sandy

As they say, a picture is worth....

[ND10CentCan]

Originally Posted by dougsale

Sandy, by your description it sounds like you have ceiling light fixtures that have 6 1141 bulbs with a rectangular white plastic cover that has 2 small holes in it. One hole for the round light switch knob and the other for a securing nut or vent crank handle. Those plastic covers do yellow with age and new replacements are available. That would be the easiest and cheapest solution. If you wanted to go with recessed puck lights like the modern Airstreams have, I believe you could remove the center ceiling panel and rewire for the pucks.

The 1141 incandescent bulbs use alot of battery and make alot of heat. LED replacements reduce heat buildup inside the trailer in hot weather and battery drain when off the grid.

We found four of our 3 way switches are bad on the overhead lights and the prices are $28 each. Can this be right? Any other ideas?
Sandy

[Lance M]

Sandy,
Cheap light cover replacements.
Airstream Ceiling Light Lens 201154 Airstream Light Lens 1972 1977 [201154] - $14.95 : Out-of-Doors Mart!, More Airstream Parts on-line than anyone!
The switch is a tad pricey. Three way switches are used in a lot of applications. I'm sure you could take one to Grainger and get one that would work, but I doubt it would be much cheaper. It might be though.
Switch,3-way w/color coded wire 510195 Airstream Light Lens 1972 1977 switch [510195] - $26.95 : Out-of-Doors Mart!, More Airstream Parts on-line than anyone!

[ND10CentCan]

Originally Posted by Top

Sandy,
Cheap light cover replacements.
Airstream Ceiling Light Lens 201154 Airstream Light Lens 1972 1977 [201154] - $14.95 : Out-of-Doors Mart!, More Airstream Parts on-line than anyone!
The switch is a tad pricey. Three way switches are used in a lot of applications. I'm sure you could take one to Grainger and get one that would work, but I doubt it would be much cheaper. It might be though.
Switch,3-way w/color coded wire 510195 Airstream Light Lens 1972 1977 switch [510195] - $26.95 : Out-of-Doors Mart!, More Airstream Parts on-line than anyone!

Thanks Top,
I was hoping perhaps I could find a replacement for a little less money. Seems like anything connected with this project really means lots of time and plenty of $$$$. We might just have to bit the bullet on this one.
Sandy

[ND10CentCan]

Here is a birch and aluminum light fixture for DH's first draft for replacing the yellowed plastic ones. I wonder if the fact that you can see the bulbs and wires would distract or be unsightly? If I had a sheet of something that wouldn't burn, I could slip it in there and it would be perfect. Comments?
Sandy

[Kevin245]

Originally Posted by ND10CentCan

Here is a birch and aluminum light fixture for DH's first draft for replacing the yellowed plastic ones. I wonder if the fact that you can see the bulbs and wires would distract or be unsightly? If I had a sheet of something that wouldn't burn, I could slip it in there and it would be perfect. Comments?
Sandy

I think the draft version looks fine. I agree that something needs to be added. Not necessarily for the wires but to diffuse the light a bit.

Great initiative our your part.

[ND10CentCan]

Originally Posted by Kevin245

I think the draft version looks fine. I agree that something needs to be added. Not necessarily for the wires but to diffuse the light a bit.

Great initiative our your part.

I am wondering if we got some thin mica sheets and put them just across the bulb area....that might work. DH says it has to be open for the fan part so I can't close it completely off. Perhaps back to the drawing board. I will give my DH your compliment; he's the brains behind the entire project.
Sandy

[marzboy]

Ah ha! Heres where you went! Lookin good!

[ND10CentCan]

Originally Posted by marzboy

Ah ha! Heres where you went! Lookin good!

I sneaked away...actually I changed from the original frame thread as I didn't think it really fit anymore. Now I am just trying to document as we go along and figure out how to make things work on each step. Sometimes it feels like a gigantic jigsaw puzzle wrapped in a huge ball of tangled yarn. I liked your summation of the kind of daily work that you posted today The work that goes on for each tiny step and you can't even see how much time you put into those jobs. The good part is that some day we are going to be able to go camping!
Sandy

[ND10CentCan]

Does anyone know where we can get some new knobs for the four ceiling light fixtures that we have? They are fairly large flat knobs that turn the three way switch for the lights. We have three now (need four) and would like to either find all new (first preference depending upon cost) or something that looks even better than original.
Sandy

[ND10CentCan]

Since everyone in my family loves to camp, I have been busy making pennants for every camper. The plan is to hang them from the trees and camper when we go out. Each one signifies one of the kids, some of their favorite colors, or interests. I made some with small pennants and some larger. Should be interesting to see what sizes I finally end up with. Keeps me out of trouble anyway and helps me to wait patiently for our first camping trip this summer when we are all camping together on four adjacent sites in MN.
Sandy