Over Microwave Lite on 378

[gronotte]

We got real tired of the awful lighting over the counter, so I went to Home Desperate and bought this fixture. It has a dimmer as well. Best mod i ever did.

[VinceU]

Now that is some mood lighting. However nice install!

[dutch]

That really looks nice, That is a great way of getting more light Can you tell me how you did this? Are they one unit or three separate lights? how are the secured to the ceiling? And did you hard wire them in or are they plug in under the cabinet? If you hard wired them how?

Thanks

[downeyr]

Awesome! More information please, on how you did it.

[daddio]

Looks great. How did you do it

[Wolfee]

I agree our same unit 378TS has to dark a kitchen. Great mod. How did you wire it and switch the unit

[ramair]

We added a small LED light in the main ceiling and ran the power from the fantastic vent to the light. Easy mod will post pictures soon. Was done while at the Goshen Rally. Your mod looks great...

[gronotte]

Sorry out visiting family for Thanksgiving last few days.
This mod is very easy took about an hour
Purchase lite from home depot they have white or chrome (the chrome matches the micro perfect )
The fixture comes with with a dimmer switch and clear cord with wall plug
Mounting is simple as the trim above the microwave is very solid, two hidden screws for the mounting plate and it's done
Cut the cord so you can run it down through the hole for the microwave plug and reconnect
You will need a multi plug of some sort as there is only one outlet for the microwave
Make sure you install so the cord is to your right and tuck it up and out of the way across the top and into the space beside the microwave.
Aim your lites as needed they swivel tilt and turn
Then bask in glory as your wife hugs you for days
more questions just ask

[Wolfee]

Thanks for the post on how to install will be going to pick one up. Great post...

[dutch]

X2, we are going to pick one up. thanks for the mod

[IMSMan]

GRONOTTE: I recently purchased the same lite at Home Depot for our 378. In our 2014 the microwave extends about 3" from the trim above the microwave. It appears that a spacer may be needed between the back of the fixture and trim above the microwave in order that the individual lights can be adjusted down. Did you use a spacer or is the not an issue?

[LittlePM]

Looks great we might have to do the same thing. Thanks for sharing

[Lostdog]

Originally Posted by gronotte

Sorry out visiting family for Thanksgiving last few days.
This mod is very easy took about an hour
Purchase lite from home depot they have white or chrome (the chrome matches the micro perfect )
The fixture comes with with a dimmer switch and clear cord with wall plug
Mounting is simple as the trim above the microwave is very solid, two hidden screws for the mounting plate and it's done
Cut the cord so you can run it down through the hole for the microwave plug and reconnect
You will need a multi plug of some sort as there is only one outlet for the microwave
Make sure you install so the cord is to your right and tuck it up and out of the way across the top and into the space beside the microwave.
Aim your lites as needed they swivel tilt and turn
Then bask in glory as your wife hugs you for days
more questions just ask

Do you have a HD part number? I'm having problems finding your light.
Thanks

[gronotte]

Re the space between the micro and ceiling
Just mount as close to micro as possible, lites just clear ceiling

Re part number
Sorry i do not have, mine was purchased in Las Vegas
might be on the HD web site

[Mickeystamper]

Gronette,

Thanks for the idea! I looked for the lights that you installed but no luck. So I opted to go for LED lights on a trac bar. Since my wife cannot reach over the microwave I installed a switch with dimmer under the cupboard close to the 110 volt receptacle. Worked out great. I was able to run the power wire straight into the cupboard, kept it tucked in the corner, and straight down into an access hole I drilled to the pocket where I mounted the switch. I picked up power from the lead to the 110 volt receptor all.

[Falcon35]

I did some thing like that but yours is much nicer. I used a florescent strip and the cord to the microwave the same is you did. Now I'm going to keep watching for a fixture like yours.

[Mickeystamper]

Falcon35
The trick was finding a light that would work. The light base had to reach out beyond the microwave a minimum of 3.5", No more than 6" light to be clear the micro door, less than 2.5" wide base. The trac bar needed to be about 1/4" clearance between the trac bar and micro top to give enough room to rotate the trac bar light into the trac. I would think Forest River would install some type of light in that location during the unit build.

[Falcon35]

Originally Posted by Mickeystamper

Falcon35
The trick was finding a light that would work. The light base had to reach out beyond the microwave a minimum of 3.5", No more than 6" light to be clear the micro door, less than 2.5" wide base. The trac bar needed to be about 1/4" clearance between the trac bar and micro top to give enough room to rotate the trac bar light into the trac. I would think Forest River would install some type of light in that location during the unit build.

I agree I don't know why FR has not put a light there. A FR tech did give me a peace of trim to hid the light strip at the Frog rally. It still is not as nice as the fixture in your photo.

[Mickeystamper]

Here are the part numbers for the lights I used.

I got all of this at Lowes. The setup is white.

0650139 Project Source dimmable LED lighting head.

0650158 Project source live end power feed

I don't have the part number on the Project Sourse trac bar. I used a 48" bar and cut it.

Keep in mind, my setup does not have a power switch. That was nice on the lights Gronette used, although I like the dimming capability of my setup, and my wife can reach the switch.

If you decide to install a switch, I can give you a few helpful hints.

Hope this helps you.

Once again the FROG forum gets a gold star for conveying good information
to GT owners!

[Mickeystamper]

hope my last massage didn't confuse anyone. What I meant to say was the unit gronette installed had a built in power switch and my trac bar setup did not. So a switch will need to be installed.