Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 12-29-2016, 07:54 PM   #1
Cyber Phrenologist
 
Radio's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Southern Crescent
Posts: 1,806
Ceiling Fan Light Kit Upgrade - Finally

I never liked the light kit that came with the ceiling fan in our Rockwood 8280SS. I didn’t like the modern style and the fact it was 3 spotlight things no matter which way they were pointed. I didn’t like the harshness of the light. With a limited selection of bulbs, mainly CF or incandescent available in that type base, changing the bulbs made it worse with that cold blue CF light that had to warm up, to boot.

I just wasn’t happy with the light. And I tend to over think things. Especially when it comes to camper stuff. Electrical Stuff. And light.

I figured the switch plate on the bottom of the fan (which in this case also holds the 3 spot light fixtures) would be some odd ball size that could not be found anywhere. And I was right. It’s about ¼ in too small to be replaced with anything you could get at a big box store or even Amazon. I was wrong however in my assumption this was an insurmountable problem in replacing the light kit.

You just have to disassemble the old kit, reuse the switch plate, and not worry about the 3 holes that are left over from the old spot light fixtures. The holes are almost invisible once the new light kit is installed. Once the switch and light fixtures are removed from the plate the install proceeds like any other fan light kit install. Why I had such a mental block about it I don’t know. I guess I didn’t want to live with the 3 extra holes (that are nearly invisible.)

That and I tend to rant on about the quality of light in my camper.

Or something.

So at Loew’s the other day I came across a light kit that looked promising. SKU 0429786. There are several kits in this series with various finish to the metal. This kit is brushed nickel which matches the fan. It has 4 alabaster shades and takes candelabra type bulbs. The shades screw onto their bases and so WILL NOT fall off the fan while the trailer is in motion. Wonderful! The finished install produced an even, warm, bright, soft light that I was looking for. Perfect.

You’ll want to save the old fobs. The new ones are heavy and metal. Imagine a small ball ping hammer swinging around up there.

Cost $30 and about an hours time. Still don't know why I thought such a simple mod would be so difficult. It wasn't. I guess because it's in an RV.

Pic 1 shows the old light kit disassembled and the old switch plate installed on the new kit. Note I saved the little connector from the old kit to make installing easier.

Pic 2 and 3 shows the fished install.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	DSCF0145.jpg
Views:	86
Size:	486.7 KB
ID:	127313   Click image for larger version

Name:	DSCF0151.jpg
Views:	100
Size:	316.0 KB
ID:	127314   Click image for larger version

Name:	DSCF0149.jpg
Views:	78
Size:	378.4 KB
ID:	127315  
__________________
KU4OJ
2008 (or is it 2009?) Rockwood 8280SS - 2022 F-250 7.3L
Lot's of mostly Kenwood radios

Radio is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
fan, light, upgrade

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Forest River, Inc. or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:01 PM.