Sawdust in LED overhead lights

MissouriBob · 09-30-2016, 12:10 AM

Just acquired a used 2015 Palomino Puma 25RS. Doing the usual upgrades all RVer's tend to do to make their unit theirs.

All of my overhead LED light fixtures have a fair amount of sawdust lying in the lenses. I've seen this on every RV I've owned the last 40 or so years, but have had no problem removing the lenses to clean out the dust. However, so far, the lights are resisting my meager efforts to remove the lenses. As I've not encountered these type of lights before, before I break something I wanted to ask if anyone knows how to remove the lens so I can clean them.

Thank you for any help I can get!

davel1971 · 09-30-2016, 05:43 AM

a picture would help, as there are many light styles in the RV industry

**Bama Rambler** · 09-30-2016, 07:55 AM

As Dave (or Lynn) said, a picture would help as there are several different styles of fixtures used in RV's now days.

If they're the divided fixtures, the lens pry away from the divider a little and then pull down. If they're the solid oval units, the lens squeeze together a little and pull down.

dieselguy · 09-30-2016, 08:16 AM

If you are talking about the 3-4" round frosted domes on your LED lights ... although a bit stubborn ... they just pop off. Some have a small slot so you can place a small screwdriver in and twist.

Nurek · 09-30-2016, 12:39 PM

I've got styrofoam bits in my lights and they are not so simple to open as one would think. If I insert a flathead screwdriver or panel popper into those little slots, there is no movement and the light looks like it is prying off the ceiling.

Nothing good can come from forcing plastic.

5picker · 09-30-2016, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nurek

I've got styrofoam bits in my lights and they are not so simple to open as one would think. If I insert a flathead screwdriver or panel popper into those little slots, there is no movement and the light looks like it is prying off the ceiling.

Nothing good can come from forcing plastic.

The white bezel/trim does not pop off.
The frosted center lens pops off the white trim.
Slide something thin (like a utility knife blade) in between the two, twist slightly and pull downwards.

Once apart, you'll see how it all works. Those slots near the ceiling are deceiving.

Nurek · 09-30-2016, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5picker

The white bezel/trim does not pop off.
The frosted center lens pops off the white trim.
Slide something thin (like a utility knife blade) in between the two, twist slightly and pull downwards.

Once apart, you'll see how it all works. Those slots near the ceiling are deceiving.

Thank you my hero of the day!

rthomaslyons · 09-30-2016, 01:20 PM

If they are the oval shaped lens, I take my Stanley carpenter clamp and gently squeeze the ends a bit and then I can pop them out by squeezing the sides with my fingers.

dieselguy · 09-30-2016, 07:12 PM

If your lights are like these ... like said stick a small screw driver in slot on lens and twist. The base is screwed to the ceiling.

markb422 · 09-30-2016, 09:04 PM

If they are 4 or 5 inch dia. round translucent cloud type, they unscrew.

BooBoo23 · 09-30-2016, 09:55 PM

I have a Puma 25RS also and just cleaned the sawdust from the lights yesterday. Someone already told you how to get them off. Very easy.

davel1971 · 10-01-2016, 08:00 AM

I guess the OP isn't in a rush to fix the lights, since he hasn't been back

SidecarFlip · 10-01-2016, 08:40 AM

A little junk in the lights adds character.... lol

MissouriBob · 10-02-2016, 10:12 AM

Thanks to all for your answers and suggestions. I could see those slots where each light met the ceiling, but those did not want to release the light. I'll go and try sticking a screwdriver between the lens and frame. Thanks again!

BooBoo23 · 10-02-2016, 11:57 AM

Just do as 5picker says in post #6. I just used the blade of my pocket knife and slipped it between the lens and the outer frame and just twisted a little pulled it down and they popped right off.

MissouriBob · 10-02-2016, 04:01 PM

I stuck my screwdriver blade between the lens and fixture, pried a little and pop! off it comes. Still more brute force than I was willing to try without direction! But, clean lenses for now!

Thanks for the help 5picker BooBoo23!

Ford Idaho · 10-02-2016, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MissouriBob

I stuck my screwdriver blade between the lens and fixture, pried a little and pop! off it comes. Still more brute force than I was willing to try without direction! But, clean lenses for now!

Thanks for the help 5picker BooBoo23!

Great!

I had to clean sawdust out of 6 of the lens before our first trip this year, I noticed a couple of them had more in them when I closed it up last weekend.

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