2012 Itasca Meridian ceiling light covers

dlovitt · 08-01-2012, 09:08 PM

The ceiling light covers seem impossible to remove. I want to replace the halogens with LEDs but can't get the covers loose. I haven't had this problem with other units. Am I just getting old and weak or is there a trick I don't know about?

rream · 08-01-2012, 09:14 PM

Mine screw on like a cap on a jar of pickles, I had to use a rubber bottle opener to get a good grip on one.

Yoda2405 · 08-01-2012, 10:01 PM

If they are the same as 2011 I found pushing up while twisting seemed to help. You do not have to twist very far an inch or so. Some were much worse than others. A jar lid gripper would help.
Good Luck,

dlovitt · 08-02-2012, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dlovitt

The ceiling light covers seem impossible to remove. I want to replace the halogens with LEDs but can't get the covers loose. I haven't had this problem with other units. Am I just getting old and weak or is there a trick I don't know about?

Once I decided that the covers would not break with just the force I can exert, I got the covers removed and the HOT halogens replaced with COOL LEDs. The decrease in heat is remarkable.

bgsc · 08-03-2012, 05:31 AM

Try pushing up and turning at the same time, worked for me on my Tour

DancinCampers · 08-03-2012, 06:22 AM

dlovitt, could you share which led you used. I would like to do same as the heat measured at my glass covers is around 180, and I think over time it will discolor the ceiling vinyl.
Thanks

dlovitt · 08-03-2012, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DancinCampers

dlovitt, could you share which led you used. I would like to do same as the heat measured at my glass covers is around 180, and I think over time it will discolor the ceiling vinyl.
Thanks

I bought them over a year ago and do not remember where. I do recall that it was a marine supply house at of Miami? You can Google RV LED lights and I am sure you will find multiple sources. They are not cheap: therefore we are doing a few at a time.

Yoda2405 · 08-03-2012, 09:46 PM

I purchased the LED from EBAY, link attached. They are pretty good, not as bright as I thought they would be as they are rated about the same as the 10W Halogens. But work well enough that I replaced almost all the ceiling halogens with them.

G4 12 SMD 5050 LED Bulb Lamp light 12V Pure White Light Car Auto US fast ship | eBay

The one issue is they are polarity sensitive and some of the lights I had to reverse the wiring going to the fixture to get the polarity correct for the lamp. Strange that some of the fixtures did not require re-wiring but over half did, made replacing them take a bit longer.
They really do help with the heat from those lights.

Good Luck,

dlovitt · 08-04-2012, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DancinCampers

dlovitt, could you share which led you used. I would like to do same as the heat measured at my glass covers is around 180, and I think over time it will discolor the ceiling vinyl.
Thanks

A miracle! I found the invoice from Sailorsams.com. I bought item # svc-Lg4s10cw; 10-30 volt DC LED bulb with side pins. No polarity problems and the light IMHO is pleasing.

DancinCampers · 08-05-2012, 09:08 AM

Thanks a bunch, will look into them.

We will be at the SKP Escapade in Sept, they usually have a vender there. Will see what they have before I buy.

Ditto on the rubber jar lid remover, works great. Don't let one fall, they make a big mess when the hit the floor. Tech dropped one when replacing bulb. We were finding slivers for a week after.

Our ceiling units use 20 watt bulbs, while the cabinet mounted units use 10 watt.

toddb · 08-08-2012, 10:07 PM

Got my LED replacements from RVupgradestore.com.
Bought them by the 10-pack and replaced all the puck lights in the ceiling.

Contoure LED G4 Bulb 2.4 Watt With Side Pins - 10 Pack.
Took 4 10-packs to do them all so not cheap but definitely worth it from a heat perspective. No issues with polarity, just plug and play.

Todd
2011 Itasca Ellipse 42QD