Coach Ceiling Lighting is Too BRIGHT!

RickO · 10-10-2007, 03:34 PM

After full timing in our new Ellipse for five months we're learning about all of those things which weren't apparent at first. One of those things is the ceiling lighting in the Lounge, Galley and Bath. They are all just way too harsh and bright for most times.

These areas are covered by four 7.5" X 22" "Thin Lites" each containing two florescent tubes.

Does anyone have experience with replacing these with something that can have a dimmer put on it or other creative approaches?

RickO · 10-10-2007, 03:34 PM

After full timing in our new Ellipse for five months we're learning about all of those things which weren't apparent at first. One of those things is the ceiling lighting in the Lounge, Galley and Bath. They are all just way too harsh and bright for most times.

These areas are covered by four 7.5" X 22" "Thin Lites" each containing two florescent tubes.

Does anyone have experience with replacing these with something that can have a dimmer put on it or other creative approaches?

KIX · 10-10-2007, 03:39 PM

We had the same experience. I went to Home Depot and bought a bulb labeled as a "Kitchen" bulb. Softens the light just right. If I still had the packaging I could give you the model/brand name but as I remember there's not a lot of choices. What you probably have now is "Cool White".

jimandsue60 · 10-10-2007, 03:50 PM

You should be able to look at the wattage of the bulb and purchase lower wattage bulbs. In addition there are cool and warm bulbs meaning the color of the light they produce. A warm light bulb would be more reddish a cool light bulb would be more blueish. Most ace hardware stores carry these bulbs or can order them for you.

Jim

Moder2 · 10-12-2007, 11:41 AM

We did the same thing.

Actually our friends, Buck & Jeff did it as a 'Coach Warming' present for us. We got them at Home Depot, and I believe they were the Phillips Soft White F15T8 15 watt for the majority of the thin light fixtures, a few of the others took smaller bulbs (under cabinet lights), and the Big fixtures I believe were 4 foot bulbs.

All were available at home depot in the same 'color'. It does make a dramatic difference.

John

John Hilley · 10-12-2007, 04:22 PM

Some 12 volt dimmers are rated for fluorescent lights. This is the one I have. I use it on incandescent lights, but it works with fluorescent lighting. Dimmer

Zimectrin · 10-13-2007, 05:55 AM

As we see more and more florescent lights in life you will see references to the 'color tempeture'. The higher the number (4000's) the color will have more blue and be labeled as natural. The lower numbers (3000's) will be more yellow and be labeled indoor or soft light. Older folks find the 3700+ degree lights a little harsh (we do like our sunglasses outdoors) and seem to feel more at home with 3500 degree.

Wal-Mart, Home Depot, etc should have the tubes side by side on sale.

We changed all of ours to the 'Kitchen' as stated above and are very happy with them.

RickO · 10-13-2007, 10:05 AM

Thanks to all. Great suggestions! I sure didn't know that dimmers were an option for florescent lights.

Randyat1001 · 10-13-2007, 01:21 PM

Dimmers are only an option for fluoresent fixtures with dimming ballasts, which are quite expensive. I doubt if there was no dimmer that the fixtures were so designed and installing a dimmer will burn the ballast up prematurely.
Regards, Randy

Doula · 10-13-2007, 06:09 PM

This is a source of small disagreement between my husband and I. I dislike the harshness of the overhead thinlites. My husband prefers them! He keeps turning them on, and I keep turning the under-cabinet lights and side lamp on and turning those florescents off. Back and forth we go! I like the more "cozy" lighting unless I need the bright lights for deep cleaning, but he "likes to see everything".

If I snuck in some lower watt bulbs, you think he'd notice?

SCVJeff · 10-14-2007, 01:55 AM

Mine really aren't too bright, but they are "harsh". Our SOP TV mode is one small table lamp converted to 12V at least 20 years ago. It's the best light in the house. The florescents are basically used as "maintenance", or cleaning lights. besides, they kill the AM radio.

Doula · 10-14-2007, 07:08 PM

Btw...I just got a kick out of showing this thread to my husband so that he knows that it's not just me who thinks those lights are too harsh for routine stuff. Thanks you all!

I agree that they're great for maintenance and cleaning, so it's not like I'd want to be totally without them.

B K · 10-14-2007, 09:28 PM

I'm on your side Lori. We also thought the overheads too harsh. Liked the rope lights over the kitchen cabinet and bingo. Went to Home Depot and bought rope lights and remote control outlets. Installed the rope lights around the perimeter of the two front slides behind the trim moulding and under the front cabinets above the dash. Plugged them into two remote control outlets and mounted the remote control on the side of the kitchen cabinet. We love the "mood" lighting.

Izzyblueye · 10-15-2007, 05:06 AM

We did the same thing with rope lights a few years back. Installed mine with a dimmer switch and wouldn't be with out them. Only lights we use in the coach except for reading. Gives the coach a nice comfortable glow and seems to enhance the furnishings. Homer's DW.