Interior Lighting

[colan]

One thing we’ve been less than thrilled with is the amount of light in the main living area. Just not enough light for the old eyes.

Didn’t want to add lamps, more things to worry about or put away when breaking camp. While adding lights in the ceiling was possible, never could come up with a pattern for additional lights that looked like they belonged.

Got lucky, finally found slightly larger lights with twice the wattage. What a difference. Fairly easy process:

1. Remove the old light.

2. Enlarge the whole.

3. Install the new lights.

The hole for the original lights was about 3 1/4 inches. The new lights need a 5 inch hole. Cut a 5” circle from a paper plate to use as a pattern and a rotozip to cut the hole.

Moderator note: Link to Warm White option Colan used is here: https://leisurervparts.com/5-pack-le...rm-warm-white/

[bertschb]

One thing we’ve been less than thrilled with is the amount of light in the main living area.

I'm not sure what model you have but if I turned on all the lights in our main living area, I'd need to put on sunscreen. We have 7 lights on right now (main ceiling lights). I just counted and we have an additional 25 lights in the main living area that we don't use. The one thing our Solitude 310GK is not lacking is adequate lighting!

Your mod looks like a good upgrade though for those who don't have many lights in their RV. Thanks for sharing!

[Canyonlight]

I'm not sure what model you have but if I turned on all the lights in our main living area, I'd need to put on sunscreen. We have 7 lights on right now (main ceiling lights). I just counted and we have an additional 25 lights in the main living area that we don't use. The one thing our Solitude 310GK is not lacking is adequate lighting!

Your mod looks like a good upgrade though for those who don't have many lights in their RV. Thanks for sharing!

Brian - Colan has an earlier version Momentum....I do not recall the model. It would be great if he would add a signature. Like a few GDRVs in the early days, some models lighting was less than desired at times. In GDRV's approach to listen to customer feedback, later years versions are improved in many areas !

We met Colan at the 2019 National Rally as he was camped close to us. He also presented some seminars on maintenance items. He performs maintenance on the road as I recall and is quite knowledgeable and talented. Extremely nice guy !

Dan

[BillinTexas]

I assume that lighting is 12 volt? We have plenty as well. Would like to be able to tone it down some.

[howson]

I assume that lighting is 12 volt? We have plenty as well. Would like to be able to tone it down some.

You assume correctly!

Will you please take a picture of your Transcend's control panel (lighting control, battery indicator, tank levels, etc) and post it here?

[howson]

colan
Installed the Leisure RV lights in the bedroom. I had an OEM light going bad (flickering--second one that failed) so decided to give these a try. Thank you for the product suggestion!

For those who like numbers, the below measurements were taken with an app called "Lux". I put the camera sensor right against the light's surface to take the measurement. The exact number is not important, it's the difference. The new lights, on maximum, have a 57% increase in lux*. What's really great is the low light setting (a dimmer was installed yesterday) is almost identical with the old vs new lights. What that means is the dynamic range of the new lights is greater, allowing a wider range of light intensity.

*From Wikipedia: The lux is the SI derived unit of illuminance, measuring luminous flux per unit area. It is equal to one lumen per square metre. In photometry, this is used as a measure of the intensity, as perceived by the human eye, of light that hits or passes through a surface.

Colan is a professional, so I suspect the install (for me) was a more of an adventure. Definitely not a fast mod--would be easy to make a mistake.

Step 1 was to making a template and then drawing a pencil circle on the ceiling.



Step 2: Ensure nothing was on the other side that would impeded installation. Hold the wires out of the way where necessary. Using a dremel* with a cutter bit and router attachment, cut out the extra ceiling area (with the DW holding a ShopVac near to capture the debris).

*There's probably a better way to do this. I used the tools I had on hand.

Step 3: Wire the new lights. Very easy--no pics necessary. I used new crimp butt connectors.

Side-By-Side Comparison (Unfortunately I didn't ensure camera settings were manually set to ensure an exact comparison...oops)




The DW really likes the new lights. The light is much more pleasing to the eye (hard to capture in a picture). Rudy -- don't worry, I won't let her show Andi.

Howard

P.S. I bought a set of ten lights, so tackling the six lights in the living room this afternoon. I'll try to do better with the before and after shots (manual setting on camera).

[howson]

The six lights in the living room are done. Comparison shots below.

FULL BRIGHT (there is a dimmer on this circuit)



FULL DIM



Lights Off (so you can see how they look)

[BillinTexas]

You assume correctly!

Will you please take a picture of your Transcend's control panel (lighting control, battery indicator, tank levels, etc) and post it here?

Somehow I missed your request, howson Howard. Sorry. Here is the before and after the installation of dimmer switches

[howson]

Somehow I missed your request, howson Howard. Sorry. Here is the before and after the installation of dimmer switches

OK--so the CompassConnect system is not in your '21. Thank you! That helps fill a "knowledge gap".

[S&M_G]

howson Hey Howard: Sifting through several threads re: dimming ceiling lights but haven't solved my problem so hoped your experience in this area could help me.

Purchased 3 12v dimmers from Amazon which I found in another thread. 12vdc Dimmer Switch and then the switch adapters from Marty, also found in another thread.

Installed bedroom dimmer first & it took 3mins...works perfectly. Pretty nice feature!
Trying to install 2d dimmer for 8 ceiling lights and no beuno...
When wired as showed in instructions the ceiling lights do not work. Swapped wires thinking I reversed them & still nothing.

Illuminated ceiling switch has 3 wires:
--white appears to be ground to "light" the switch housing
-- 2 red wires into middle terminal, 12v power
-- 1 pink wire into bottom terminal, ground
Removed/isolated white wire and wired dimmer according to instructions & nothing. Thought dimmer was bad so quickly tested in bedroom & it's good.

What's weird is that with ceiling switch OFF/Lights OFF, when I disconnect the power wire from switch, all ceiling lights come on?!?
Is the Compass Connect system the cause of this?
Sending power to lights all the time, thus making the dimmer not useable?

Really wanted to dim the 8 ceiling lights...any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Matt

[howson]

howson Hey Howard: Sifting through several threads re: dimming ceiling lights but haven't solved my problem so hoped your experience in this area could help me.

Purchased 3 12v dimmers from Amazon which I found in another thread. 12vdc Dimmer Switch and then the switch adapters from Marty, also found in another thread.

Installed bedroom dimmer first & it took 3mins...works perfectly. Pretty nice feature!
Trying to install 2d dimmer for 8 ceiling lights and no beuno...
When wired as showed in instructions the ceiling lights do not work. Swapped wires thinking I reversed them & still nothing.

Illuminated ceiling switch has 3 wires:
--white appears to be ground to "light" the switch housing
-- 2 red wires into middle terminal, 12v power
-- 1 pink wire into bottom terminal, ground
Removed/isolated white wire and wired dimmer according to instructions & nothing. Thought dimmer was bad so quickly tested in bedroom & it's good.

What's weird is that with ceiling switch OFF/Lights OFF, when I disconnect the power wire from switch, all ceiling lights come on?!?
Is the Compass Connect system the cause of this?
Sending power to lights all the time, thus making the dimmer not useable?

Really wanted to dim the 8 ceiling lights...any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Matt

Hi Matt,
Yes, I suspect the issue you're having is related to the CompassConnect system in your trailer. Have you read this thread? https://gdrvowners.com/forum/operati...compassconnect

Without rehashing all the info in that thread, in brief: if a light (or series of lights) can be controlled by the CompassConnect panel and a manual switch, the switch does not directly power the lights. A dimmer won't work as all the switch does is provide a status to the input of the Unity board. The output of the Unity board provides power to the lights.

By the description in the post I suspect the bedroom lights are independent of the CompassConnect panel--is that correct?

Howard

[S&M_G]

howson Well, that’s a big bummer...I’d rather have a dimmer to control super bright ceiling lights than an app on my phone that only does on/off.

Thanks for sharing the other thread.
I read it but most of it is over my head, lol and I don’t know what board we have in our 2021 303 but it sounds like there isn’t an easy way to do what I hoped.

Wonder why GD decided to remove the capability from owners to dim lights...
Anyway, thanks for the help.
Matt

[howson]

howson Well, that’s a big bummer...I’d rather have a dimmer to control super bright ceiling lights than an app on my phone that only does on/off.

Thanks for sharing the other thread.
I read it but most of it is over my head, lol and I don’t know what board we have in our 2021 303 but it sounds like there isn’t an easy way to do what I hoped.

Wonder why GD decided to remove the capability from owners to dim lights...
Anyway, thanks for the help.
Matt

I *think* you have LCI's OneControl Unity1.5X. It does not have any dimmable outputs. The latching outputs turn components (like lights) on or off. The older trailers didn't have dimmable lights either, but it was easier to modify the trailer since the on/off switches pass power to the lights (versus a status signal to a computer board). In other words GD didn't "remove a capability"--the CompassConnect setup is actually quite clever, it 's just way harder for an owner to modify to dim lights.

I keep "harassing" our host every opportunity I get to add the dimming capability to their CompassConnect-enabled trailers. LCI has the technology built into the Unity X4, so it's definitely possible.

GDRV-Mariah … since this customer has a Reflection I'm tagging you. Please pass this customer's input to the Reflection team.

[DarnDave]

howson , I was just about to try to figure out how to add dimmers to my living room and kitchen areas in our 390. Both circuits are CC + wall switch. I remember an earlier thread with a wireless dimmer installed at the first light in the circuit from the CC. I remember (from the thread) that would work. Am I correct? Also, I tried to tag both you and S&M_G, but it would not take his handle. On another note, I tried the other day to install a facon duplex dimmer in place of existing duplex on our slideout LR light control. Dimmer wants power and ground in and out. Back of OEM switch has two wires crimped together at bottom of switch, and daisied over to other side, with also two crimped together. Top contact is single lead out. Not available on CC screen. Didn't have the time to try to meter all the connections at that time, but this did not look like the typical power in/power out 12 volt switch. Dimmer directions mention a "neutral". Any ideas?

[howson]

I was just about to try to figure out how to add dimmers to my living room and kitchen areas in our 390. Both circuits are CC + wall switch. I remember an earlier thread with a wireless dimmer installed at the first light in the circuit from the CC. I remember (from the thread) that would work. Am I correct?

I haven't read or seen pictures showing this actually done, but theoretically it should work. Be extra careful if you choose to alter anything with the CompassConnect setup in your trailer--the parts are expensive.

I tried to tag both you and S&M_G, but it would not take his handle.

https://gdrvowners.com/forum/gdrv4li...1213#post41213

On another note, I tried the other day to install a facon duplex dimmer in place of existing duplex on our slideout LR light control. Dimmer wants power and ground in and out. Back of OEM switch has two wires crimped together at bottom of switch, and daisied over to other side, with also two crimped together. Top contact is single lead out. Not available on CC screen. Didn't have the time to try to meter all the connections at that time, but this did not look like the typical power in/power out 12 volt switch. Dimmer directions mention a "neutral". Any ideas?

Hmmm..."neutral" is usually associated with 120v wiring. Are you sure the dimmer is for a 12v system? "Facon" is the same company that makes the lights GD uses, so it should be right. Solid white wires are typically the negative return, or ground, or "neutral". Some type of stripe on the wire typically indicates +12v.

Take a few pics and upload them. There are plenty of forum members that will be able to assist with this one. (I'll be out riding the motorcycle today!)

Howard