Skline01
Norton Shores, Mi
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First real trip with recently purchased 2004 Winne Sightseer, 31'. Things were fine all systems go - then on first night noticed the overhead light in bedroom didn't work. Opened up and no blubs - put blubs in and it didn't work and now the light for the porch and the light over the sink in bathroom and kitchen sink are now not working. Checked and reset GFI; checked fuses in the coach for motorhome and reset each circuit in the panel and still can't get lights - only real change putting bulbs in the overhead light in bedroom - took those out and no change?? Not sure what else to check - all other systems are working fine. Any ideas or recommendations??? Thanks for you help.
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mpmeisch
Arlington, TN formally Aurora, IL
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Your lights are on the 12 volt bus. Check those fuses or breakers, they are usually located in a different location than the 120 volt breakers. Also, make sure the bulbs are inserted correctly, if not inserted all the way or correctly they could be shorting out that circuit affecting the rest of your lights on that circuit.
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Badeye
Bonaire GA
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Since the bulbs had been removed it sounds like there was an existing problem. Are the bulbs florescent or incandescent ? If they are florescent then the ballast may have gone out. Had that happen to me on my last trip and I had to replace the fixture. Since you have other problems you may want to check the 12 volts (actually should measure about 13 volts) at the fixtures. If they are florescent, you will have to remove the fixture and measure at the wires that attach to the fixture, not where the bulbs attach.
I would do this at each of the fixtures to make sure that they either do or do not have voltage before going further.
Badeye
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Triker33
Homestead, FL
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Buy a Circuit Tester, take the bulb out and see if 12V is present. If it is then change bulb. No 12V, check for bad fuse.
Tester can also be used to check for bad fuses and a number of 12V checks.
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big dave
Soldotna, Alaska, USA
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I agree, you probably have a bad fixture, and replacing the lamp caused the fixture to short, and take out the circuit (blown 12VDC fuse). As others have said, the DC fuses will be located in a completely different panel from the AC breakers.
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Skline01
Norton Shores, Mi
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Thanks everyone. I have the blubs out and had checked all fuses marked for lighting - then saw another fuse that was unmarked in the box - checked it and sure enough it was a blown fuse - replaced that and the other lights came on. I will buy the tester and check the overhead light where the issue started and go from there.
This forum is so great - thanks again everyone
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Movin' on
western Ohio
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We had a problem with bedroom lights last time out. Replaced bulb and it made several other lights quit working. Found out we had put wrong bulb in bedroom fixture. Some had two dots on the bottom (I don't know what else to call them) some have one dot. Make sure you put in the right bulb. Hope this makes sense.
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Deen
Vancouver, WA
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Movin' on wrote:We had a problem with bedroom lights last time out. Replaced bulb and it made several other lights quit working. Found out we had put wrong bulb in bedroom fixture. Some had two dots on the bottom (I don't know what else to call them) some have one dot. Make sure you put in the right bulb. Hope this makes sense. The "dots" are contacts, they connect to the contacts in the base.
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Skline01
Norton Shores, Mi
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Movin' on wrote:We had a problem with bedroom lights last time out. Replaced bulb and it made several other lights quit working. Found out we had put wrong bulb in bedroom fixture. Some had two dots on the bottom (I don't know what else to call them) some have one dot. Make sure you put in the right bulb. Hope this makes sense.
Makes a lot of sense to me. The manual for the MH does not give any indication of the type of bulb replacement. There were some cheap lites in it - went to NAPA and bought some "good" ones (made in China also)of the same number but they must also be the wrong type. I will first check the fixture with circuit tester then stop by the RV place to talk about types of bulbs that might be used. I do know from my old 5th wheel that the wrong bulb can screw things up. Thanks again for your reply
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GPWayne
Lake Stevens. WA
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If you try to install a lamp with a single contact in a socket with two contacts, you will short out the socket and blow the fuse or breaker. I have seen people go through a box of fuses before looking into the socket.
When you find an unmarked breaker or fuse be sure to mark (ID) it. Use a Dymo or at least masking tape and a ballpoint' but get an ID on it. You will be glad you did if you have to find it in a hurry, in the dark.
I would also check the disk that holds the contacts in the socket. If it's damaged or out of place, it could cause a short even when instslling the correct lamp.
Make sure you get a volt ohm meter. That's something all RV owners will use over and over again.
Good luck
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