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Cabin light dull

Posted: Tue Dec 27, 2016 10:03 pm
by janie
Hi everyone,

hope you all had a lovely Christmas!

My cabin light(in the back) is not as bright as usual. The battery is charged and solar panel working. Do I need a new a new bulb and if so any recommendations.

Happy New year xxxx

Re: Cabin light dull

Posted: Tue Dec 27, 2016 10:08 pm
by Bob
Most likely battery voltage is slightly down due to cold weather.

Worth trying it with the engine running or a charger attatched before you spend any money. :wink:

Re: Cabin light dull

Posted: Tue Dec 27, 2016 10:11 pm
by g8dhe
Could also be dirty switch contacts or lamp socket worth cleaning the lamp contacts as well.

Re: Cabin light dull

Posted: Tue Dec 27, 2016 10:12 pm
by janie
Tested the battery voltage,Bob and that looks good. I'll give the contacts a clean x

Re: Cabin light dull

Posted: Tue Dec 27, 2016 10:14 pm
by Bob
Geoff's our man. :D

Other brands available:

http://www.screwfix.com/p/wd-40-special ... 0woddbMLhg

Re: Cabin light dull

Posted: Tue Dec 27, 2016 11:44 pm
by mikeonb4c
g8dhe wrote:Could also be dirty switch contacts or lamp socket worth cleaning the lamp contacts as well.
That's what turned out to be the cause of mine. 10 years later its still bright and i still carry the replacement tube i never ended up needing to fit doh!

Re: Cabin light dull

Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2016 3:44 pm
by cmm303
Not sure about the scientific facts but fluorescent tubes seem dimmer when cold. In winter, ours takes a while to get properly bright, presumably as it warms up.

Re: Cabin light dull

Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2016 6:49 pm
by Northern Bongolow
remove the cover, carefully if its cold, then grab the tube gently with the light bulb lit and roll it it round slightly then back again, this helps the pins on the end of the tube clean the contacts in the light unit. remember there is a small delay as it lights up.

Re: Cabin light dull

Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2016 1:21 am
by mikeonb4c
Northern Bongolow wrote:remove the cover, carefully if its cold, then grab the tube gently with the light bulb lit and roll it it round slightly then back again, this helps the pins on the end of the tube clean the contacts in the light unit. remember there is a small delay as it lights up.
that was all mine needed......10 years ago. Almost makes you wonder how/why it became dull in the first place :roll: :lol:

Re: Cabin light dull

Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2016 12:43 pm
by janie
Thanks for the replies. I've given the contacts a gift of a jiggle and all I as well again :D

Re: Cabin light dull

Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2016 12:46 pm
by stevlor
Interesting thread, I normally just hit mine until it gets brighter - now I know what to try instead!

Re: Cabin light dull

Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2016 6:51 pm
by Northern Bongolow
stevlor wrote:Interesting thread, I normally just hit mine until it gets brighter - now I know what to try instead!
can you come round and try to fix my fairy lights on my tree ive tried everything else, maybe you have the magic touch. :lol: :lol: :wink:

Re: Cabin light dull

Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2016 7:49 pm
by Bob
stevlor wrote:Interesting thread, I normally just hit mine until it gets brighter - now I know what to try instead!

That's what our teachers used to do to us.

Chemistry and Physics I'm not kidding. :twisted:

Re: Cabin light dull

Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2016 9:56 pm
by mikeonb4c
Bob wrote:
stevlor wrote:Interesting thread, I normally just hit mine until it gets brighter - now I know what to try instead!

That's what our teachers used to do to us.

Chemistry and Physics I'm not kidding. :twisted:
:lol: :lol: :lol: =D> =D> =D>

Re: Cabin light dull

Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2016 10:32 pm
by Bob
Interestingly an old class mate was putting in a new door and frame for us just last week.

Over lunch the conversation went round to our 'Old school days' and I pointed out to Sue its 'Just like listening to me, I didn't make this up'.

We were the first comprehensive year and didn't enjoy it. :mrgreen: