Is Vent with Light Attached Original or Modification?

Cammo1 · 04-04-2018, 08:36 AM

We bought a 2004 Trailmanor 2619 camper in February and have been working on fixing it up. It has a vent (Ventline brand) over the table that has a ripped screen and broken garnish that I want to replace. What I found curious is that there is a light mounted on the actual screen of the vent, and the wire connections are not original (they have electrical tape on them).
Attached are photos.

So is the light supposed to be attached to the screen? Or was there a fan there and someone rigged it for a light.
There is a black knob on one side of the garnish that turns but nothing happens. The light is operational with the switch on the light itself.

I have found a replacement screen and garnish from etrailer.com that will work as replacements, but I am not sure if I should get a fan or just put the light back up. There is another fan by the door (for the stove) that works fine, so not sure if I need another fan.

I have not taken it apart yet as it is siliconed in and I want to have the new parts before I get everything apart.

Any advice / info would be appreciated!

**Bill** · 04-04-2018, 09:02 AM

There were originally two lights at that location, arranged end-to-end. The taped-up wires look the ones that fed the missing light.

Bill

Shane826 · 04-04-2018, 09:40 AM

Yeah they are just kinda screwed into the screen. Check out these “RV LED Chandeliers”... Its a ring of LEDs that screws onto the trim ring. Really gives off a lot of light, and much cleaner looking. I recommend the warm white/translucent diffuser combo. I have bright white, they are a bit harsh. Pictures show them used on a Fan-tastic vent but I have them on the regular vents since they already were wired for power for the old lights.

https://www.rvupgradestore.com/LED-R...-p/23-4781.htm

https://www.amazon.com/Hengs-HG-LR-C.../dp/B01EXKTYTU

Cammo1 · 04-04-2018, 10:01 AM

Thanks for the info Bill and Shane!
The LED light you have looks like the way to go...I will have to get one.
Yes, I learned a while back that you have to get the warmer LED lights, the other ones are just too 'Blue' in color - harsh.
Thanks again!
Dawn

**commodor47** · 04-04-2018, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cammo1

. . .
There is a black knob on one side of the garnish that turns but nothing happens. The light is operational with the switch on the light itself. . . .

The black knob is used to turn on the circuit supplying power to the two lights over the front bed. It is supposed to make it easier to turn both fixtures on or off without the need to climb up on the bed. Most owners with that option leave both fixtures on then use the black button to turn them off at the vent. That is how we use our black button light switch.

Dick

Larryjb · 04-04-2018, 11:48 AM

I noticed some rust on one of the vent trim screws. I'd pop the trim off and check for moisture and leaks. The vent may need re-caulking from the outside. (Be sure to use a piece of plywood on the roof if you need to climb on there.

**Bill** · 04-04-2018, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shane826

Check out these “RV LED Chandeliers”... Its a ring of LEDs that screws onto the trim ring. Really gives off a lot of light, and much cleaner looking. I recommend the warm white/translucent diffuser combo. I have bright white, they are a bit harsh.

https://www.rvupgradestore.com/LED-R...-p/23-4781.htm

https://www.amazon.com/Hengs-HG-LR-C.../dp/B01EXKTYTU

Shane

The product specs say that it is dimmable, but the dimmer is not included. Did you find/buy a dimmer? Did the instructions name a source for the dimmer? I don't particularly like the OEM fixtures in this location, but the fact that there are two fixtures means that you can switch on one or both, depending on how much light you want. Sort of a pseudo-dimmer. In addition you can load one fixture with bright white LED bulbs, and the other with warm white LED bulbs, giving you a choice at any given time.

The product specs say in one place that it comes with warm white lights, and in another place that it comes with cool white lights. Were you able to specify?

Bill

Shane826 · 04-04-2018, 03:07 PM

Bill- Mine came with an on/off switch but no dimmer, not was it mentioned in the directions. As for different temperatures of light, you have 4 different models to choose from; either warm white or cool white LEDs with either clear or translucent lenses/diffusers. I found these at the local Camping World and didn’t realize there were different options till after I installed them; CW only had cool white with translucent. They are VERY BRIGHT. If I had it to do over, I’d get one like I have and one warm white/translucent lens. Remember Tom? He got the warm/ clear, and says they are plenty bright, too. My 3326 has 2 vents side by side, I have these on both. Both will light the whole camper except the rear bed, one lights the front area very nicely. I left regular bulbs both over the dinette and in the reading lights over the couch. They are a much warmer, dimmer light. Gives me a nice variety of lighting options.

**Bill** · 04-04-2018, 04:07 PM

Amazon seems to have a good dimmer - $6.50 with free shipping for Prime.
An outfit called 1000Bulbs has the same item for $4, but shipping will run about $10 or more.

Bill

Larryjb · 04-04-2018, 04:35 PM

I wonder how hot the dimmer would get when set to low? I know 120 v AC dimmers can get very warm. I imagine a 12v DC dimmer wouldn't get as warm though.