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Old 06-06-2018, 02:03 PM   #1
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Angry Overhead light failure

One of the three interior overhead lights in my 2017 Escape21 has failed. I took the cover off expecting to find bulbs I could remove/replace and to my astonishment it is a soldered in circuit board with a linear LED grid. Don't ask if it's a fuse problem, it has power. One-third of the linear grid works as it should, the center third does not work at all and the other third flashes intermittently like a strobe light (and without the cover on it hurts your eyes). Q1: Should this thing fail at all? If so Q2: why install such a user unfriendly element? I've used my camper for perhaps 7 full weeks of the 13 months since my purchase, and of course, I use the light itself for a few hours in the evening and morning of those days. Q3: Where does one get such a replacement circuit board? I guess I will have to dust off my never used in 25 years soldering iron to replace it.
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Old 06-06-2018, 02:06 PM   #2
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Sorry to hear.



Your Escape is still under warranty, so I'd call Escape. I am sure they will help you.
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Old 06-06-2018, 02:21 PM   #3
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The one over our table developed the disco strobe effect too and I used this to replace it.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XR7LNY2...lig_dp_it&th=1
The one in the bathroom lost a few LEDs. I like the dimmer look of it but probably should find a replacement for it. Amazon does not seem to carry anything with a cover over the switch so I guess I need to look elsewhere.
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Old 06-06-2018, 03:03 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by johnp271 View Post
One of the three interior overhead lights in my 2017 Escape21 has failed. I took the cover off expecting to find bulbs I could remove/replace and to my astonishment it is a soldered in circuit board with a linear LED grid. Don't ask if it's a fuse problem, it has power. One-third of the linear grid works as it should, the center third does not work at all and the other third flashes intermittently like a strobe light (and without the cover on it hurts your eyes). Q1: Should this thing fail at all? If so Q2: why install such a user unfriendly element? I've used my camper for perhaps 7 full weeks of the 13 months since my purchase, and of course, I use the light itself for a few hours in the evening and morning of those days. Q3: Where does one get such a replacement circuit board? I guess I will have to dust off my never used in 25 years soldering iron to replace it.
I would contact Reace at ETI; you are still under warranty.
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Old 06-06-2018, 03:04 PM   #5
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Call Escape, your trailer is under warranty, I’m sure they will be more than happy to send you a new one. We had one go and they replaced it.
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Old 06-06-2018, 06:07 PM   #6
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There have now been several reports of the new lights failing, partially lighting or flickering. Definitely contact Escape to arrange a replacement. This is one of those "improvements" that looks like it turned out to not be such an improvement after all. The LEDs on our 2015 have worked perfectly since day one, and the bulbs are replaceable.
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Old 06-06-2018, 07:16 PM   #7
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Cheap LED’s that can’t be easily replaced are a bad combination. Call Escape and just replace the whole light.
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Old 06-06-2018, 07:42 PM   #8
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Not that it helps any but I had the local electric company in last week to do an energy audit to qualify for some rebates. Part of the audit is replace all incandescents with LEDS, 30 - 40 of them. The package says they are good for 22 years, had 3 go bad already. Glad they were free.
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Old 06-07-2018, 07:48 AM   #9
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The only replacement I could find was this pack of 4 for $28 at Amazon:
Lava99 4X T10/921/194 RV Camper Trailer 12V LED Interior Light Bulbs 18 SMD Cool White

It's a colder light than the original but it works.
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Old 06-07-2018, 07:51 AM   #10
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BTW, unless the design of the fixture has changed, the existing LED array can be removed by removing the outboard screw and then pulling the board out laterally. Reverse to install a new board.
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Old 06-07-2018, 10:20 AM   #11
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Quote:
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The only replacement I could find was this pack of 4 for $28 at Amazon:
Lava99 4X T10/921/194 RV Camper Trailer 12V LED Interior Light Bulbs 18 SMD Cool White

It's a colder light than the original but it works.
Escape changed from fixtures with replaceable LEDs to a non replaceable unit for at least the 2017 builds (it may well be before that). Karen or Ken linked to the replacement fixture for the new unit in the third post in this thread.

The LED you refer to is for the older style fixture. It had its problems as well - the LED connection would oxidize & cause problems. The new one likes to go "Disco".
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Old 06-07-2018, 10:43 AM   #12
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Yes, we're talking about a different fixture Vella. Mine are like yours with replaceable LED cards, a mini wedge connection and a retention screw. The new ones are soldered in and the card is a long strip.
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Old 06-07-2018, 05:49 PM   #13
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Thanks to you both for clarifying.
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Old 06-09-2018, 04:01 PM   #14
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Now the one next to the air conditioner has gone disco. I emailed Escape since I cannot find the replacement for the bathroom light that has lost part of its LEDs to see if they warranty them. But I wonder if I should pull them and install something to lower the voltage a bit. I know LEDs are very sensitive to voltage and it is beginning to sound like these are being exposed to over voltage.
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Old 06-09-2018, 05:39 PM   #15
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I tested voltage at the light that failed. DC only after setting in the yard 2 days 12.78 V. Initial voltage after EMS kicks in 13.68 V. After it settles down 13.70 V and when the DC disconnect is open it stays at 13.70 V.
I did a search for Facon and found it is called Facon Bright and is a subsidiary of a Chinese company called Wayspride.

Specs on the unit are


12V DC
Double - Low Profile Construction w/Frosted Lens Cover,
6W SMD LED 470LM,
FCC Approved Dimmable Driver,
ON/OFF Switch,
Size: L 9.25” X W 3.74” X E 1.6”

DDS01-008 | 12V RV Lighting | Products | WaysPride China Ltd


I emailed the company and asked them if there is an issue if the voltage is higher than 12v for their lights.
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Old 06-09-2018, 06:05 PM   #16
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I'm confused, the EMS and 12v are mutually exclusive systems, do you mean when the converter kicks in?
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Old 06-09-2018, 06:31 PM   #17
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I'm confused, the EMS and 12v are mutually exclusive systems, do you mean when the converter kicks in?
When the EMS kicked in and the power went on. I sat there for what seemed like forever waiting .
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Old 06-10-2018, 12:24 PM   #18
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Got a reply back, they said they were good for 12v wiring. So I did not get an answer if they were good for more than 12v. If it happens again I guess I'll see what other lights are out there.
Or open up a Rave or Disco joint
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Old 06-10-2018, 01:06 PM   #19
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Got a reply back, they said they were good for 12v wiring. So I did not get an answer if they were good for more than 12v. If it happens again I guess I'll see what other lights are out there.
Or open up a Rave or Disco joint
Products designed for use on a 12V system, will also handle the charge voltages these systems see, and are usually fine for up to 12V and beyond. At least most certainly do.
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Old 06-10-2018, 01:23 PM   #20
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The LED light fixture choice was a disappointment when we picked up the trailer and discovered they weren’t an industry standard push base. We’ve always figured that we’ll use them until they cause an issue and replace the entire light fixture with something that has the push base with easily changed bulbs where one can also select the color temperature they want in each individual fixture.
You can order an entire fixture including standard push base led bulb for not much more than a bulb replacement.
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