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Old 04-25-2016, 10:52 PM   #1
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Bug light

The outside light on my 13 has a teeny, 'automotive' bulb so I can't stop attracting bugs by changing to yellow bulb. Any ideas?
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Old 04-25-2016, 11:16 PM   #2
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Amber lens cover?

Or paint the bulb with yellow (orange) glass paint?
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Old 04-25-2016, 11:38 PM   #3
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I installed a yellow bulb in the fixture next to the door.
It was so dim I couldn't see the step, but the insects could see the light.
I swapped it out for white at a rally many years ago.
Haven't noticed any difference in the number of insects.
I think they are much more attracted by chemical odor.
Best to stop breathing.
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Old 04-26-2016, 12:08 AM   #4
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The outside light on my 13 has a teeny, 'automotive' bulb so I can't stop attracting bugs by changing to yellow bulb. Any ideas?
Which style of automotive bulb? There are hundreds. If you can post a photo or a bulb reference number, we might be able to find an amber version; there are amber versions of many bulbs.
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Old 04-26-2016, 05:30 AM   #5
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Amber lens cover?
Sold at Camping World or most RV parts stores for $6 or $7. Unlike a bulb, it won't burn out.

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Which style of automotive bulb? There are hundreds. If you can post a photo or a bulb reference number, we might be able to find an amber version; there are amber versions of many bulbs.
Both suggestions above are good. Or you could take the bulb currently installed to your local auto parts store (Auto Zone, O'Reilly's, Discount Auto Parts) and they could probably sell you exactly what you need. However, keep in mind that having amber light does not "discourage" all bugs entirely.
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Old 04-26-2016, 06:53 AM   #6
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Why do folks say the yellow lights don't cut down the number of bugs attracted to it? everything I find on line says the opposite. Something about "more" bugs are attracted to white light wavelength then yellow.
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Old 04-26-2016, 07:01 AM   #7
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Would bugs being attracted to a light not be a good thing? It would keep them from being attracted to me.

Seeing we use the porch light almost exclusively for task lighting when dark, and most camping is done during days with more daylight, our light gets very little use. Still, nice to have it though.
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Old 04-26-2016, 07:17 AM   #8
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It would be a good thing as long as the light is not 3" from the door.

Personally we rarely use the light, more for just coming and going, like a run to the head or taking out the dog. We prefer a candle or a fire when sitting around.
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Old 04-26-2016, 07:19 AM   #9
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I believe if you also switch to LED yellow bulbs, the fact there is no heat will also keep the bugs to a minimum.
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Old 04-26-2016, 07:22 AM   #10
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Yellow light lens

If you go to Little House Customs dot com store they sell a replacement yellow lens for Bargeman lights. And a whole bunch of other neat stuff for reasonable prices. Larry and Debbie make it to a lot of the rallys. Nice folks.
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Old 04-26-2016, 07:37 AM   #11
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Bug light

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jean View Post
The outside light on my 13 has a teeny, 'automotive' bulb so I can't stop attracting bugs by changing to yellow bulb. Any ideas?
Hi: Jean... I'd probably change it to a "Bud light". If you have enough of them the insects wouldn't bug you!!! LoL
I did however replace the lens beside the door with an amber one. Nice thing about the 5.0TA is having an exterior fixture above the pin box to attract the bugs away from the door. Alf
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Old 04-26-2016, 08:36 AM   #12
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What a helpful community, Thanks guys
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Old 04-26-2016, 09:23 AM   #13
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However, keep in mind that having amber light does not "discourage" all bugs entirely.
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Why do folks say the yellow lights don't cut down the number of bugs attracted to it? everything I find on line says the opposite. Something about "more" bugs are attracted to white light wavelength then yellow.
If you are refering to my post, then you did not tead it carefully. Yellow lights reduce the number of insect species that light will attract, but will not eliminate bugs entirely. Mosquitoes, for example, are attracted by carbon dioxide among other things.
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Old 04-26-2016, 11:38 AM   #14
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If you are refering to my post, then you did not tead it carefully. Yellow lights reduce the number of insect species that light will attract, but will not eliminate bugs entirely. Mosquitoes, for example, are attracted by carbon dioxide among other things.
Nope, you and the "experts" out in cyber space are saying the same thing. Although I do tend to not read carefully.

By the way, for folks getting new trailers. When I ordered mine, what now feels like a long time ago, ETI would install an amber lens by the door if asked.
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Old 04-26-2016, 03:25 PM   #15
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Oh, I thought you were talking about Bud light.
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Old 04-26-2016, 09:30 PM   #16
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The outside light on my 13 has a teeny, 'automotive' bulb ...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bobnjudy View Post
If you go to Little House Customs dot com store they sell a replacement yellow lens for Bargeman lights.
I was wondering if Jean has an oddball lamp using a small bulb, but if it really is the ubiquitous Barman #78, it probably uses an 1156 or 1141 bulb - I have four of these lamps on two RVs and they all use those bulbs. These two types have identical bases (BA15s, which is a 15 mm diameter single-contact bayonet) so they are interchangeable; however, the 1156 is much higher power (about 28 watts versus 18 watts for the 1141). RVs usually use the 1141 for both interior and exterior applications, and one needs to be cautious about putting in the 1156 because some lamps can't handle the extra heat (you can melt the plastic).

That's not small - that's one of the largest automotive bulbs you can get. They are very common in "yellow" (actually amber), because many vehicles have used this style of bulb in front (and some rear) turn signals with a clear lens, so the bulb has to be yellow. The common amber bulb of this size would be the 1156NA ("NA" means "natural amber" in auto bulbs), so that's what you would look for in an auto parts store.

These are available in LED, which solves the heat problem - LEDs still produce heat, but much less. For example, at SuperBrightLEDs:
1156 LED Bulb - 27 SMD LED Tower - BA15S Retrofit - Amber

If I don't have the right lamp, and it really has some other "teeny" bulb, of course all of this 1141/1156 stuff doesn't apply.
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Old 04-26-2016, 11:32 PM   #17
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Solved with your help!

I got an Amber bulb from automotive paths store. Sounds like it will help somewhat. They did have LED option, but had to rewire fixture. THANK YOU ALL
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