How to Remove RV Interior Light Covers: Step-By-Step

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The light fixtures in RVs have covers to protect them from damage, making the interior more alluring. And while new ones use LED lights that last for years, eventually, all RV owners end up Googling how to remove RV interior light covers.

Here’s how to remove the light from the ceiling and change the light:

  1. Turn off power to the light you are changing by flipping the light switch
  2. Remove the light cover. Most can simply be pulled down from the ceiling with fingers
  3. If it had been on, allow the bulb to cool 5 minutes before touching (unless it is an LED which will not be hot)
  4. Remove the screws
  5. Remove the plastic tubes
  6. Disconnect and rewire
  7. Push the wires up the opening and push the cover back on

Don’t worry. We’ll get into the details of each step down below.

First off, have the necessary materials ready. You’ll need a flathead screwdriver, plier, and a stepladder. You may want to wear gloves if the bulbs are incandescent as they will be hot if the light had been on. Of course, if you’re changing a burned-out bulb this will be a non-issue unless you saw the bulb burn out.

But, before you begin, flip the light switch off.

The simplest way is to just flip the light switch of the light you want to replace to cut power. That way, you can keep other surrounding lights on for better visibility. But you can also cut the main power disconnect switch, which kills all power in the RV.

In this short article, we’ll check out the steps required to repair an RV’s LED Puck Light when the diodes have gone out. LED Puck lights are the most common type of lights in modern RVs.

We’ll also explore fixtures that are used in older RVs and how to change older incandescent light bulbs to LEDs.

Let’s dive right in.

remove rv light covers lg

Step1: Remove the light cover

You can remove the cover by twisting it counter-clockwise. It comes off when you do.

Step 2: Remove the screws

Use a screwdriver to remove the screws if it’s the type that’s got screws holding the fixture in place to the ceiling. Once the screws are out, just give it a little tug, and it should come right down.

There are two other types. One has pressure clips that hold it to the ceiling, while the other is a spring latch, you simply pull it down firmly, and it will come out.

Step 3: Remove the plastic tubes

You’ll see a puck of LEDs. The individual LEDs can’t be removed, but you can buy a replacement puck on Amazon.

It’s got two wires, covered partly with what looks like a small plastic tube. Simply use the plier to pull off the plastic tube. Keep the tube, as you’ll need it again in a minute.

Step 4: Disconnect and rewire

Disconnect the old line of wires.

It’s simple. Just “untwist” the wires on both lines, and then attach the wires of the new puck of LEDs. The white line is reattached to the white line on top, and the black line is reattached to the brown line on top.

Then put the plastic tubes back on to cover where the wires have been joined together. Once you have put in the wires inside the tubes, squeeze them with a plier to keep them in place.

Tug at each one to ensure the wires are firmly in place.

Step 5: Push the wires up the opening and screw on the puck

Gently push the wires up into the opening from which you removed them. Use a screwdriver to put the screws back on the puck. Finally, twist and press the cover in place.

That’s it. It’s super-easy.

Now, let’s check out how to switch older incandescent light bulbs for LEDs

It’s as simple as pulling out the incandescent light bulbs and plugging in the LEDs. That’s it? Yes, that is it. There are no tools or steps required.

But why would you want to replace them? LEDs are more energy-efficient, longer-lasting, and generate less heat. It’s estimated that they last 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs.

But what do you do if the outlets in your RV won’t work?

In a recent article of mine, I explained that a tripped GFCI outlet or the power inverter being off when not connected to shore or generator power are the main reasons why.

Do RV outlets work on battery power, how do you fix an RV outlet, and why RV GFCI electrical outlets keep tripping are some of the other issues I addressed.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Conclusion

We learned that LED Puck lights are the most common type of lights in modern RVs.

We looked at the steps required to repair an RV’s LED Puck Light when the diodes have gone out. We also checked out how to switch older incandescent light bulbs to LEDs.

And, I shared a link to a recent article on what to do if the outlets in your RV won’t work.

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