NEW KITCHEN AND ENTRY LIGHTS INSTALLED

[jackel1959]

We finally got our rig back from the shop on Friday after it being there nearly 6 weeks for warranty repairs, but thats another story. But even before it went to the shop we had been thinking about how to upgrade the lighting in the kitchen. It seemed dark and in need of more lumens. Then we saw that Montana had started putting pendant lights over the kitchen island in our model (3455SA) and some others. So while the rig was in the shop we started looking for fixtures. I could not find anything that we really liked so I called Keystone to ask them about the fixtures they are putting in the rigs now. I got the manufacturer's name, Gustafson, but they don't sell on their website. I started looking on e-bay and found 5 pendants that are the same as what Keystone is putting in now. I could only find 5 and bought all of them at $16 each plus shipping. We also wanted to put a nicer looking fixture at the entry door so I found one that was similar in finish to the pendants and ordered it for $25. The glass shades were different so I took the shades from the 2 left over pendants and swapped them out. Below are some before and after pictures of the installation. We think it turned out nice, provides more light and looks nicer. Now as long as the lights don't fall out of the ceiling while going down the road everything will be great The entire project from start to finish was about 3 hours. The next project is installing the fireplace which is on order and should arrive next week.

Gustafson is now selling their products online. Here is a link to their website: Gustafson Lighting

Here is the before picture with the stock lighting fixtures.



First light removed. They are only held up by 4 screws. I used white latex caulking to fill the screw holes. This worked well and you really have to look hard to see the patch.



We used this type of hollow wall anchor to hang the lights and put a dab of caulking on them to keep them from loosening and backing out.



Anchors installed in ceiling. Note the nice hole in the ceiling for the wires from the factory install.



First new fixture wired up and ready to install. We added an additional fixture which is what the other wires hanging down are for. The Hardest part of the install was fishing those wires.



This is the fixture we put at the entry door.



Here are all of the fixtures installed and working.

[WaltandLynne]

Looks really nice! Congrats on a job well done.

[NCFischers]

Nice job but be careful. Those anchors are not designed for ceilings, only walls. The trailer movement may cause them to come loose. Just a word of caution.

[PapaBeav]

quote:Originally posted by NCFischers

Nice job but be careful. Those anchors are not designed for ceilings, only walls. The trailer movement may cause them to come loose. Just a word of caution.

That is exactly what I was thinking, let us know how they hold up Jack.

[Ozz]

Very nice looking lighting.

[Wild Horse]

Yes, very nice lighting....however, I too am concerned about those anchors.

I don't wish to be critical of anyone's work, but if I might suggest at the very least sliding a pair of small boards up inside, then anchoring to those using short wood screws. (slide boards in, then anchor the boards themselves first with a pair of wood screws...not too long !) You can even open up those holes a tad, and be sure to use light wood...poplar,ash,etc...heck, even 1/2" mdf. This would give you much better weight distribution. I'd be watching for any ceiling bowing to begin too, but maybe you're close to a support. Again, certainly not trying to be critical, just trying to be helpful.

I just finished changing out all of my lights as well...will post pics sometime when I've a chance.
Bill

[ARJ]

I have to agree with the idea of slipping a piece of wood into the hole. If it were me, I would use 1/2" ply and span both holes with the same piece of wood, long as possible to give more support to the fixtures. Then screw the wood to the ceiling and mount the fixtures. You can drill a small hole in the wood and put a string in it so it doesn't get lost in the ceiling when you are doing this.

[jackel1959]

Thanks for the concerns, inputs and suggestions. I spent some time today putting the wood strips in the ceiling and then screwing the light fixtures to those. The strips I used were of 1/2" thick plywood, 2" wide and 9" long. I hadn't thought of doing that before and I think it will work better and hold up better than the anchors too. That's what I love about this forum....there are always some good and practical ideas out there. Thanks.
Jack

[Mudchief]

Nice looking job.

[NCFischers]

Jack,
We just didn't want you to find those great looing lights hanging by wires or broken on the floor after you took your first trip.
Jim

[SlickWillie]

You guys are on top of things!

[slewis]

Beautiful job.
Sandy

[Wayne and Carolyn Mathews]

Those new lights really look nice! What a difference your work made.

Carolyn

[jackel1959]

quote:Originally posted by NCFischers

Jack,
We just didn't want you to find those great looing lights hanging by wires or broken on the floor after you took your first trip.
Jim

Believe me when I say we had the same concern. I feel much better about this setup.
Jack

[footloose]

What a great improvement. Thanks especially for the pictures. They are always a benefit for understanding a project. Enjoy!
Dick and Sharon

[DHenry]

The improvements look terrific. Great job guys.

[WorkerB]

Looking Good!

[JimnJulie]

Great looking job and cudos for the pictures. This is something we have been kicking around and with all the info I believe we will "just do it" Thanks

[MelsJoy]

Jack,
Wow those lights really do look great! Mel & I have been complaining about our existing lights in our Kitchen area for like forever, You have the perfect solution! Now I've got to find them and have Mel put em up! Thanks for sharing! Take Care

Joy

[Tko]

Very nice! My list of Mods "to do" keeps growing.