Henry, do not use a regular switch. Use a mercury switch, one that came with older thermostats. I used one of
thes in place of any other kind of switch, and set the angle so that the lights go off when the bed is still 10
to 12 inches from closing. I would not use the halogens as I agree they do get real hot. I used a pair of
regular bulbs and it works great. The switch on the regular lights can be disabled as you did.
al
> Hi folks!
>
> For those who called or wrote e-mail concerned about what's up -
>
> I'm in (today) sunny Pennsylvania with about 10000 other historical recreation folks ( middle ages).
>
> GMC is parked in the middle of a big field - and Irene and I are camping in a very large canvas pavillion.
> Other than having fun, I've been doing a few critical client jobs.
>
> The under bed storage has worked out great. BUT - A VERY BIG CAUTION
>
> I used small halogens intended to be enclosed in bookcases etc. DO NOT USE HALOGEN LIGHTS. They
> get too hot if enclosed and materials get too close.
>
> My storage area has an automatic switch that I have disabbled. The switch turned the storage lights off and
> on. Here's what happened:
>
> Irene and I visited Scott Nehoa on our way to Pa. I showed him the bed storage (looked great huh?). Then
> we went out for a nice dinner. When we got back, Irene noticed a smell. The lights did NOT turn off because
> some of the bedding had become trapped between the bed frame and the bed board. So, the switch never
> closed. Since the storage area was full, one light put out enough heat to melt a sleeping bag. We were
> close to having a fire, but caught it in time.
>
> So, consider this a fair warning regarding lights in enclosed spaces. I'm considering what to do about this
> problem (that I created). I'll let you know the answer later. Also, I'll post some pictures when we get back
> home in Spetember.
>
> Best,
>
> Henryu
>
thes in place of any other kind of switch, and set the angle so that the lights go off when the bed is still 10
to 12 inches from closing. I would not use the halogens as I agree they do get real hot. I used a pair of
regular bulbs and it works great. The switch on the regular lights can be disabled as you did.
al
> Hi folks!
>
> For those who called or wrote e-mail concerned about what's up -
>
> I'm in (today) sunny Pennsylvania with about 10000 other historical recreation folks ( middle ages).
>
> GMC is parked in the middle of a big field - and Irene and I are camping in a very large canvas pavillion.
> Other than having fun, I've been doing a few critical client jobs.
>
> The under bed storage has worked out great. BUT - A VERY BIG CAUTION
>
> I used small halogens intended to be enclosed in bookcases etc. DO NOT USE HALOGEN LIGHTS. They
> get too hot if enclosed and materials get too close.
>
> My storage area has an automatic switch that I have disabbled. The switch turned the storage lights off and
> on. Here's what happened:
>
> Irene and I visited Scott Nehoa on our way to Pa. I showed him the bed storage (looked great huh?). Then
> we went out for a nice dinner. When we got back, Irene noticed a smell. The lights did NOT turn off because
> some of the bedding had become trapped between the bed frame and the bed board. So, the switch never
> closed. Since the storage area was full, one light put out enough heat to melt a sleeping bag. We were
> close to having a fire, but caught it in time.
>
> So, consider this a fair warning regarding lights in enclosed spaces. I'm considering what to do about this
> problem (that I created). I'll let you know the answer later. Also, I'll post some pictures when we get back
> home in Spetember.
>
> Best,
>
> Henryu
>
