Alternative Lighting under Range Hood. Switch broken and too hard to fix.

[slackmax]

Hi,

The switch to the light broke on my range hood, above the stove. It looks light a major ordeal even to get to the switch, not to mention get a tool on it to replace it.

This is the light that shines down on the stove top I am talking about.

I put a short lamp on the counter next to the stovetop, and that worked pretty well, but I worry about some liquid hitting the bulb and exploding it, lol. I don't want to ruin a lampshade there, either.

I was thinking about buying some sort of waterproof vertical LED light bar I could place on the counter, or some LED tape I could stick under the range hood.

I have seen some interesting options out on Amazon.com and EBay.  Am going to go to Lowe's and Home Depot too.

Can someone recommend any websites devoted to this kind of lighting?     
Any other advice welcome, too.

Thanks

[lthenderson]

What are you going to do for wire management for your new light bar/tape? Have you priced out a new range hood? Depending if you have ductless, ducted, undercabinet, through the ceiling, etc., I can find basic ductless undercabinet ones online for less than $70. If it is ducted through the ceiling, then I might pursue other options.

I have a box of simple toggle switches that I have used from time to time to replace bad switches that can't be replaced. I just drill a hole nearby, pull the wires through from the old switch and wire it up and pop it into place.

[Dicey]

How about a simple LED puck light? I hate the idea of a lamp on a counter [shudder].

[GuitarStv]

How about a simple LED puck light? I hate the idea of a lamp on a counter [shudder].

+1

This is the first thing I thought.  It would be simple to install and work pretty much the same way as your range light.

[Sibley]

Do you need additional lighting? I don't have it, I have an overhead light. Try putting brighter bulbs in.

[GuitarStv]

Do you need additional lighting? I don't have it, I have an overhead light. Try putting brighter bulbs in.

Typically stoves are against the wall and overhead lights are in the center of the room.  This means that your body will usually shade the stove top while cooking, regardless of how bright your bulbs are.

[Miss Piggy]

Could something like this work (and be somewhat hidden)? I see these near the cash registers at stores like Lowes and Menards. I bought one once (can't recall why) and I recall thinking it put out a good amount of light.

https://www.amazon.com/Kasonic-Cordless-Stairwell-Included-Operated/dp/B071W2JYDN/ref=sr_1_10?crid=1FOAWQ030WLDV&keywords=switch%2Blight&qid=1694455002&sprefix=switch%2Blight%2Caps%2C109&sr=8-10&th=1

[slackmax]

Could something like this work (and be somewhat hidden)? I see these near the cash registers at stores like Lowes and Menards. I bought one once (can't recall why) and I recall thinking it put out a good amount of light.

https://www.amazon.com/Kasonic-Cordless-Stairwell-Included-Operated/dp/B071W2JYDN/ref=sr_1_10?crid=1FOAWQ030WLDV&keywords=switch%2Blight&qid=1694455002&sprefix=switch%2Blight%2Caps%2C109&sr=8-10&th=1

Yes, that looks good. Either that, or the puck lights. I just wonder how long the batteries last.  Thanks, everyone, for the ideas. Will look at Lowes and HD tomorrow. Maybe Walmart.

[sonofsven]

I would remove the range hood and repair or replace the switch.
If that isn't possible I would replace the range hood.
If you aren't handy at all, maybe look for a magnetic led light and hope it doesn't fall in the bacon.

There's four screws/bolts that hold the range hood to the bottom of the cabinet. They are not that hard to remove.

Turn off the breaker.
Remove the greasy filter (eww!).
Undo the wiring (wire nuts), usually there's a small cover on the bottom containing the wiring.
Remove the ventilation duct, if necessary.
Undo the four mounting bolts.
Cover the stove with a blanket in case you drop it.

Once you've fixed it, clean it with de-greaser, paint it rainbow colors (optional), and re-install.

[slackmax]

Here are some pics of the hood and light switch in question.

[slackmax]

Only one pic at a time, for some reason.   

[slackmax]

hood 2. Technical difficulties. More pics later.

[slackmax]

I would remove the range hood and repair or replace the switch.
If that isn't possible I would replace the range hood.
If you aren't handy at all, maybe look for a magnetic led light and hope it doesn't fall in the bacon.

There's four screws/bolts that hold the range hood to the bottom of the cabinet. They are not that hard to remove.

Turn off the breaker.
Remove the greasy filter (eww!).
Undo the wiring (wire nuts), usually there's a small cover on the bottom containing the wiring.
Remove the ventilation duct, if necessary.
Undo the four mounting bolts.
Cover the stove with a blanket in case you drop it.

Once you've fixed it, clean it with de-greaser, paint it rainbow colors (optional), and re-install.

Sonofsven, do you see an easy way out here, ha ha ? 

I did find a corner panel inside, behind the switches, that is removable. Kind of awkward, but might get access to switch from there. Also, might try removing fan, and getting a forearm in, to get to the switch from behind. 

Did they make these ranges with replacing switches in mind ?

Don't want to remove whole hood, if avoidable.

Thanks

[nereo]

Often those switch panels pop out with a splunger and are very easy/cheap to replace. Since the switch Israeli is dead you need not worry about damaging it by prying or drilling it out. You can fabricate a new rectangular plate or buy a replacement switch with a slightly larger plate and either rivit or epoxy in place.

As always, Google the model number to see if you can get the exploding diagram or (if you are lucky) a YouTube video where someone has replaced that switch on that model.

ETA: it looks like the base of the two switches is a retaining nut. Remove that before prying off (and of course unplug or disconnect the breaker first)

[sonofsven]

I would remove the range hood and repair or replace the switch.
If that isn't possible I would replace the range hood.
If you aren't handy at all, maybe look for a magnetic led light and hope it doesn't fall in the bacon.

There's four screws/bolts that hold the range hood to the bottom of the cabinet. They are not that hard to remove.

Turn off the breaker.
Remove the greasy filter (eww!).
Undo the wiring (wire nuts), usually there's a small cover on the bottom containing the wiring.
Remove the ventilation duct, if necessary.
Undo the four mounting bolts.
Cover the stove with a blanket in case you drop it.

Once you've fixed it, clean it with de-greaser, paint it rainbow colors (optional), and re-install.

Sonofsven, do you see an easy way out here, ha ha ? 

I did find a corner panel inside, behind the switches, that is removable. Kind of awkward, but might get access to switch from there. Also, might try removing fan, and getting a forearm in, to get to the switch from behind. 

Did they make these ranges with replacing switches in mind ?

Don't want to remove whole hood, if avoidable.

Thanks

Yes, take that triangle-ish cover plate off the bottom.
On the switches, unscrew the knurled rings, and push the switch (or switches) through the hole; they should be accessible under that cover plate
Take note of the wiring and take the switch to a good hardware store and get a new one. Not Home Depot.
I also find parts like nereo said, by finding any type of number and doing an internet search with the keywords switch or rangehood, but I think that one would be readily available in a hardware store.

[BC_Goldman]

Hardware stores are great! We were doing some plumbing work and started having leaks on the cutoff valves. Plumbing store said we would have to install new valves. Stopped at the hardware store and easily found replacement seals for the valves.

[slackmax]

I would remove the range hood and repair or replace the switch.
If that isn't possible I would replace the range hood.
If you aren't handy at all, maybe look for a magnetic led light and hope it doesn't fall in the bacon.

There's four screws/bolts that hold the range hood to the bottom of the cabinet. They are not that hard to remove.

Turn off the breaker.
Remove the greasy filter (eww!).
Undo the wiring (wire nuts), usually there's a small cover on the bottom containing the wiring.
Remove the ventilation duct, if necessary.
Undo the four mounting bolts.
Cover the stove with a blanket in case you drop it.

Once you've fixed it, clean it with de-greaser, paint it rainbow colors (optional), and re-install.

Sonofsven, do you see an easy way out here, ha ha ? 

I did find a corner panel inside, behind the switches, that is removable. Kind of awkward, but might get access to switch from there. Also, might try removing fan, and getting a forearm in, to get to the switch from behind. 

Did they make these ranges with replacing switches in mind ?

Don't want to remove whole hood, if avoidable.

Thanks

Yes, take that triangle-ish cover plate off the bottom.
On the switches, unscrew the knurled rings, and push the switch (or switches) through the hole; they should be accessible under that cover plate
Take note of the wiring and take the switch to a good hardware store and get a new one. Not Home Depot.
I also find parts like nereo said, by finding any type of number and doing an internet search with the keywords switch or rangehood, but I think that one would be readily available in a hardware store.

Thanks. That cover plate seems to be stuck on, maybe glued on. I have loosened the knurled ring on the light switch, and I can see the switch and its wiring wiggling back there.

My current thinking is to remove the fan motor and let it hang out of the way, as I reach up to access the switch, although I might have to take both switches out due to them being wired together somewhat.

Looks like the switch is stuffed into a white square plastic holder thing, and I would slide old switch out, remove wires, wire up new switch, slide new switch into the holder thing, then poke switch through the mounting hole, then tighten knurled ring back on.

Worried about breaking something during the process. Might be brittle plastic parts in there. Will use model number of range to search internet for switch part num, use switch number to find instructions, hopefully, in how to replace it.

I found some online stores that have the switch for $5 plus shipping = $12. Have had good luck ordering online. But maybe a hdw store would be $5 plus zero shipping.  Worth a try. And no waiting.

Thanks again

[lutorm]

That thing looks totally ancient, no grease filtration and I bet loud as ....? A nice, quiet range hood with good lighting is a significant quality of life upgrade to me, it makes cooking or just being in the kitchen while someone's cooking so much more pleasant. Coating the entire inside of the vent pipe with grease is also a fire hazard.

If you spend any significant amount of time cooking, consider whether a new one would be worth it.

[Just Joe]

Spent ~$150 on a new one yesterday as we are remodeling our kitchen right now. The final piece of the puzzle. The basic model was $100. The fancy versions were several hundred dollars.

[Just Joe]

https://www.amazon.com/Lighting-Wireless-Rechargeable-Wardrobe-Cupboard（Warm/dp/B08YXKR7ZT/