Community Forums

dennis45 · 09-01-2017, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsurette

In my opinion, M4 is the way to go. I replaced all of mine with M4 LEDs and couldn't be happier.

X2 with M4. Not all LEDs are equal. These folks are not the cheapest on the block but they sell an excellent product and great customer service.

NMBluept · 09-01-2017, 05:14 PM

I replaced 24 halogen bulbs (G4 base), a hand full of the reading light bulbs (elevator bulbs), a couple of outside light fixture bulbs and the compartment light bulbs in our coach. The PO had already installed LED bulbs in the vanity fixture. All of the bulbs were purchased off of eBay. I learned a couple of things in the process: make sure the bulbs are rated for 12-24V, if not they will quickly start flickering and quit. Apparently the drivers for LED chips on 12v bulbs cannot handle anything greater than 12V like the 13+ V in an RV. If a bulb doesn't work it is plugged in backwards - flip it 180 and it will work (they are diodes). A side note: the surface mount LED chips for almost every bulb you buy will have been manufactured in China (not many US semi-conductor manufacturers want to bother with LED's). The bulbs may be assembled in other countries (maybe even USA), but LED chips likely come from China. Rather than pay the middle man I decided to just go with the Chinese suppliers on eBay ( I know that's un-American but it is what it is). Many of the bulbs are now over 2 years old and look great.

Adamsta · 09-01-2017, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NMBluept

I replaced 24 halogen bulbs (G4 base), a hand full of the reading light bulbs (elevator bulbs), a couple of outside light fixture bulbs and the compartment light bulbs in our coach. The PO had already installed LED bulbs in the vanity fixture. All of the bulbs were purchased off of eBay. I learned a couple of things in the process: make sure the bulbs are rated for 12-24V, if not they will quickly start flickering and quit. Apparently the drivers for LED chips on 12v bulbs cannot handle anything greater than 12V like the 13+ V in an RV. If a bulb doesn't work it is plugged in backwards - flip it 180 and it will work (they are diodes). A side note: the surface mount LED chips for almost every bulb you buy will have been manufactured in China (not many US semi-conductor manufacturers want to bother with LED's). The bulbs may be assembled in other countries (maybe even USA), but LED chips likely come from China. Rather than pay the middle man I decided to just go with the Chinese suppliers on eBay ( I know that's un-American but it is what it is). Many of the bulbs are now over 2 years old and look great.

Good advice here....

dennis45 · 09-01-2017, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adamsta

Good advice here....

The product from M4 are not polarity sensitive. They work either way. Also, they fit the halogen fixtures without any mods or problems which a lot of them do not.
Also, if you have any issues, like ordering the wrong one, or have one fail, they stand behind it.

Biggp · 09-01-2017, 10:52 PM

Suggestion... I would encourage you to view a helpful video on YouTube/RV Geeks and M4... Very informative

ru499 · 09-03-2017, 06:21 PM

We bought from M-4. Good company.

TbearKline · 09-05-2017, 08:39 PM

I bought from Amazon and ran into problems with TV interference. Basically cheap LED bulbs are cheap for a reason. If they are not FCC certified beware they will likely interfere with Broadcast TV. I found the interference is usually when watching a weak (distant) channel, Turn off LEDs and the channel will come right in. I'm in process of replacing the cheap bulbs with certified ones.

Has anyone else noticed this problem?

NMBluept · 09-06-2017, 03:34 PM

I have noticed some interference with weaker signals. For us it seems to be caused only by the "lounge" lights (closest to the antenna??). So if there is a problem there are other lights or maybe a good time to turn off the idiot box. It hasn't been enough of a bother to consider buying more bulbs, I will try moving them around first.

4x4van · 09-06-2017, 04:59 PM

Typically, RFI interference comes from LEDs with the built in current limiting circuitry. The really cheap ones don't have that circuitry and don't interfere.

I just recently converted my second motorhome to all LED. First one I did about 3-4 years ago, using all cheap Amazon/eBay LEDs; over 25 bulbs averaging about $3 each. When I sold the RV last year, not a single one had failed nor degraded. My current RV got pretty much the same treatment; over 35 bulbs, all from Amazon/eBay, averaged less than $3 each.

Keep in mind, I didn't just purchase the cheapest ones I could find. I searched, I researched, I read reviews...then I bought a couple of each to try...then bought the ones I liked. With the sheer number of bulbs/fixtures in an RV, I have no desire to pay $15 for bulbs that I can get for $3. TEHO.