Replacing RV Lamps with LEDs

[LewF]

I thought I would start a new topic on LED lights, focused on what lights folks have used and in what applications. There is another thread discussing replacing the G4 halogen bulbs with LEDs but it is getting pretty long and focuses pretty much on that specific application.

Here is my experience so far with two applications (more to follow):

Frist the overhead halogen lights, the small round frosted glass covered ones. I am replacing those G4 bulbs with the following LED lights:

- Warm White 140 Lumen G4 Base 10 SMD LED Bulb, 1109WW sold by LEDwholesalers through Amazon.

Warm white produces a light that is close to the halogen light quality and not harsh white produced by some LEDs, those are usually labeled as bright white or simply white. Here is a picture of the light installed in the fixture.



These lights draw only about one tenth the power of the halogen and actually produce a bit more light. They will also dim on the system in our coach, which is a multiplex system that apparently varies the current pulse width and not the voltage. We are very satisfied with them and are replacing most of the halogen G4 bulbs in our coach with them.

Next the step lights:

I started with replacement saga when one of the 31mm festoon bulbs installed in the recessed light fixtures that lights the step wells we missing. The coach OM only lists the bulb as 90416, not very helpful. After much digging I determined it was a 31mm festoon form bulb, rated at 14v and 4w. I wanted to find an LED bulb to use and finally located one from Halo Automotive, sold by Amazon. It is "Halo Automotive White Super LED 31mm Wedge Bulb - Twin Pack" Here is a picture of the LED light and the one remaining OEM bulb I have.



You have to do a little bending of the existing receptacle clips, they are like the clips for some fuse holders, but the new bulb fits and provides lots of light for the step well.

I know there are lots of LED replacement lights out there based on my research and also know that without careful study before buying them one could make an expensive mistake. I learned a huge amount from this forum and it guided me for my first purchase so I hope this thread will be helpful to others. Cutting the 12v lighting power requirements by a significant amount will be helpful to many of us.

Anyone with experience with replacements for the 12v florescent tube might want to post information on these lights.

Thanks to all for the help I have received here and hopefully this will help someone with their transition, or not, to LED lights.

Lew

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LewF Anyone with experience with replacements for the 12v florescent tube might want to post information on these lights.

Lew, Give Ralph Kinzer a call. I know he sells replacement kits for OE fluorescent 12v fixtures.

Kinzer Enterprises
Ralph Kinzer
PMB 8100, P.O. Box 2428, Pensacola, FL32513
(602) 738-6231

Ralph was invited to participate as a vendor at on of the rallies that I hosted. I see him all the time at various rallies in the vendor spaces. he's good guy. I've seen the 12V fixtures that he shows in his display with rows of LED lighting inside the fixture. You have to modify the fixture case by removing the bulb clips and stuff like that to make room for the LED stuff.

[dmason]

Don't have my coach close to check but I believe my overhead halogen lights have a push and twist method of installing/connection. The ones shown here have what appears to be a two pin connection. What type of modification is required to make the two pin connection fit into the existing push and twist type connection socket? Thanks.

[LewF]

The bulbs in the fixtures on our coach have two holes that the two connection pins push into. That is also the way the halogen bulbs install. If your bulbs turn to be installed then probably some other solution/light will have to be used. Sorry, I am only familiar with the light fixtures on our coach, which appear to be like they are similar to those found on most late model coaches that use G4 halogen bulbs.

Lew

[INSPECTORBOB]

I got tired of tracking down festoon bulbs, and found these complete LED fixtures for about the same price as the bulb!

Bob

[Ed_G]

Quote:

Originally Posted by INSPECTORBOB I got tired of tracking down festoon bulbs, and found these complete LED fixtures for about the same price as the bulb! Bob

Bob, those LED substitutes for festoon bulbs are getting easier and easier to find. Here is the source I use for all LED replacements in my Trek. Browse around for the various types you might need. This link will take you to their festoon bulb page. Festoon 1210 SMT 1 and 3/4 Inches or 41 mm - Automotive LED Lights - LEDLight