Community Forums

first5thwheel · 02-29-2012, 06:46 PM

I tried to check other forums for a thread on this. Was wondering if any of you have swaped out your 12 Volt bulbs for the new LED type.

Did you see a world of difference? Asking for any Pros/Cons?

They seem pretty expensive. The RV dealer near me is selling them for $24 and I think the wattage was 20 watts.

What are the chances they last compared to price you pay?

I can pick up a case for the old incandecents for $1 a bulb on the net. It seems like I am getting anywhere from a year to maybe 2 years on the regualr type. The new ones I think have a 7 year life.

Even if I paid $2.00 per bulb on the old ones and replaced it every year I am only talking $14.00 total over the time span. Not sure which is the better way to go? I guess the brightness must really be the difference, but then again I have never used the LED's so if you have tell me all about it.

My eyesight is not what it use to be so I am always looking for brighter lighting.

If any of you have a suggestion where to pick these puppies up for the best bargan price, I am all ears....

OR

Should I not waste my time. Fill me in....

Thanks.

wingnut60 · 02-29-2012, 07:38 PM

I have replaced almost all of my incandescents with LEDs and will never go back, no matter how much cheaper it would be. We really like the puck light replacements.
However, because of the expense involved, you should buy only one or two and try them out. There are also shades of white to be aware of...
Lots of places on the internet to buy for much less cost than than an RV supply house. www.superbrightleds.com is one.
Joe

Rob_Fla · 02-29-2012, 08:11 PM

Same here, we also have replaced most of our bulbs with LEDs and are very pleased.
The LEDs run much cooler and provide good light.

first5thwheel · 02-29-2012, 08:23 PM

Thank you. I will research the link and thanks to both of you for a speedy reply.

Terry Jay · 02-29-2012, 09:38 PM

Is not the big point of the LED to lower electrical demand and allow longer boondocking?

Mr_D · 02-29-2012, 09:46 PM

I've tried to go to the LED's but my wife hates the light color of them and complains so back to the old power hogs! I even tried leaving three regular bulbs in and only replacing one. Still no go!!!

texnet · 02-29-2012, 09:46 PM

Here is an older discussion.. http://www.irv2.com/forums/f84/led-r...bs-110329.html

And another.. http://www.irv2.com/forums/f101/inte...nt-114826.html

texnet · 02-29-2012, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_D

I've tried to go to the LED's but my wife hates the light color of them and complains so back to the old power hogs! I even tried leaving three regular bulbs in and only replacing one. Still no go!!!

You can please her and you by finding LEDS that have the same color.

3000-3500k will give you what you probably have now.

6000-6500k will give you a daylight color.

I used a combination of both to give us what we want. The 3000-3500k are in the bedroom. The daylight ones are in the reading areas.

Arch Hoagland · 02-29-2012, 09:52 PM

I tried the LED brake and tail lights.

Wouldn't work unless I added a resistor into the circuit.

Decided against them as that would be just one more point of failure.

ChallengerRV · 02-29-2012, 10:24 PM

I have begun the process of replacing all of my lights with LED's.

Pros: No Heat, Less power consumption, Bright white light.

Cons: Much higher cost, Bright white light

I put the bright white light as both a pro and a con. The light output seems less with the LED because of the different color of light but it is usually really close to the incandescent bulb. It is not a warm yellow of a standard bulb. We like the color and find it easy on the eyes and good to read by. Others would disagree. It boils down to a personal choice that only you can make.

We dry camp a lot and I have found that my batteries last much longer with the LED's. As for the cost, shop around. I have seen 1141 bulbs as high as $24 each and as low a $10 a pair. I suspect that all are made in China and are the same bulbs. I have one that I paid $15 from a "RV Supply Store" and a pair that I paid $10 including shipping from China. I put them all on the table and could not tell them apart. They worked exactly the same in the light fixture and I have not had a performance problem yet. So buyer beware and shop around if you can get them a little cheaper then 2 for 1 you can afford to have acouple of spares in case one doesn't last as long.

oldbeek · 02-29-2012, 11:43 PM

I posted in ( Boondocking) Title, LED that I like. Not expensive white color. Bought on E-Bay

first5thwheel · 02-29-2012, 11:54 PM

Okay I am going to try the ones I can find on ebay. I will try a few, see how they go and if I have good success I will swap out the rest. Thanks for the advice all.

SCVJeff · 03-01-2012, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_D

I've tried to go to the LED's but my wife hates the light color of them and complains so back to the old power hogs! I even tried leaving three regular bulbs in and only replacing one. Still no go!!!

You need to be replacing them with "WW" LED's. Something under ~3500k

Dwight · 03-01-2012, 01:05 AM

RESISTORS USED WHEN CHANGING TO LED LIGHTS

I'm looking for information on where to buy and how to install resistors for changing to led stop-turn-tail lights on the back of my 1995 F53 to replace the 1156 standard bulbs.

When I changed to the led bulbs I ran into a feed-back problem affecting my cruise control and transmission lock-up converter when I was (not) hooked up to my toad. I simply added a small #53 bulb to each of my taillight wires that run thru my rear storage bays and that corrected the problems.
Thanks, Dwight