Community Forums

BobGed · 08-19-2017, 11:33 AM

Another good source, albeit a bit expensive, is M4LED Products

Stealth01 · 08-19-2017, 04:17 PM

We've had very good performance with LEDs from this company: RVLEDBulbs.com - RV LED Bulbs, RV LED Lights and Light Accessories Little more expensive, but with LEDs you get what you pay for!

jayc2640 · 08-20-2017, 03:42 PM

After our near inferno, I was watching the lighting a little more closely. I found two more of these leds that were flickering. I don't know for sure that its a problem, but I'm not taking chances. I removed the two, and will be ordering replacement leds tomorrow (probably from M4).

Old Radios · 08-20-2017, 03:57 PM

As mentioned at th beginning, don't buy LEDs that are only rated at 12 volts. Over a longer term at higher charging voltages, they can over heat and fail. Find LEDs rated for at least 12 to 24 volts.

jayc2640 · 08-21-2017, 06:28 PM

I emailed M4 with my questions, and got a very fast and informative message from Steve. I opted for the recommended leds: Elite Series Retrofit LED to replace Small 10w G4 / T3 Halogen

Inside of a couple of hours, I got a message that they had shipped. So far, I'm very impressed with M4.

bfrazier · 08-21-2017, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jayc2640

I emailed M4 with my questions, and got a very fast and informative message from Steve. I opted for the recommended leds: Elite Series Retrofit LED to replace Small 10w G4 / T3 Halogen

Inside of a couple of hours, I got a message that they had shipped. So far, I'm very impressed with M4.

I've heard great things about Steve at M4 from a trusted source. Definitely an "A List" choice.

RV Carl · 08-23-2017, 07:03 PM

I'm in the process of retrofitting my second coach with M4 led bulbs and never had a failure. They have a quality product and great service.
You buy cheap you get cheap.

4x4van · 08-25-2017, 07:36 PM

I would assume that Monaco didn't use "cheap Chinese LEDs", and they still failed, didn't they? But I digress. I have converted two RVs completely over to LEDs; more than 25 individual bulbs/fixtures in each rig. Both RVs were done with "cheap Chinese LEDs" from Amazon and eBay. Over the course of 4 years, both boondocking and full hookups, not a single failure. Yes, I bought cheap... and would do it again and again. No reason, IMO, to pay $15+ for LEDs that can be purchased for $3. Where do you think M4 or Super bright actually get their LEDs?

jayc2640 · 08-26-2017, 02:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4x4van

I would assume that Monaco didn't use "cheap Chinese LEDs", and they still failed, didn't they? But I digress. I have converted two RVs completely over to LEDs; more than 25 individual bulbs/fixtures in each rig. Both RVs were done with "cheap Chinese LEDs" from Amazon and eBay. Over the course of 4 years, both boondocking and full hookups, not a single failure. Yes, I bought cheap... and would do it again and again. No reason, IMO, to pay $15+ for LEDs that can be purchased for $3. Where do you think M4 or Super bright actually get their LEDs?

Actually, the LEDs in the coach were purchased by the previous owner. Monaco had used halogen bulbs. While I freely admit that I know very little about LEDs, when you have one fail and smoke begins to pour from the fixture, it gives you pause.

Despite your opinion, the consensus seems to be that LEDs with circuitry built in to protect against power fluxuations are more reliable than "cheap Chinese LEDs". Spending a little extra cash vs a potential fire in the coach seems like a wise investment.

BillJinOR · 08-26-2017, 04:05 AM

Actually the circuitry models come from China and can be bought on eBay and Amazon also .. at a much cheaper cost. The problem is there's a lot of lousy stuff out there and it's hard to find the difference. I had over 50 halogens to convert so it took some experimentation. I bought 2 at a time and tried them. Most were way to big to fit in my fixture. Second thing is to find the color temp you want ...cheap leds tend to be blueish
In the end I found some at about a buck ea tiny G4 pin 1" wafer disk with voltage and polarity circuit controls on the back side with a "warm white" color rating I can't find the exact one in my records but your fixture may require different anyway I found the ones in the picture ..round gel encased leds To be hot and in fact to big for my small fixtures

4x4van · 08-26-2017, 08:26 AM

Yup, as BILLJinOR points out, the voltage regulated LEDs are available from Amazon/eBay as well. I, too, didn't just buy the cheapest LEDs I could find. I researched, I read reviews, I bought a couple at a time to test/try... And in the end I spent less than $150 total for each RV, and that included a 16' exterior strip under the awning controlled by a full range dimmer. I've tested them, both current and temperature, under various conditions, and am comfortable that they will not overheat; in fact they run well under 1/4 the temps of the incandescents they replaced, even while operating at 14+ volts for several hours in 100+ degree ambient temperatures.

I have no problem with people paying top dollar for LEDs, if that's what they need to do to feel comfortable. But with some research and diligence, it isn't really necessary.

lynnmor · 08-26-2017, 11:28 AM

I want the real cheap Chinese LEDs, with no voltage regulator, so my TV will work on the antenna. Problem is that they are almost impossible to find because nearly all have the regulators now. Why pay a lot of money to mess up TV reception?

Old Radios · 08-31-2017, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lynnmor

I want the real cheap Chinese LEDs, with no voltage regulator, so my TV will work on the antenna. Problem is that they are almost impossible to find because nearly all have the regulators now. Why pay a lot of money to mess up TV reception?

I know! I know! So your RV doesn't burn up?

Seriously though, I use cheaper "Gold Star" brand 8v-30v bulbs I bought on ebay and Amazon that have the regulators and don't have any interference. Haven't had any failures since I installed them four years ago either. Four different types including the Vanity Light bulbs and all of them run nice and cool. Fridge light is the only one that's still incandescent.