Community Forums

chuckinthebus · 03-08-2013, 05:11 PM

I know there are many threads on LED light conversions (spent the last few days reading them and looking at links provided), but in needing over 64 replacement bulbs for just the inside and prices from >$2.00 to $12.00 +, I am confused.

Is there any real difference in the quality and life span of the less expensive vs the opposite? Are they made the same? In researching this, the ones for $8-$12 look the same as the ones for around $1.60. HELP!!!!

Thanks
Chuck

tomwalt · 03-08-2013, 05:32 PM

I looked into this several years ago so my input is dated - at that time, all LEDs were made and came from China - US companies just marked them up and redistributed.
I replaced every other light with LEDs (10 each) from the attached link and they are all still working. I am not a full timer, so the lights only have 100 hours or so on them.
Reading light Car light, High power LED items in duan-led2010 store on eBay!

docj · 03-08-2013, 05:42 PM

In my experience the biggest difference is in color temperature (bluish light vs warm white) and in lumen output. Many of the less expensive LEDs are bluish in color which corresponds to a color temperature >5000K. Warm white LEDs of ~3200K are generally more expensive and will produce less light. IMHO color temperatures of 4000K produce a nice natural white. Inexpensive LEDs will often advertise using words like warm white without specifying a color temperature; makes it hard to complain if you don't like it.

Similarly, better LEDs all provide lumen output measurements; cheaper ones often don't. The actual light output of an LED is roughly 5X the equivalent output of an incandescent light of the same wattage. Some "low end" sellers will claim the ratio is closer to 10X; it simply isn't. You can avoid the issue if the seller gives the lumen output.

I'm not saying you can't get a bargain on eBay or directly from China, but it's buyer beware. Some of the stuff out there is junk. Personally, I don't mind paying a bit more to buy from established suppliers like LED Lights, Bulbs & Accessories - SUPER BRIGHT LEDS or RVLEDBulbs.com - RV LED Bulbs, RV LED Lights and Light Accessories

Superslif · 03-08-2013, 05:47 PM

I'm in the same questioning. Was wondering how "bright" the LED's are compared to the old style light bulbs. At work they just replaced the whole million SQ. FT. warehouse with LED lighting...Over-all it is more of a direct light and the whole place is not as bright.

In our new tt the woodwork is rather a dark stained cherry cabinets with darker counter-tops.

Are 921's the most common bulb number for RV lighting?

palehorse89 · 03-08-2013, 06:00 PM

I bought all new led lighting off e-bay from hong kong, cheap, and that is just what I recieved! The lighting sucked bad, I took them all back out as the wife also hated the lighting from them.The only ones still in are in the 4 outside security lights, 36 led out there and I do like the lighting they give for outside.

denochs · 03-08-2013, 06:13 PM

We are FT and bought the cheap China made LEDs. I think we paid $30 for 10 of them. Had 4 halogen 12v bulbs out at the time, somewhere around Sept/Oct. We noticed a yellow tent to them when you hold your hand up close to them. However, from a distance of 1-2 feet the LEDs are actually brighter than the halogen. And they do not put off near as much heat. Have not had any problems with them and plan to replace all halogen by summer time. If you boon dock a lot I think they would be the only way to go because they do not consume as much electricity either.

Dave

mikebo · 03-08-2013, 06:25 PM

I replaced all of the lights in the motorhome that I just traded in with LEDs from China and was pleased with the outcome. I recommend that you order a few of the ones that you are considering. I ordered a pair of 5 different LEDs and was not satisfied with 3 of them. I didn't like the color. The other two were good.

As to longevity, most of the cheap LEDs do not have any voltage regulation. They are designed to be 12 volts. If you have a multistage converter that puts out over 14 volts at times, you might find some burning out.

You don't say what type of bulbs and fixtures you have, some types have a wide variety of options, others ar some what limited. I had a number of 20 watt halogen bulbs and found that the brightest LEDs in a g4 fixture was only as bright as 10 watt fixture.

Mike

docj · 03-08-2013, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superslif

I'm in the same questioning. Was wondering how "bright" the LED's are compared to the old style light bulbs. At work they just replaced the whole million SQ. FT. warehouse with LED lighting...Over-all it is more of a direct light and the whole place is not as bright.

That is why comparing the lumen output of the bulb you are replacing with the output of the LED you are buying is the only way to know in advance before you buy them and are dissatisfied. You can Google the output of any existing bulb incandescent or fluorescent.

chuckinthebus · 03-08-2013, 08:28 PM

Thanks all, I appreciate all the info. No I don't want to end up with a couple hundred $$$s of junk, but also didn't want to burst the repair and replace budget.
Looking to buy 50-55 G4 s for the puck lights and another 16 C912 s for reading and dining area. Wanted to do this all at one time as I have enough projects DW would like me to complete before taking a break and starting another.

Really does work the AC much more in the summer when we normally get to go camping.

PyrateSilly · 03-09-2013, 02:24 AM

We paid more money at this place for replacement ThinLites Marinebeam Replacement LED bulbs for your existing boat fixtures They are very bright. We only got a few the first time since they were not cheap. We do like the the brightness but only put them in the kitchen area right now.
You could try these places, they do have decent reps.:
usLEDsupply - Your source for High Tech RGB color LED lights, DMX controllers, and LED lighting supplies at wholesale prices.
www.superlumination.com Tail Light Brake Light Turn Signal LED Bulbs - we will probably get some of the auto size ones like the 1157

MaverickBBD · 03-09-2013, 05:24 AM

I did the L.E.D. conversion a little over two years now. As I was doing the whole coach I shopped around the various vendors at Q. I have since replaced two of the "spots" with higher quality (and higher $) bulbs. Theses were DW's knitting bulb and my reading bulb. Also noticed I have two of the original bulbs where an individual diode is beginning to flicker. This is like one out of nine or something like that. I just readjust the bulb in the socket and it seems to take care of the problem. Coincidentally they are both bathroom bulbs and both diodes on the end of the bulbs. The jury is still out but may replace with a better quality bulb eventually.

tm2go · 03-09-2013, 06:21 AM

As with all stuff, how good it is or isn't has many variables and it seems the only way to know for sure is to place a value on how much time, effort and $ that item is worth to you. The amount of research done before hand may give a better result. The led bulb industry is new to RVs as a whole and lots of information being passed around about how to chose what looks good vs cost and on and on. Lumen output is only one of many ways bulbs are rated. The color rendering index is often far more important for bulbs than lumen output. Most of the companies that make the bulbs and the people reselling them can put almost any claim out there they want. It's a buyer beware thing. It's also a buyer "know what you want" and are "willing to pay for" thing. Yes, most led bulbs in U.S. are made in China, some good and some bad. Want great looking light from leds? it isn't cheap. Want other versions? maybe some cheap is okay for you. Only you can decide what fits the bill.

tm2go · 03-09-2013, 06:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cnkinthebus

I know there are many threads on LED light conversions (spent the last few days reading them and looking at links provided), but in needing over 64 replacement bulbs for just the inside and prices from >$2.00 to $12.00 +, I am confused.

Is there any real difference in the quality and life span of the less expensive vs the opposite? Are they made the same? In researching this, the ones for $8-$12 look the same as the ones for around $1.60. HELP!!!!

Thanks
Chuck

Sometimes looks can be deceiving as you know. Are the high $ ones better? Maybe. Will the cheap ones work? Maybe. Look harder and you will find they can be bought in quantity for a few pennies each. Are those any good? Maybe. Might work to find someone that has changed to leds that you can see in the flesh so to speak. Look at the new MHs in dealerships with led lighting. Like it? Will they fit your stuff? Saves a lot of the unknowns.

Gary RVRoamer · 03-09-2013, 06:42 AM

While the individual leds are a commodity item, the bulb package is not. To make a useful bulb, you combine a socket, several leds of some tpe, and add a small circuit board to manage the power to the bulb so as to produce even lighting at varying voltages and temperatures. Better quality bulbs will perform well at system voltages from 8-16dcv, have corrosion-free bases/pins, and offer a choice of color ranges (cool, warm, etc). Brands like Revolution and Ming cost more but deliver the goods every time. That does not mean that other, no-name brands are crap, but it's hard to know what you are going to get if you aren't an electronics guy. Buying a brand name is a safer approach for most of us.

I buy all mine from rvledbulbs.com because they handle brands proven to work well in RVs (the owner is an RVer himself) and give great customer service. And I know I can return any bulb I am unhappy with. They handle the premier brands and also some low-cost imports that seem to work quite well.