Community Forums

Unicorn Driver · 05-16-2018, 08:14 PM

Hi,

Is it worth installing LED lights in a basement?

Cost for me to do so would be 28$

Thanks,

Edit: Please ignore, decided not to bother changing the bulbs.

Mr_D · 05-16-2018, 08:21 PM

Not to me. Don't use them enough to matter.

Unicorn Driver · 05-16-2018, 08:24 PM

Thats what I was thinking Mr D :-)

Bob_C · 05-16-2018, 08:27 PM

12 volt LED puck lights using a micro switch on each door..... I like light and do use my storage areas....

FIRE UP · 05-16-2018, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1stMH

Hi,

Is it worth installing LED lights in a basement?

Cost for me to do so would be 28$

Thanks,

Edit: Please ignore, decided not to bother changing the bulbs.

"Worth" is a matter of opinion. Cost is variable. Type of LED is also way variable. Just how much light is needed in basement storage is up to any owner, not just one person. Mine were incandescent and, therefore used more amperage than regular lights. Does that matter to most, who knows? Since we camp remote on an every-so-often basis, having about 99.999% of my lights, interior and basement as LEDs, is a pretty good plus. And, the most recent way I did it is phenomenal. I used LED strip lighting.

Even in the daytime, those lights light up the compartments seriously. It's all a matter of what's important to an individual. I like goofing around with this kind of stuff and, it also makes great improvements in all areas. Your choice.
Scott

FL420 · 05-16-2018, 09:55 PM

The switches for my step lights and compartment lights are located on the passenger armrest. My DW frequently hits them with her elbow, book or water bottle without realizing it. I soon realized that it might be prudent to replace the 10 incandescent bulbs in my baggage, engine and generator compartments with LEDs if I wanted my batteries to last the night.

BMGM37 · 05-16-2018, 11:38 PM

For me, yes it was worth it. My new Seneca just had lights mounted by each door and I got tired of reaching around for the switch on them. I mounted door switches on each door and then wired them so when any one door is opened all the lights come, I even added a strip to the battery compartment which had no light at all.

FL420 · 05-16-2018, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMGM37

I even added a strip to the battery compartment which had no light at all.

My coach doesn't have a light with its associated switch in the battery compartment or the propane tank compartment. I assume it is a safety feature to not have an ignition source near flammable gases.

BMGM37 · 05-17-2018, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FL420

My coach doesn't have a light with its associated switch in the battery compartment or the propane tank compartment. I assume it is a safety feature to not have an ignition source near flammable gases.

The strip lights I used are waterproof and are encased in silicone over the whole strip. I fed the strip from the adjacent compartment through a gap that was already there, but then I sealed the gap with silicone so there is no ignition source in bay from the light.

Unicorn Driver · 05-17-2018, 06:49 AM

Thanks all,

After FL's comments sbout accidentally turning on the lights I will convert to LED's.

SCVJeff · 05-18-2018, 12:42 AM

Ive converted all of them to LED along with everything on the coach simply because I like the light and there is now zero heat wear on any of the fixtures. Additionally we also dry camp 99.999991%, and my sole goal is to minimize any drain on the battery stack I can find.

Its also about keeping current, and incandescent lamps are simply gone from the RV world. It took me over 10years to do what imwanted because I couldnt stand the color temperature and failure rate of the early ones. All that is in the past.. For the kind of $$ we all spend in these things, $30 doesnt even ping my radar

Ivylog · 05-18-2018, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1stMH

Hi,

Is it worth installing LED lights in a basement?

Cost for me to do so would be $28.

I replaced 12 1156 bulbs with LEDs with 15 5050 chips for $6. Not sure how you could spend $28...OH, you are not buying them on EBay.

Unicorn Driver · 05-19-2018, 05:20 AM

Ended up getting 10 for 22$

I went with ones with good reviews on Amazon, I had used the same brand in my old coach with no issues.

DryCreek · 05-20-2018, 09:05 PM

I changed all of our bulbs over to LED. One night I saw a thin strip of light on the ground beneath one of our baggage doors. I wonder how long that light had been on? I haven't been in that compartment for ages! So, it was probably on the whole time of our last trip, and we boondocked every night we were travelling. LED's are cheap insurance, at least to me.