Community Forums

Jim.B1 · 10-03-2021, 02:56 PM

I am considering switching the stock high and low beam headlight bulbs on our 2014 Southwind to LED bulbs.
The existing standard lights just do not shine enough light at night, even on high beam.
The fog lights illuminate a wider path, but do not help with the longer distance.
Has anyone done this, and were you pleased with the overall performance afterwards?
Also, any info on replacement model numbers and dealers would be appreciated.
I tried "buyrvlights.com" and they wanted more to ship 4 bulbs than the actual cost of the bulbs!!!!
Thanks in advance.

jeanluc001 · 10-03-2021, 03:58 PM

Yeah i thought it would be easy to just swap the bulbs out for led's. not so much. look on you tube for videos about this. the headlight housing is important when it comes to focusing the beam correctly. i ended up with a scattered light that shone to high.
ended up buying better quality bulbs

HarryStone · 10-03-2021, 04:09 PM

The brand of LED makes as much, or more difference than the shape of the headlight housing. With that said, have you attempted to aim the headlights correctly?

House Husband · 10-03-2021, 04:49 PM

I purchased LEDs on EBay that were 4 sided. 2 sides for low beam and all 4 for sides for high beam.
You will need to adjust lighting height no matter what LEDs you purchase. The hot spot should hit the highway about 40' out. That is the standard provided by the DOT.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/39355857842...Cclp%3A2334524

Richard

George Schweikle · 10-03-2021, 05:02 PM

Many motorhomes are wired in such a way that there is a significant voltage drop to the headlights. An alternative to changing to LED lights is to do the well known modification using relays to send full battery power to the existing lights. I did this, and there is a significant increase in light brightness.
https://www.lmctruck.com/1967-72-che...dlight-harness

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim.B1

I am considering switching the stock high and low beam headlight bulbs on our 2014 Southwind to LED bulbs.
The existing standard lights just do not shine enough light at night, even on high beam.
The fog lights illuminate a wider path, but do not help with the longer distance.
Has anyone done this, and were you pleased with the overall performance afterwards?
Also, any info on replacement model numbers and dealers would be appreciated.
I tried "buyrvlights.com" and they wanted more to ship 4 bulbs than the actual cost of the bulbs!!!!
Thanks in advance.

donr103 · 10-03-2021, 05:03 PM

Members here posted.. the you need to test volts at the bulb connection.. many times.. for one reason or the other.. the voltage is way below 12volt... so you need to have a HD relay added to each side and low and hi beams.. my understanding is that's is 4 HD relays.. that is first thing.. if you are not getting full voltage then nothing will work.. even leds.. although leds use less amps.. but the truth is.. so many things affects ones vision that only thing I found.. is just break down.. after checking for proper voltage.. and add set of driving lights.. there are many to choose from..
Good luck and let us know what you did and maybe better members then me will help you

SavnTheWales · 10-04-2021, 07:26 PM

LEDs worked fine in my 35k. Daytime running light mode does have lower voltage but there was enough to light the led… and as you know LEDs are not dimmable so they are full brightness all the time.

Make sure you buy IP68 and not IP65 LEDs. I had IP65 and one failed in heavy rain because in an RV they are not well protected underneath.

Tha_Rooster · 10-05-2021, 02:57 PM

Don’t know about your headlights but most led bulbs have to be clocked into the right position either the leds are side to side or up and down.

2cyber71 · 10-05-2021, 03:03 PM

All I know one of my Helo headlights costs $550.00 to replace.
Unbelievable

geordi · 10-05-2021, 03:20 PM

I replaced my headlight housings (found by the DOT number that they came from an Econoline Van and were super cheap since so common) to get clear lenses and a new reflector in the back.

Then I went on Amazon and found Hikari LED headlight replacements that keep the light source very close to the center of the unit - this is what allows them to work in halogen reflectors. They will still need rotation and adjustment after you install them, and might need some creativity on the clamp ring if that doesn't fit right. But they work GREAT and now I can actually see the road at night. I'm also not of the usual RVer age group, so night vision wasn't a problem, the halogen lights were just junk!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I also replaced the fogs with LED housings that throw nearly as much light as the headlights, which makes life great when trying to position at night. Now if only the rear view had as much light back there..... I've got another set of fogs that will be installed facing the rear at some point.

Ohio44718 · 10-05-2021, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryStone

The brand of LED makes as much, or more difference than the shape of the headlight housing. With that said, have you attempted to aim the headlights correctly?

This is very true. I have purchased a few different LED for various applications but the headlight bulb positioning in the housing makes a big difference on the quality of the beam. Personally bought a set from Headlight Revolution and they were pricey, but I was able to get a good beam pattern and I did not get flashing lights from opposing traffic.

Also voltage is important LED or Halogen. There are a number of charts on the internet that show a 20% loss in lumens with a standard headlight bulb from 12.8V to 12.0V. If you want some interesting reading on the subject, check this site out. He is a well known guru. https://www.danielsternlighting.com/...ys/relays.html

HarryStone · 10-05-2021, 10:24 PM

I was buying from Daniel Stern 20 years ago

US1 · 10-06-2021, 08:09 AM

I did the wiring relay and reaiming on my Winnebago. All the difference in the world, even with the stock sealed beam lights.

Podivin · 10-06-2021, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by US1

I did the wiring relay and reaiming on my Winnebago. All the difference in the world, even with the stock sealed beam lights.

The same for me. After I bypassed all the stock wiring with new/shorter relays and wiring I don't have near the struggle I did driving at night with the stock headlights. LEDs may still make it better, but at least now I know that I have headlights and not just a couple of candles out there.