Community Forums

OneRVer · 07-21-2013, 07:42 PM

Have anyone of you change out your fluorescent fixtures to the new LED fixtures. My 15T8/CW Fluorescent Bulb are starting to burn out so now is the time to make the change. Not only that, it is getting hard to find the bulbs my size. Mine are 17 inch and all that I can find are 18s.

So, I guess, I am asking are the LED fixtures recessed into the ceiling like the the fluorescent fixtures and any tips I should know before starting? Thanks.

Scarab0088 · 07-21-2013, 08:09 PM

New complete fixtures are still very expensive, but they are a direct replacement if you go that route.

See what I did on post #76 of this thread:
http://www.irv2.com/forums/f121/outl...-149108-6.html

I am happy with the mod, but I would add more LEDs to make it brighter as needed.

Best of luck

Bill0828 · 07-22-2013, 06:59 PM

We have made a concerted effort to change over all our interior lights to LED. Not a big job but certainly an initially expensive one ($600). We started while at the 2012 Tampa RV show and finished there this year. The LED's have provided a very nice improvement in lighting over the standard OEM bulbs. If you change out the fluorescent lights it requires some wire cutting in the fixture to remove the need for the ballast. It isn't difficult if your a little handy and some of the light tubes come with good instructions. We felt is was worth the investment. That's a decision only you can make

smlranger · 07-22-2013, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill0828

We have made a concerted effort to change over all our interior lights to LED. Not a big job but certainly an initially expensive one ($600). We started while at the 2012 Tampa RV show and finished there this year. The LED's have provided a very nice improvement in lighting over the standard OEM bulbs. If you change out the fluorescent lights it requires some wire cutting in the fixture to remove the need for the ballast. It isn't difficult if your a little handy and some of the light tubes come with good instructions. We felt is was worth the investment. That's a decision only you can make

I'm pondering a similar upgrade since one of my flourescent fixtures is not working....think the ballast is shot.

Is this the type of bulb you used to replace the flourescent tubes?

18" LED Tube Replacement, 500 Lumens, T8 Base

wjell · 07-22-2013, 07:28 PM

I'm really picky. So I'm ordering in oneses until I find what I like. I want warm white as bright as possible for replacing 1141s. I have decided to give up the no name brands. Revolution and Ming's Mark seen to be brands that can offer consistency. The Revolution 2099=270F (280 lumen/3100K) is a BIG bulb that does a great job in over vanity and dinettes.

I saw this for replacing flourescents but haven't tested them yet.

LED Warm White13.6v strip for repairing 18in light SKU346 [T350mm16WW] - $22.95 : LEDs 4, Recreational Vehicles

Muddypaws · 07-22-2013, 07:46 PM

You can buy a 5Meter roll of those same LEDs on eBay for what these guys are asking for to replace one tube. 3528 5M 300 LED SMD Flexible Strip Light Non Waterproof Warm White 3200K DSX | eBay

If you're at all handy with a soldering iron, glue gun,and a screwdriver you can make your own.

Refer to this thread:
http://www.irv2.com/forums/f115/inex...de-139025.html

My advice, use voltage regulators set at just under 11 volts. Much less heat that way. A hot LED is not a happy LED.

RV Carl · 07-22-2013, 09:16 PM

I bought my led bulbs from M4 products. They have many RV bulbs to choose from and a very informative website. Very satisfied.

PyrateSilly · 07-22-2013, 10:09 PM

We got most of our replacements from here Marinebeam Replacement LED bulbs for your existing boat fixtures not cheap but they work and with replacing both lights in one fixture makes it very bright which makes it very nice in the kitchen, lol.

Mr_D · 07-22-2013, 10:42 PM

I want to do it but so far I haven't found any that the DW likes the color off. Most are too white and she likes/demands the warm white of incandescent lights. Even the warm white fluorescent ones don't really suit her but she tolerates them (sort of).

wjell · 07-23-2013, 05:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_D

I want to do it but so far I haven't found any that the DW likes the color off. Most are too white and she likes/demands the warm white of incandescent lights. Even the warm white fluorescent ones don't really suit her but she tolerates them (sort of).

Same here. That is why I'm buying them 1 at a time until I find what I like. There is such a great variation in color even in "warm white". That is one of the reasons I think I going to go to Revolution or Ming's Mark brands to ensure continuity. That is also why I will stay away from eBay and/or unbranded China imports.

Picture shows two different warm white purchased at different times. The one on left is a WW color I like but I wanted to go to a WW brighter light.

OneRVer · 07-23-2013, 09:20 AM

I sure like this site. You have all been very helpful.

I will return with pictures when I have it completed. Well that might take a while. I will return when I get the first one completed.

Thank you all!

ronjhall · 07-23-2013, 12:35 PM

You may want to check out this thread on Inexpensive Fluorescent to LED Upgrade

vermilye · 07-23-2013, 02:20 PM

The problem with buying them one at a time is once the seller runs out of the lot he or she has in stock, they need to reorder & the new batch may well be different. If you are picky, be sure they will all be coming from the same batch.

wjell · 07-24-2013, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vermilye

The problem with buying them one at a time is once the seller runs out of the lot he or she has in stock, they need to reorder & the new batch may well be different. If you are picky, be sure they will all be coming from the same batch.

I agree. But on the other hand, the problem with buying them all at once is if you don't the brightness or color, you got a lot of "I don't like" on your hands.

For the ones that don't measure up there are fixtures in closets and basement holds that need to be filled. Pickyness only applies to living quarters.