LED lighting, from bulb to LED...

[SoulRaven]

<p style="margin: 1em 0px 3px;"><a target="_blank" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,Sans-Serif; font-size: 18px;" href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/RvBo...ml?utm_source=feedburner&amp;utm_medium=email" name="1">Thanks to RV Boondocking News<br></a></p><p style="MARGIN: 1em 0px 3px"><a target="_blank" style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial,Helvetica,Sans-Serif; FONT-SIZE: 18px" href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/RvBo...ml?utm_source=feedburner&amp;utm_medium=email" name="1">Tips For Buying LED Lights - Saving Power &amp; Your Pocketbook!</a> </p> <p style="LINE-HEIGHT: 140%; MARGIN: 9px 0px 3px; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-Serif; COLOR: #555; FONT-SIZE: 13px"><span>Posted:</span> 07 May 2012 12:30 AM PDT</p> <div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 140%; MARGIN: 0px; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-Serif; COLOR: #000000; FONT-SIZE: 13px"><br> <table style="TEXT-ALIGN: right; FLOAT: right; MARGIN-LEFT: 1em" class="tr-caption-container" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a target="_blank" style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 1em; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; CLEAR: right; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z17icGA_QS8/T6XD-oauhpI/AAAAAAAAAEw/VHOMlrCRVeQ/s1600/LED.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z17icGA_QS8/T6XD-oauhpI/AAAAAAAAAEw/VHOMlrCRVeQ/s1600/LED.jpg" border="0"></a></td></tr> <tr> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" class="tr-caption">Direct Replacement LED Bulbs</td></tr></tbody></table>Conserving 12 volt power is one of the many fundamentals of becoming a seasoned boondocker. Replacing the incandescent lights in your RV with LED lights is a great start. It’s as easy as changing a light bulb, literally! LED lights draw about one tenth the amperage of the conventional RV bulbs while providing the same or in some cases more light. Many of you are probably already employing this power saving technique. The real tip worth sharing is where to obtain LED lights while minimizing the pain to the pocketbook. Retail pricing on direct replacement LED bulbs from your local RV dealer or national camping chain can run $20 - $30 per bulb. Looking at the distribution system, it is easy to see how a bulb gets so expensive. The bulb is made overseas, then shipped to the US where it sits in a distribution warehouse before being sent to a lighting wholesaler who then sells it to a RV parts distributor who then sells it to a RV accessories retailer who then sells it to you. With handling and profit being added each step along the way it’s no wonder they are pricey. Skip all the steps and related costs stateside and go straight to the source, no traveling involved! Log onto eBay and order direct replacement bulbs for your RV direct from China. Once on eBay enter “LED 12 volt bulbs” along with the number of the bulb you are looking to replace and you will find pages of options to solve your lighting needs. Skipping over the high price offerings (US retailers) will bring you to countless Hong Kong sellers offering LED bulbs for a fraction of the cost.<br> <table style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; FLOAT: left; MARGIN-RIGHT: 1em" class="tr-caption-container" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a target="_blank" style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 1em; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; CLEAR: left; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zd6DiIcrImw/T6XEWcnAuLI/AAAAAAAAAE4/m-P3Tm4e3gg/s1600/LED2.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zd6DiIcrImw/T6XEWcnAuLI/AAAAAAAAAE4/m-P3Tm4e3gg/s200/LED2.jpg" border="0" height="200" width="200"></a></td></tr> <tr> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" class="tr-caption">Typical Wedge 921 Found in RVs</td></tr></tbody></table><br><br><br><br><br><br> I have done this a number of times replacing the RV before any of the “imported” LED bulbs failed. If you are searching for more light than your original bulbs emitted, look for the circuit board type replacements that have 40 or more LEDs mounted on them. These beauties mount to the interior of the fixture using double back tape and include various adapters allowing them to plug into the most common 12 volt light sockets. Mounting two of them in a common RV light fixture will have you reaching for your sunglasses! Two additional tips when buying via eBay:<br>1) Find a seller with a 99% or higher “Positive Feedback”<br>2) Plan ahead as your purchase will take 10 - 20 days to ship and clear customs. As a bonus, your package will arrive with colorful foreign postage stamps.<br> <table style="TEXT-ALIGN: right; FLOAT: right; MARGIN-LEFT: 1em" class="tr-caption-container" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a target="_blank" style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 1em; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; CLEAR: right; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mzab4eFpuTY/T6XEzg_kESI/AAAAAAAAAFA/Gm-EHxyvNZg/s1600/LED1.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mzab4eFpuTY/T6XEzg_kESI/AAAAAAAAAFA/Gm-EHxyvNZg/s200/LED1.jpg" border="0" height="133" width="200"></a></td></tr> <tr> <td style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" class="tr-caption">Circuit Board Type LED With Adapters</td></tr></tbody></table><br><br>Install some LEDs prior to your next boondock outing, your batteries will thank you for the savings along with your pocketbook.<br><br>An informational video comparing the widely used 921 incandescent RV bulb versus LED bulbs can be view <a target="_blank" href="">here</a>.<br><br> <div class="blogger-post-footer"><img alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.c...02988625879847009?l=www.rvboondockingnews.com" height="1" width="1"></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/RvBo...kU?utm_source=feedburner&amp;utm_medium=email" height="1" width="1"></div>

 

[VanTrekker]

<p style="margin: 0px;">I use the circuit board type LED lighting... so far there are three such fixtures installed and I'm adding one or two more.&nbsp; They provide plenty of light and can be wired directly to the shore batteries.&nbsp; Each has a cute little switch on the side.</p><p style="margin: 0px;"><br>The new ones have a softer, more natural colored light.&nbsp; Price?&nbsp;&nbsp; $24.95 at Menards.&nbsp; Great stuff...</p><p style="margin: 0px;"><br>V.T.</p>

 

[Cubey]

I plan to do this in my van.<br><br>I actually had to get LED bulbs for the dash gauges. Regular incandescent bulbs don't light the gauges up well at ALL! The left side is an LED bulb, the right side is incandescent: <br><br>

<br>

 

[josephusminimus]

Great suggestion.&nbsp; I just ordered 20 of those off EBay for less than $9.&nbsp; Converting all the interior lights in the RV with some spares.&nbsp; Free shipping, and it's just a matter of waiting longer for delivery

 

[Willy]

I've got both 12v and 115v led lights and, despite the price, they R0CK!

 

[wrcsixeight]

I have not been very satisfied with replacement LED bulbs in Incandescent fixtures. But have not tried any new products in several years. &nbsp;Mine were too dim and too blue. &nbsp;Specifically the &nbsp;921 wedge base bulbs from automlumination and V-led. &nbsp;Even a 25 smd led was too dim.<br /><br />It really all depends on how important the reflector was to the incandescent bulbs being replaced, IMO.<br /><br />Can't argue with 1/10 the current consumption though.

 

[VanGirl]

I use the 18 LED bulbs and they are good. A friend uses the high bright 40 LED bulbs and they are excellent.<br /><br />VanGirl

 

[SirJoey]

<br /><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><strong>I wonder if there's an LED option for us unfortunates who&nbsp;</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><strong>have to use THIS type of antiquated dinosaur bulbs:</strong></span><br /><br />

<br /><br /><span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><strong>Talk about power hogs? These things DEVOUR battery power!<br />Not to mention, they give off a pretty harsh light, not soft at all.<br /></strong><span><strong>Yes, this is what my old camper is actually sporting for lighting throughout.</strong></span><strong>&nbsp;<img src="/images/boards/smilies/frown.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /></strong></span><br /><br />

 

[josephusminimus]

SirJoey:&nbsp; <a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-Car-1156-...cessories&amp;hash=item3f1be48c36&amp;vxp=mtr">http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-Car-1156-...cessories&amp;hash=item3f1be48c36&amp;vxp=mtr</a><br /><br /><img id="icImg" class="img img400" src="http://i.ebayimg.com/t/2-Car-1156-T...A==/$(KGrHqN,!hsE+m!kNEndBQREkj)TMQ~~60_1.JPG" alt="" /> <!-- </span> --><span id="imgNATxt" class="imgNa" style="display: none;">Image not available</span> <span id="varImgNATxt" class="imgNa" style="display: none;">Photos not available for this variation</span><noscript></noscript><div class="spr">&nbsp;</div><div class="vi-pbh"><center><table><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;" width="100%"><a class="vi-slt " href="http://cgi5.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.d...2047675.l2567&amp;rt=nc&amp;item=271050902582" rel="nofollow">Sell one like this</a></td></tr></tbody></table></center></div><div id="SummaryPanel" class="sp-c sp-c400 lc2"><div><h1 class="it-ttl">2 Car 1156 Tail Brake White 102 SMD LED Light Bulb Lamp</h1><div id="prcIsum-lbl" class="u-flL lable binLable">Price:</div><div class="u-flL w29 vi-price"><span id="prcIsum">US $2.49</span> <!--Added for VAT message - DE site. Show VAT included msg just below the price. Converted price message should come after this message.--><!-- Vat Excluded message --></div></div></div>

 

[wrcsixeight]

<a href="http://www.superbrightleds.com/cat/tail-brake-turn/">http://www.superbrightleds.com/cat/tail-brake-turn/<br /><br />T</a>he bulb above has 2 different intensities, one for brake lights the other for parking lights. &nbsp;They are not used in interior fixtures. &nbsp;The link above has single intensity replacements

 

[SirJoey]

<a href="http://www.superbrightleds.com/cat/tail-brake-turn/">http://www.superbrightleds.com/cat/tail-brake-turn/<br /><br />T</a>he bulb above has 2 different intensities, one for brake lights the other for parking lights. &nbsp;They are not used in interior fixtures. &nbsp;The link above has single intensity replacements

<br /><strong style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;">Yeah, I'm aware that the pic is a double-filament bulb. I just used that&nbsp;<br />particular pic as an example, but mine really do look like that, except mine&nbsp;<br />are single-filament bulbs.</strong>&nbsp;<span style="font-family: 'comic sans ms', sans-serif;"><strong>Every single light fixture in my camper uses these.<br /><br />Josephus, thanx for the link! Nice to know there IS an option available!&nbsp;<img src="/images/boards/smilies/thumb.gif" alt="" align="absmiddle" border="0" /><br />Still, at 8 1/2 bux for the first one, then 2 1/2 for each additional, <br />I think I'll just keep using my dinosaurs.<br /><br /></strong></span>

 

[SoulRaven]

Joey, this is what I tried to imply with this article... You take that type of bulb and find the bulb # then replace that bulb with the same bulb end but the light portion is LED instead of incandescent type lighting...<br /><br />One other point of LED lighting is that they are cool running, not wasting energy thrown off by the heat...<br /><br />I went one step further and wired my van with 6V LED lanterns, these lanterns serve duel inside and outside purposes... Any 4 "D"/"AA" cell (6VDC) applications can be run via the set-up, so even less energy usage and no more buying expensive batteries...

 

[Suanne]

<p>

... find the bulb # then replace that bulb with the same bulb end but the light portion is LED instead of incandescent type lighting...

</p><p>Thanks for the info and reminder Steve.&nbsp; I just went to ebay and got 10 LED replacements for the interior lights in our "new" RV.</p><p>Suanne ... whose learning about RV upkeep now</p>

 

[wrcsixeight]

I've read reports on other forums that some of these E bay Chinese LED's do not like battery charging voltages, and burn out quickly when a converter or other device is keeping the battery voltage in the mid 14's.<br /><br />Some also report that LED lights cause radio interference on AM or Ham radio bands. &nbsp;I noticed my &nbsp;replacement LED bulbs, on weak TV stations, caused the channel to drop out.<br /><br />I have other LED lights(Not cheap),&nbsp;designed around Nichia LED bulbs that do not care about 14.8 volts, nor interfere with radio signals.

 

[woundedeagle]

I've read reports on other forums that some of these E bay Chinese LED's do not like battery charging voltages, and burn out quickly when a converter or other device is keeping the battery voltage in the mid 14's.&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;Some also report that LED lights cause radio interference on AM or Ham radio bands. &nbsp;I noticed my &nbsp;replacement LED bulbs, on weak TV stations, caused the channel to drop out.&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;I have other LED lights(Not cheap),&nbsp;designed around Nichia LED bulbs that do not care about 14.8 volts, nor interfere with radio signals.

the LED bulb have interference to radio, because the circuit in your bulb is not complying to the EMC rule(included in CE test),next time whenn you going to purchase a LED bulb you should tell the gut EMC is a must.

 

[Willy]

&nbsp;Just wanted to add something here. When I bought my 120W panel, Kevin (the solar guy on Van Isle) included a 12v CF bulb (and I bought a 2nd one for a few bux) that screws into a 12v base which looks like a 120v one. Granted, they draw more than an LED, but boy do they ever kick out the light. it's also a 'softer' light. Seeing as LED's are pretty pricey here, and I have the CF's anyway, I can't say that I'm disappointed. Yup, at 7W, they draw somewhat more.. though still considerably less than incandescent. ..Willy.

 

[accrete]

I've gone from bumper to hitch in our 38ft 5'ver and replaced all incandescent that i could with LEDs from the _<a href="http://www.superbrightleds.com/" rel="nofollow">SuperBrightLeds_</a> and _<a href="http://www.sailorsams.com/" rel="nofollow">SailorSams_</a> online stores. I didn't really notice it in any power bill reduction because my 2 6volt batteries that give the 12 volt system supply is recharged in part by a solar panel. But it is nice to have less heat in the fixtures. Some of the incandescent bulbs as you are aware can be so hot you wonder why there have not been more RV fires in the news!<br><br>We have all LEDs in our adventure rigs which run solely off DC. Very nice for conservation.<br><br>Both online stores were easy to order through and good service. There were some hard to find items that were listed at the sailor sams store so be sure to check out both in your research and pricing.<br><br><a href="http://www.sailorsams.com/rv-led-lights" rel="nofollow">RV lighting page at sailor sams</a> is informative.<br><br>: ) Thom

 

[rokguy]

Hi,<BR>&nbsp;I love LED's and would never go back to the old bulbs. I have been experimenting with multi voltage household strip LED's and found they are great in RV, boats trucks etc. The beauty here is you can save youself a fortune by NOT buying at those overpriced RV stores or Boat Chandleries anymore. Also most of the trucker type stores have been selling waterproof multi voltage strip LED's for awhile now and this stuff is brilliant.<BR><BR><IMG class=bbc_img src="http://stonemasoncarver.com/sitebuilder/images/new_LEDs_3-356x259.jpg" rel="lightbox"><BR><SPAN style="COLOR: #808080">There's about 180 LEDs on the outside of my ride and 80 on the inside. My amps controller reads 1/10th of the power.</SPAN><BR><IMG class=bbc_img src="http://stonemasoncarver.com/sitebuilder/images/2011-07-21_17.21.20-261x165.jpg" rel="lightbox"><BR>There's even LED headlight available soon to replace the HID ones. Wow can't wait.<BR><BR>Geoff

 

[Ballenxj]

Thanks for all the information and links folks. <img src="/images/boards/smilies/smile.gif" class="emoticon bbc_img"> <br>-Bruce

 

[lesliemorris85]

All interior lighting in our RV are now on LED and though the initial cost was quite numbing, we figured we’d give it a try based on the stories we heard regarding LED paying for itself eventually. We used strip LEDs to that we got from <a href="http://www.barlighting.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.barlighting.com</a> and for all interior lights we bought those off <a href="http://www.illustralighting.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.illustralighting.com</a> . So far we haven’t had any problems and we’re starting to see the benefits and cost saving of going LED.