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Old 07-16-2010, 10:01 AM   #1
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Patio LED light

Per the request of many of you, we have developed a LED light for the Patio. This round four inch light was put on many Airstreams by the door and in the middle on the door side. It is the round Truck-lite lens with the large 48x68 pad.


It comes in Bright White 48x68BW9016W and Warm White 48x68WW9016W. Allways remember, "9 out of 10 Women prefer WarmWhite over Bright White"


Dan
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Old 07-16-2010, 10:38 AM   #2
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there are several options for the patio light (stock bulb 1156)

first determine is the lens/cover is PLASTIC or GLASS.

<))the newer units ALL have a plastic cover((>

the oem incandescent bulb will melt/warp the cover in just a few hours use...

so that the DIRECTION of lighting shifts UPward as the cover sags on the bottom side (looks like a UNsupported breast)...

while the older GLASS cover isn't affected by the hotter bulbs and keeps it's shape...
_________

so the oem bulb (1156) can be replaced with an incandescent version that is a little smaller (less light)...

the result is less HEAT, less juice, longer life and a BIT less light, but still very adequate for the patio.

the a/s store and MOST auto parts or rv stores carry the oem and the 'step down' incandescent bulbs.
_________

if opt'ing for ledz the a/s store carries 2 FLAT array versions and both work great....

the first is a 40/50 warm white pad ...

https://store.airstream.com/product_...roducts_id=422

the 2nd option is a 48x68 bright white pad

https://store.airstream.com/product_...roducts_id=423

this 2nd choice is the same size as the o.p. advert.

it will JUST FIT inside the patio fixture, but it's tight (gotta deal with the wires)...

there is NO NEED to remove the adhesive backing cover and stick it...

also the POSITIONING is critical inside the fixture...

one must place it "just above center" so that it the light projects forward/down rather that UP/away...

so ya gotta play with it.
___________

the 1st link for the 40x50 replacement can be used in a lotta places (closet lights, shower light, safari ceiling lights)...

and is available is warm white or the bizarre bright white...

the 48x68 puts out MORE LIGHT but size limits what fixtures it can be crammmmmmed in to...

i've used both of these a/s store offerings in the patio light and right now have the bright 48x68 jammed in there...

it's friggin bright, but not hot so the plastic lens cover still looks firm, shapely and youthful...



cheers
2air'
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Old 07-16-2010, 10:40 AM   #3
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Dan,

Cool! It looks like it includes the lens, yes? Do you have an LED replacment for the light over the door?

Chris
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Old 07-16-2010, 10:44 AM   #4
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ok - maybe I should look at your website before asking silly questions....
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Old 07-16-2010, 10:57 AM   #5
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2air, the patio light lens on my '72 is plastic, and broken. If it was glass originally, that's long gone. Based on Dan's web site, it looks like the patio light is a complete kit that does include a retro look lens as part of the LED assembly. If it's plastic, fine by me as LEDs don’t produce much (if any) heat. I was going to replace it with and LED bulb and back-up light retro lens in plastic anyway.

Yes, the door light LED looks to be a simple LED replacement without a lens. Fortunately, I still have that lens and it's intact.

Chris
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Old 07-16-2010, 11:09 AM   #6
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Originally Posted by Minno View Post
... as LEDs don’t produce much (if any) heat...
the diode emitting light nipple heat PRODUCTION is different than an incandescent filament...

but heat is still an issue with ledz.

""they don't produce heat"" is one of the misconceptions...

driving sales and confusing buyers AFTER the fact...

when fixtures fail, bulbs wither and wiring does crazy things.

heat IS STILL AN ISSUE with ledz,

when properly managed it's just not FELT at the point of illumination.

LED Thermal Management Basics

replacement plastic covers (with gaskets and/or screws) are available from MOST of the a/s vendors....

finding the older glass covers is more of a challenge.
____________

the light FIXTURES in current/older streams were NOT DESIGNED for led bulbs.

NO heat sinks, venting, fans,

and wiring, solder, capacitors, resistors and ALL the magic gizmos inside these fixtures are issues.

i fully expect to read reports about ALL of these things failing over time

and SOONER than they would with oem bulbs.

dimming, color shift, wires melting, cooking of the STUFF inside the fixtures are issues to EXPECT...

while the diodes may have 10,000-100k hours to failure, the other stuff?

i dunno.

the point being lower energy consumption and longer 'bulb' life will be traded for other issues...

while the led replacement bulb industry MATURES

and the FIXTURE makers alter their products SPECIFICALLY for led usage.

i've converted ~1/2 the bulbs in da'steam...

and ONE point to consider is quality/safety of the replacements.

are ANY of these 12v led rv bulbs UL approved?

cheers
2air'
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Old 07-16-2010, 11:48 AM   #7
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Perhaps overheating is why I am on my third set of LED's over the dinette. They have lasted about 1-2 weeks of everday use.

Bought them from the Airstream store, and they have been excellent about sending out new ones, with me sending back the old lights for "analysis".

I am in agreement with 2AIR, they are overheating inside the factory 2007 Safari SE fixture. Next time we take out the trailer, I will leave the cover off one of the fixtures, and report back.

Doug K
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Old 07-16-2010, 12:22 PM   #8
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Light over the door.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Minno View Post
Dan,

Cool! It looks like it includes the lens, yes? Do you have an LED replacment for the light over the door?

Chris
Yes we do have the one for over the door.
PDS70x32mmWW in Warm White and PDS70x32mmBW Bright White





Dan
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Old 07-16-2010, 12:31 PM   #9
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Light testing

Quote:
Originally Posted by 2airishuman View Post
the diode emitting light nipple heat PRODUCTION is different than an incandescent filament...

but heat is still an issue with ledz.

""they don't produce heat"" is one of the misconceptions...

driving sales and confusing buyers AFTER the fact...

when fixtures fail, bulbs wither and wiring does crazy things.

heat IS STILL AN ISSUE with ledz, ....
.................

...........are ANY of these 12v led rv bulbs UL approved?

cheers
2air'
2air

We have tested this light in some pretty warm temps. You are right about the heat. If this light were to be left on in 90 degrees Daytime with the sun on it you would have problems. Our course you won't use it in the daytime.



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Old 07-16-2010, 12:54 PM   #10
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I think this is a great idea. My wife and I like to boondock and anything that uses less electricity is good. However, we always thought that the clear lens was too bright and found an amber lens that cut down the brightness. Could an amber lens be used? Thanx
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Old 07-16-2010, 01:03 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dan@LED4RV View Post
...course you won't use it in the daytime...
thanks for adding this part dan, full awareness is a good thing.

and as DK' reports first hand...

there are sometimes issues that lead to bulb OR fixture failures.

wish i had a nicklel for every time i left the patio light on at bedtime,

only to find it still on at noon the next day...

Quote:
Originally Posted by nswhite View Post
...Could an amber lens be used? Thanx

sure a COLORED lens can be used...

for a variety of effects.

typically when using ledz it's the diode that's tweaked to PRODUCED whatever color light is preferred...

rather than try filtering white light through a tinted lens (often with UNusual results using ledz)...

this is one of the PLUS side features of ledz...color.

for example i just swapped out some led marker lights on da'truck...

the orange/yellow lens covers were REPLACED with dot approved CLEAR and SMOKED covers...

while the actual led units are DOT yellow...

a YELLOW patio light might cut bugz too...

cheers
2air'
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Old 07-16-2010, 01:13 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 2airishuman View Post

a YELLOW patio light might cut bugz too...

cheers
2air'
Blue would match A/S trim nicely, red would be nice for... oh nevermind. I don't WANT a red light outside my door
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Old 07-16-2010, 01:20 PM   #13
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red would be nice for... oh nevermind. I don't WANT a red light outside my door
i was just at corn belt rally a few weeks ago...

where several streamers had converted the patio light to red...

the alpha trailer had done this several years ago (he also makes, well... moonshine)

and as rally folks viewed the effect, more of them tired it.

i'm holding out for the kaleidoscope, rainbow, rasta changing ledz...

cheers
2air'
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Old 07-17-2010, 06:46 AM   #14
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Amber Lens

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Originally Posted by nswhite View Post
I Could an amber lens be used? Thanx
I think an amber lens could be used but I don't think that there is one that will fit that light. There is only red and clear.
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Old 07-17-2010, 04:42 PM   #15
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Just checked out patio light yesterday and lo and behold, the lens is warped from the heat of the 1156 bulb inside... We have ordered the replacement lens and LED pad from Dan@LED4RV... along with a T-10 bulb replacement for the galley hood light and another bayonet light for the exterior step light while we were at it...
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Old 07-18-2010, 01:48 AM   #16
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the better one

Quote:
Originally Posted by 2airishuman View Post
there are several options for the patio light (stock bulb 1156)

the 2nd option is a 48x68 bright white pad

https://store.airstream.com/product_info.php?products_id=423

this 2nd choice is the same size as the o.p. advert.


cheers
2air'
The second one here is the better choice because the LED's have space behind them. That space lets air in and helps the life of the LED. The link below is to the 70x32 pad but is designed the same as the 48x68 pad.
LED Bright White Multipurpose Pad PDS70x32mmBW : LEDs 4, Recreational Vehicles
The first choice listed here, the 40x50 pad, does not. The 40 x 50 pad will do better in the North where it is cooler.

Dan
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Old 08-19-2010, 12:57 PM   #17
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I found this product which appears to have a more integrated design. Not sure how the thermal performance would be since in backup light applications it wouldn't stay lit for hours:

http://www.dialight.com/Assets%5CBro...DTB46BX001.pdf
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