LED lights

SteveH · 09-15-2007, 07:11 PM

I was looking at the number of 1156 light bulbs today in my trailer, and adding it all up, it's something like 24 amps of battery drain if they are all on at the same time. So, has anyone converted to LED (Light emitting diode) lights, and if so, where did you get them, and how happy are you with them? Any information you might have would be greatly appreciated.

Alaska1966 · 09-15-2007, 07:21 PM

My husband bought all new outside LED lights. They look like the originals. He bought them at WalMart. We have talked about getting ones for the inside. We just haven't gone looking for any yet. I will keep my on your post so we can find out where to get some also.

Alumatube · 09-15-2007, 07:27 PM

I'm with you - I would rather have less current draw (and lights that don't get hot)! I have not found any of a color I would be satisfied with for an interior yet. I like a warmer light (like from incandescent bulbs) and can't stand the bright bluish white of fluorescent for my living spaces. The LEDs I have found have been either bright white or that mercury vapor orange color (think of any LED landscape lighting you may have seen and you will know the two colors I am talking about). I am sure they will be available soon, as technology advances, but I don't think it's there just yet.

If someone *does* have a source for warm LED lighting, PLEASE let me know!

Susan

Excella CM · 09-15-2007, 07:27 PM

Many of us are building led zeppelins. Music to our eyes.

HowieE · 09-15-2007, 07:52 PM

There are several post on this subject. Search on LED and you will find them. This is one of the more complete discussions.
LED tail lights.

Lumatic · 09-15-2007, 08:01 PM

Replaced all 10 of my clearance marker lights with double bulls eye LEDs I got from Vintage Trailer supply. A few bucks more than the bulb type. Nice and bright. Don't know about the difference in draw. The new ones have a factory plug and mount flush. I had to cut off the plug and make a gasket out of 1/8 rubber to get the clearance for the wires. So far so good.

thecatsandi · 09-15-2007, 08:06 PM

I replaced all my running lights with equivlent LEDs from SUPER BRIGHT LEDS home
They shipped what I ordered promptly. price was about $3-5 per bulb.

ScottW · 09-15-2007, 08:57 PM

Michelle,
did you replace them all with white LEDs or did you dub amber for amber and red for red? 2Air mentioned on another thread not to put color LEDs behind colored lenses. Your experience, please. Thanks

davidz71 · 09-15-2007, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveH

I was looking at the number of 1156 light bulbs today in my trailer, and adding it all up, it's something like 24 amps of battery drain if they are all on at the same time. So, has anyone converted to LED (Light emitting diode) lights, and if so, where did you get them, and how happy are you with them? Any information you might have would be greatly appreciated.

Check out this site for right angle 1156 and 1157: Super Bright LEDs - Tail Brake/Turn Bulbs

You have to look closely to see if you have correct indexing by looking at the diagram and comparing it with the bulbs in your trailer. These could be used for interior lights or the light over your door if you have enough lens space inside the light or you could go to the different size panels. Do a forum search on LED tailights and LED interior lighting which should help you. I have ordered clearance light from www.LEDS-R-US.com as well as Led Truck Lights, Led stop lights, Led clearance lights, led Marker lights, Led trailer lights, truck lights, led strobe lights and were pleased with both. The vehiclelights clearance light uses 2 wires as connections while the LEDS-R-US uses one and grounds on the screw going to the body. I just used a ring terminal, wire and cut a channel in the back of the plastic with a dremel tool for the wire clearance to the ground/negative.

SteveH · 09-15-2007, 09:49 PM

I have been misunderstood...I was inquiring about LED lights for the interior lights. That's where the high current drain is an issue. All of the incadecants will kill the battery in the trailer rather quickly.

The power drain of the marker lights and tail lights is not a problem in my way of thinking because when you are running and using those lights, the alternator is handling the load, although the LEDs do not burn out like incandecants.

thecatsandi · 09-15-2007, 10:52 PM

Thier website says. Put the same color LED as the lens. Red behind the red and amber behind the amber. I have a white one as a universal spare.
The brightness seems to be just fine.

ROBERTSUNRUS · 09-15-2007, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveH

I have been misunderstood...I was inquiring about LED lights for the interior lights. That's where the high current drain is an issue. All of the incadecants will kill the battery in the trailer rather quickly.

The power drain of the marker lights and tail lights is not a problem in my way of thinking because when you are running and using those lights, the alternator is handling the load, although the LEDs do not burn out like incandecants.

Hi, that's what I thought you meant. But, other than useing the bathroom or kitchen, we usually only turn on two double overhead lights at a time. With one double light turned on with the inside door switch, and one other double light turned on near the rear bedroom it's plenty bright inside of our trailer. That's only four bulbs burning. Yes these type bulbs get pretty hot and draw a lot more than LEDs, but we don't run them all night and rarely boondock. It's nice to have all these interior lights so we can choose which ones we want on at any given time, but I would never have a reason to turn them all on at once. [well unless I was a doctor and performing surgery inside of my trailer]

JDL · 09-16-2007, 03:07 AM

I have converted to mostly LED lights.

After 3 days of boondocking I still had a full battery...

See post:

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f447...ens-17392.html

87MH · 09-16-2007, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveH

I was looking at the number of 1156 light bulbs today in my trailer, and adding it all up, it's something like 24 amps of battery drain if they are all on at the same time. .....

SteveH:

I don't think there should be ANY 1156's in the interior of your trailer....I'm pretty sure the interior lights should be 1141's (1.6 amp) - check your owner's manual.

I converted all of the exterior lights on the '78 sovereign to LED's except the inner brake lights and the flood light. I left the inner brake lights with 1156's due to the infrequent useage and cost of replacement. The door (step) light was replaced with a white LED - a very cold and weak amount of light, but ample for the requirements. I tried several LED's in the flood light, all unsatisfactory, but did not spend more than $30 per bulb. I tried a 55 watt halogen in the flood, but there was a terrific amount of heat - so much so I was sure it would damage the lens if I left it in, so I went back to the 1156 that is supposed to be in there.

I did find that the 90 degree stop/tail light combination LED replacement bulb for the 1157 is 180 degrees out of phase. On my unit the bulb base is pressed into the 4" X 4" bulb bowl, and could not be rotated without damage, so I went the direction of most other's here and replaced the turn/running light 1157 with a modified (cut down) LED module.

I have replaced some of the interior lights with LED "square" bulb base modules - the LED white light is very "cold" - not to my liking at all.

I did use two 90 degree red LED's as "night lights" in the bathroom light - not a bunch of lumens, but it serves the purpose - besides, the red light adds a touch of drama to the toilet necessity.

I also tried to replace the 1156's in the brake lights with 55 watt halogen's - I ended up blowing the 10 amp fuse in the tow vehicle power amplifier module.

Please let us know if you (or anyone else) finds a suitable "warm" replacement for the interior 1141's.