LED lights

[chsw]

Many of my existing lights (1978) are damaged from wear or the lens cap are burned through from the heat of the bulb.

I am considering LED replacements throughout. Has anyone else replaced their lights will all LeDs? What can of results did you have?

[crazeevw]

This is what I've done with the Florescent fixtures in my Airstream Classic motorhome. LOTS less heat, and just as much light. Found 15ft strips of LED (300 'bulbs') on eBay. No idea what they're costing now, but I found mine 1st of the year at $12.00.
Thanks, Derek

[StreamRollin]

I have replaced all my lighting inside and outside. On the inside fixtures I bought most of them on eBay. If you look hard enough you can find them for as low as 2.99 each. Buy the warm light,unless you like the bright white. On the outside I bought them from I think it was called rvleds.com. I am really happy how they turned out.
Jim

[ROBERT CROSS]

cford,

Got ours from these two venders.

Good customer service from both.

Boat, RV and Other LED Bulbs - Super Bright LEDs

LEDs 4, Recreational Vehicles

On exterior lamps match bulb color to lens color.

Most folks prefer warm white for interior and bright white exterior.

The better quality bulbs are usually more cost effective over the long haul.

Bob

[chsw]

Originally Posted by StreamRollin

I have replaced all my lighting inside and outside. On the inside fixtures I bought most of them on eBay. If you look hard enough you can find them for as low as 2.99 each. Buy the warm light,unless you like the bright white. On the outside I bought them from I think it was called rvleds.com. I am really happy how they turned out.
Jim

2.99?

Did that include the fixture?

Charles

[StreamRollin]

No, just the small smd panel of 36 leds per small board that fit in each side of my light fixtures.Dual lights. Each board had adhesive on it to stick to fixtures.

[Aviator]

I bought a bunch from Hong Kong on EBay. It was a big mistake and took six weeks to get my money back.

I then went to Dan at LED4RV.com. Great service and very happy with the lights I have purchased so far. Since the cost is higher (but the other ones didn't work, so I guess the cost really isn't higher), I am buying lights in several sets to spread out the cost.

[StreamRollin]

I must of been lucky I had no problem buying on eBay. Bought all my leds from China, as much as I didn't want to. It took only 3 weeks Thur the mail.

[Scott J-24]

We replaced all of the original halogen lights with LEDs. We got them on-line at LED4RV.com from Dan. Good price and service. One of the best mods we did on our AS.

[Friday]

Originally Posted by Aviator

I bought a bunch from Hong Kong on EBay. It was a big mistake and took six weeks to get my money back.

I then went to Dan at LED4RV.com. Great service and very happy with the lights I have purchased so far. Since the cost is higher (but the other ones didn't work, so I guess the cost really isn't higher), I am buying lights in several sets to spread out the cost.

The cheap ones are polarity sensitive and Airstream doesn't pay attention to polarity it their fixture wiring... I had to rewire about 1/3 of my fixtures to get my cheap LED's to work... I was bored...

[ROBERT CROSS]

Another point to consider...most of the cheaper replacements I've checked out are rated at 12v, you may want to make sure you have a voltage range to at least 13.4, especially when the converter is charging.

Bob

[heslinhotel]

Had the same problem with old lights (burned covers). I used LED strip lights from superbright led. I removed 11 old fixtures from the interior and put in strip lights. I also replaced exterior lights with leds (all but marker lights). Used warm white on interior and bright white on porch and spot. I did replace the blue insert on the curb side with a waterproof yellow strip light so I no longer have to deal with "Party lights". I also installed dimmer switches on all strip lights including exterior strip. Very happy with results.

[bryanl]

Those LED strips can be an interesting arts and crafts project. See LED lighting – DIY strip lights. The 5 meter, 100 12v module, self stick circuit tape runs anywhere from around $15 to $100 or more depending upon source and (somewhat) LED type and waterproofing.

I am using a PWM Dimming Controller For LED Lights or Ribbon, 12 Volt 8 Amp, 3301 as it allows trimming down light levels (and power draw) to just what you need. It also provides some over-voltage protection. I do use a 'safety off' with them, just in case. I pull the dimmer board and pot from the supplied case and install with stand-offs or double sided tape in the fixture.

The LED strips work well for many of the lights in my Ambassador. The originals were often 3 bulbs riveted to an aluminum flashing to serve as a reflector for both heat and light. That reflector makes for a nice mounting for the LED strips. The result replaced the 60 watt incandescent with a 20 watt or less, as needed, dimmable LED.

For connections between strips there are some clips you can get but I just solder some wire pulled from old CAT 5 ethernet patch cable or low power speaker cable. I have found that sharp cut edges can cause shorts so I lift the ends of the strips a tad off the flashing and put a dollop of hot glue underneath. I also use the hot glue to help secure the wiring.

fun stuff. Now to put one of the 3 color strips with the fancy remote controls and dimmer. I got a 16.4 Ft RGB Color Changing Kit with LED Flexible Strip, Controller + Remote and 12 Volt 4 Amp Power Supply By Ledwholesalers, 2034rgb Kit ~ $35 to experiment with for up in front for 'mood' lighting.

I am preparing a photo gallery about what has been learned so far, just looking for one of those 'round tuit' things ...

Of course, it'd be much easier, and perhaps less expensive by a tad, to get some of those E-Bay bulb replacement items but it'd be less fun, too.

[Denis4x4]

Just finished installing and un-installing 15 LED's (two were bad) in the ceiling of my Safari 25. Why you might ask.....seems that my wife has lens implants and glasses that cause some serious vision problems with the LED's.

[SeeMore]

I installed LEDs sourced through EBay from Hong Kong over a year ago and have not had a failure yet. Polarity is an issue but super easy to figure out by simply testing before completing the install. I did both interior (warm white) and exterior (color matched to lens).

Color matched? Matching the color allows all the light generated by the LED to pass through the lens. White is full spectrum and eliminating all but red or yellow reduces total output.

[Skatiero]

We are hoping to do the led upgrade when we can afford it. How do you like the overall effect?

[Friday]

I went with the 'white' LED's, and it definitely gives it a different aura. The effect looks like it is colder, but is a bit sterile as well. The light is a big harsher, and contrast is better. Because we have a CCD, the interior aluminum and LED's give it a high-tech look.

Since there are so many lights... it is easy to experiment with getting the right effect. Really... my nighttime lighting requirements can probably be met with 2 LED's... there is definite lighting overkill in Airstreams...

[SeeMore]

@Skatiero - I changed 25 bulbs inside to 36 pad, warm white LEDs and neither the wife or I have any issues with the outcome: same light color but more illumination.

I wear contacts as I have terrible vision and was concerned because I knew the bright white LEDs caused headaches and/or light halos during prior exposures. That phenomenon never arose post installation.

If you don't look directly at the fixture lens, the output appears almost identical to the original filament bulb. However, looking at the lens you can make out the little individual diodes glowing through the plastic. The energy savings is unbelievable: six LED fixtures draw the same as one of the old filament bulbs.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by Skatiero

We are hoping to do the led upgrade when we can afford it. How do you like the overall effect?

We've found that warm white is better inside, and the bright white,(clear lens), for the exterior. As noted, match bulb color to lens for the exterior tail and clearance lights.

Bob

[dznf0g]

I redid the whole interior in LEDs. I agree with Bob, warm white is best, EXCEPT, we like bright white over work areas, like the under cabinet on the kitchen counter; the light above the bath mirror (for makeup & stuff); and the reading lights above the bed and couch.