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crabbey1 · 10-14-2013, 01:17 PM

Hey guys!

My girlfriend and I acquired some great wall sconce light fixtures at a flea market this weekend. We want to incorporate them into the trailer but there is a problem. The salesman was from Denmark as were the lights. Being such they are also 240v (according to the bulbs that was still in the fixture)...

So here is what I would light to do: I would like to find a 12v fixture to replace the current 240v fixture. I want to use the same 12v LED bulbs I have around the rest of the trailer. Does anyone have any experience with this? Can the same 2-way switch be used with the 12v?

Any help would be great! Thanks!

Chris

Aage · 10-14-2013, 01:30 PM

If the manufacturer used and Edison type socket (the most common one, same as used here since forever) there's nothing to do but change the plug. The plug that goes into the wall I mean, since it will likely be one of the European ones.

If it is a different style socket for the bulb, then see if you can use a 120V bulb with that style socket in it. If you can't, then change the socket too.

crabbey1 · 10-14-2013, 01:41 PM

I think the socket is the same but I don't want to use it is 120v, I want to hardwire it into my 12v circuits. SO I think I need to change the socket out with one for a 12v LED bulb and then I should be good to go. I was hoping that maybe someone had done this before or had clarification...

Jammer · 10-14-2013, 02:31 PM

There are 12v incandescent bulbs available that will fit in 25, 50, and 100 watts.

There are also 12v LED bulbs. Search for "12 led bulb edison screw"

That would be the simplest. There is no need to replace the socket, and doing so is difficult because you may have trouble adapting the mounting provisions to another socket type.

bganso · 10-14-2013, 02:51 PM

We put these lights Diablo Sconce - Rustic Plain - Rustic Plain Sconce in our AS. The switches work fine (most have ratings that will work for any voltage up to 240v). For bulbs, we used 12v incandescent bulbs that fit the candlelabra bases. We also installed a ceiling fixture and used 12v bulbs in the standard bulb sockets. Realizing you prefer LED over incandescent, these sockets Single Contact Bayonet Base Socket: Light Bulbs Etc, Inc. can likely be adapted for your lights and will accept LED bulbs

crabbey1 · 10-14-2013, 03:01 PM

bganso - I found those Bayonet bases and they seem like I could just swap that out with the candelabra base I currently have and then I should be good to go, right?

Jammer - I did come across these LED Candelabra Bulbs. Could I literally just keep the fixture as is and use these bulbs? Will that be safe?

crabbey1 · 10-14-2013, 03:14 PM

One other question: If I use a bulb rated at 110v but only draws 6v, all is good for the 12v circuit, right?

vswingfield · 10-14-2013, 03:31 PM

DC12V E14 LED Light Bulb Mini Edison Lamp Solar Chandelier Yacht Interior Home | eBay

Quote:

Originally Posted by crabbey1

bganso - I found those Bayonet bases and they seem like I could just swap that out with the candelabra base I currently have and then I should be good to go, right?

Jammer - I did come across these LED Candelabra Bulbs. Could I literally just keep the fixture as is and use these bulbs? Will that be safe?

Those are for 120v AC. That means that it will have a circuit that changes 120v AC to the appropriate DC voltage for the LED (usually somewhere in the 2-5 volt DC range). You need one that has a converts 12v DC to the correct range. They make them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by crabbey1

One other question: If I use a bulb rated at 110v but only draws 6v, all is good for the 12v circuit, right?

No, it's still a 120v AC one.

Take a look here Boat/RVOther Edison Screw Base Bulbs | Boat/RV/Other LED Replacement Bulbs | Boat, RV, and Other Lighting | Super Bright LEDs, these are what you need. They are for 12v DC.

BTW, those fixtures should look great in the Argy!

On edit, take a look at these on ebay. They are 140mm tall by 33mm in diameter, so they should fit into those shades without interference. (I couldn't find the dimensions on Super Bright's site.) They are also available in warm white as an option (I prefer warm white, myself). Of course, coming from Hong Kong will take longer.

crabbey1 · 10-14-2013, 03:51 PM

Thanks for that link Vaughn. I have ordered E14 (european socket) converter to e12 (candelabra socket) adapters. So that is sorted out... I need some of these 12v DC bulbs but I would prefer to get the ones shaped light a flame if possible. I will keep searching!

I will post picks once these are mounted...

crabbey1 · 10-14-2013, 04:08 PM

Will these work? E12 Candelabra LED Landscape Lighting 18SMD 2XUL Chip 2W 12V AC Replaces 20W | eBay

bganso · 10-14-2013, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crabbey1

bganso - I found those Bayonet bases and they seem like I could just swap that out with the candelabra base I currently have and then I should be good to go, right?

I think those would work fine, but I like the alternatives provided by vswingfield better. Going to order some LEDs myself

vswingfield · 10-15-2013, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crabbey1

Will these work? E12 Candelabra LED Landscape Lighting 18SMD 2XUL Chip 2W 12V AC Replaces 20W | eBay

Those look good to me. No problem fitting into the shades, and the price is certainly right. They're even in the U.S. already so they won't take as long to get to you.

I'd go with the warm white ones, myself. I find that even the warm white LEDs can still be a little cool, especially if you have incandescents or fluorescents with warm white tubes in the same area. The cool white LEDs look rather jarring next to the others.

PhilipKS · 10-15-2013, 08:31 AM

Now that they are making LED's with Edison bases, how long will it be before there are adapters available for use in RV fixtures? I like my wall sconces/lamps, but they only accept automotive bulbs. IMO, automotive LED's are way over priced when I can buy a household LED with an Edison base for less.

vswingfield · 10-15-2013, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhilipKS

Now that they are making LED's with Edison bases, how long will it be before there are adapters available for use in RV fixtures? I like my wall sconces/lamps, but they only accept automotive bulbs. IMO, automotive LED's are way over priced when I can buy a household LED with an Edison base for less.

They are available pretty reasonably from eBay. From China, of course, but even the ones from U.S. sellers are made there. The higher prices reflect these dealers buying up front and keeping an inventory in the U.S. to reduce shipping times. You can save a bundle ordering from China and waiting, or you can get them more quickly and pay for it. Your choice.

Here's a quick link to a search for 1156 LED: (1156 led | eBay) I see some as low as six warm whites for $12.99. Even less for cool whites.

Good looking 6 wheeler you have there!

crabbey1 · 10-15-2013, 04:26 PM

Yeah, I ordered 2 e14 to e12 adapters and then 2 different sets of bulbs. One is a candle flicker style and another is steady. I will report back once they arrive. In the meantime I am going to forge ahead with the install..

tbirds255 · 10-15-2013, 06:12 PM

I don't mean to hijack this thread, but I have a question...You are saying that I can replace a light fixture in my trailer with a regular household fixture (110V), without rewiring anything within it, as long as I use a 12v screw in bulb in place of a houshold bulb? If so you just opened up my options!

crabbey1 · 10-15-2013, 11:13 PM

From what I am gathering, as long as the light you are replacing is a 12v light on a 12v circuit and you replace it with a 110v light fixture using a 12v LED bulb, you will be fine... The device to be powered in the bulb and it is 12v, just like if you were wiring to a 12v fan, 12v socket or any other 12v device.

bganso · 10-16-2013, 08:20 AM

Light fixtures are very basic...essentially a bulb holder with wires that connect to power. The larger gauge wire of a common household fixture conducts electricity better than the lighter gauge wire used in low voltage RV stuff. With all the new bulbs available, choice of fixtures is much greater than even a couple of years ago.

crabbey1 · 10-16-2013, 05:22 PM

Apparently, I was wrong about the size of the bulb base and socket. I received my adapters and 1 set of bulbs today and they were all too small.... I guess I need e 17 socket adapters... So I ordered e17 to e12 adapters today. Hopefully this works. I did however get 1 lamp installed...