replacing existing fluorescent tubes with LED's

[carl2591]

Most of the light in the 2005 we got has been converted to LED light except the fluorescent tubes lights.

Was looking at led strip light on a roll and see there are some number like 3528, 5050 and 5630.

In looking around it seem the higher the number the brighter the light per LED.

I was wondering if the 3528 strips when installed in the existing fixture with 2 to 3 strips would be enough light or would the 5050 led be the better choice in warm white or maybe the cool white color for living/ dining area.

what did you use and are you happy with them??

[badkat]

I think I saw Out of Doors Mart has a conversion kit to change those fixtures to led.

[dennis3751]

I like the 5050 in the warm white color. I'd use 3 or 4 strips the length of the fixture to get about the same brightness as the fluorescents give you.

Dennis

[AVDESIGN]

I bought a few rolls of the 5050 warm white and they worked great in converting the fluorescents in my 2006 classic to LED. I only used one strip but looped it around one full time. Basically it amounts to 2 full strips and a half circle on the end opposite the power hookup. They work better than the fluorescent when it's cold.

[Tim A.]

We used Illuminous T5 12" 12v LED tubes (http://www.eversale.com/catalog2_1/p...-1030vdc-p-299) to replace the fluorescent tubes in our lamps. Our lamps happen to be a German import we installed years ago, but the fluorescent tubes in them were the standard T5 12" tubes. We had used both white and warm white in the fluorescents. The Illuminous are said to be "neutral white" and that color seems to be about halfway between the white and warm white of the fluorescents and the LEDs are somewhat brighter than the fluorescent tubes.

We certainly like them, but it was necessary to rewire the fixtures to bypass the electronic ballast. The LED tubes run straight off the 12v system.

Tim

[A W Warn]

Would you mind posting a few photos, a list of materials, and some general instructions for what you did?

I've been looking at this video, trying to decide what to do to mine. I have 7 of these fixtures in my Excella.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlDGW2lPUkU

[cwf]

Made my own... From HitLights..5050's. 5000kelvin.... White.. Their 4000kelvin was
A tad more yellow.. Hardly noticeable difference. But the "lumens" they produce are Far greater than the cheaper ones.

We used 2, then 3... Settled on Four. Man do light up!! Also installed 4 strips under the stove hood of the 4000k. Momma like...

[dznf0g]

I also made my own, but I do not remember the temperature. I used warm in living areas and cool white over work areas like kitchen counter and a over fridge.

[cwf]

Here is room shot

[cwf]

Retry

[cwf]

Drat

Try these folks... From Louisiana...
https://www.hitlights.com

[carl2591]

Originally Posted by cwf

Retry

that what happens when you take picture when swinging for the rafters.. LOL

[HowieE]

Mine was a conversion of a 6 incandescent bulb fixture. Not sure of the temperature range of the LEDs I used, they weren't giving those numbers back then, but the conversion is quite easy and worked fine.

I used 3 strips for each side on the low power side of the switch and 2 more when the high side of the switch is on, total of 5 strips per side. If I were doing it again I would add another strip on both levels for some real punch.

Sorry but I did not take a picture of the larger fixtures when I did them.

On the smaller fixtures I drilled out the old sockets for room and a cleaner job.

[cwf]

Originally Posted by carl2591

that what happens when you take picture when swinging for the rafters.. LOL

Busted!!! You can do that in this baby!!!

[cwf]

Originally Posted by HowieE

Mine was a conversion of a 6 incandescent bulb fixture. Not sure of the temperature range of the LEDs I used, they weren't giving those numbers back then, but the conversion is quite easy and worked fine.

I used 3 strips for each side on the low power side of the switch and 2 more when the high side of the switch is on, total of 5 strips per side. If I were doing it again I would add another strip on both levels for some real punch.

Sorry but I did not take a picture of the larger fixtures when I did them.

On the smaller fixtures I drilled out the old sockets for room and a cleaner job.

That is clean, Howie!!!

[m.hony]

Originally Posted by cwf

Retry

Why is your trailer upside down?

[wheelygoode]

We bought inexpensive warm white LED tape online, put in a loop covering the area where the tubes were. Works fine. Not quite as bright, but the tubes were too bright, can count on one hand how many times we put those ceiling lights on! Much nicer now. We also put warm white LED flat bulbs in 3 of the fixtures, can't tell the difference. If you want brighter ceiling fixtures, you could put in 3 strands instead of two.

[cwf]

Originally Posted by m.hony

Why is your trailer upside down?

Guess I had it downside up to clean off the underbelly. 😜😜😜😜🙁😳

[Texastex]

I used a roll of about 15 feet of bright LEDs some nylon zips and clear box shipping tape. I used a Coleman cold solder to attach wires at the cut marks when necessary. By using the bright LEDs I could just use one strip per fluorescent bulb and they worked very well. I did all three bulbs in the living area in about an hour most of that time was learning to use the solder properly. I have a 1984 34 foot Excella and it has porthole windows above the fixtures which the lights shine up when the portholes covers are open. The other fixture I did was in the bedroom which also has a vent fan I just basically put one string of LEDs in a squarish circle around where the fluorescent bulbs used to be. I also had 8 inch fixtures and they bathroom that I used the switch after removing the bulbs and ballasts mechanism, I used a circular motion of LED lights while incorporated the original switch. All the LED replacements work great and as other light fixtures die out on me I am replacing them with LEDs. Good luck in your transformations.

[kleimanr]

Check this link out if you want to replace your tube light tubes with LED http://jirahled.com/ I used his LEDs in all my overhead tube lights. Easy to do. My 2006 Classic in now 100% LED