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Old 03-26-2012, 02:58 PM   #1
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2012 27' FB Classic
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Converting to LED lights - 2011

Do you have a good source for LED lights? What is the best source for price?
What is the best source to convert the description # on the existing bulb for its LED counterpart?
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Old 03-26-2012, 03:09 PM   #2
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Hi Airtrekker

Welcome to the forums.

Here's a discussion:

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f447...des-88369.html

In the Classic you will probably find that there's no reason to replace the fluorescent lights with LEDs as it isn't much of an upgrade. I put in higher output tubes, with whiter light, than the cheapo factory ones.

The only real candidates for LEDs are the range hood and the shower light, and maybe the baggage compartment lights if you use those. The tri-arm dinette fixture, and the reading lights, are unlikely to look good with LED conversions.

Some people have changed to LEDs for the scare light (porch light) but I haven't yet since the available choices appear to be expensive or have a short life, or both.
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Old 03-26-2012, 03:53 PM   #3
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See www.led4rv.com for pretty good pricing and free shipping. We just changed out several flourescents in our Classic i.e. the kitchen under-cabinet, over the sofa, bathroom and the one ceiling light that turns on when we enter the trailer. Each fixture can easily be converted in ten or fifteen minutes once you do the first one.
IF you boondock/dry camp changing over will help conserve battery power. In our case, we just like a bit more lighting when we read, work in the bathroom and so on.
We used the white LEDs and will see how that goes over time; however, most women prefer the softer LEDs that are more the tint of the flourescent tubes. Good luck with whatever you decide.
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Old 03-26-2012, 04:31 PM   #4
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Very happy with LEDs 4, Recreational Vehicles. Good and fast service.
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Old 03-26-2012, 04:37 PM   #5
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If you are upgrading your 2012, be cautious of some of the eBay cheap LED's. They work fine, but some are polarity sensitive, and in my Airstream, the lights were not wired consistently as far as polarity. Perhaps in the newer ones they pay more attention this this... for incandescences it doesn't matter... for LED it does. The polarity independent LED's are more money... perhaps these are getting cheaper as well.

I paid about $3 per light on eBay... had to switch the wiring on about 1/4 of my lights. I'm not sure it was worth the trouble... it looks neat I guess, but the lights don't really suck a ton of power to begin with. It was more a project of boredom for me.
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Old 03-26-2012, 11:43 PM   #6
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Yes! Thank you all. Perhaps I do NOT need or even want LED's. Or perhaps I will replace only a few. It is an item on my preparation list but based on your feedback this is something I should postpone until I gain some personal experience on my own usage. Thanks!!!
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Old 03-27-2012, 05:08 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Airtrekker View Post
Yes! Thank you all. Perhaps I do NOT need or even want LED's. Or perhaps I will replace only a few. It is an item on my preparation list but based on your feedback this is something I should postpone until I gain some personal experience on my own usage. Thanks!!!

Makes sense.....I started with the frequently used interior lights first. All the halogen high draw bulbs, the hood lamp above the stove then the step and porch lights. These changes helped the battery life while off grid considerably.
Still using the incan's for all the remaining exterior as they are only in use while the system is being charged.

Bob
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Old 03-27-2012, 07:37 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS View Post
Makes sense.....I started with the frequently used interior lights first. All the halogen high draw bulbs, the hood lamp above the stove then the step and porch lights. These changes helped the battery life while off grid considerably.
Still using the incan's for all the remaining exterior as they are only in use while the system is being charged.
Keep in mind though that current production trailers come stock with an LED step light, as well as (for what it's worth) LED running, tail, and turn lights.
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Old 03-27-2012, 09:10 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Airtrekker View Post
Do you have a good source for LED lights? What is the best source for price?
What is the best source to convert the description # on the existing bulb for its LED counterpart?
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Old 10-16-2012, 07:19 PM   #10
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On the 2013 the scare light and running lights are LEDs.
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Old 10-16-2012, 07:42 PM   #11
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I changed out the range hood light with an LED array and that was well worth the trouble. It really does some good now.

I have changed out the three most frequently-used fluorescents; bathroom, bedroom, and galley sink. They are much brighter than the tubes and come on instantly. I still want to change out the fluorescent in the lounge. There are four other florescent fixtures, but they are rarely used and will never be changed.

Long ago, I mounted spotlights on the valences in the lounge for reading. They were very hot and real power hogs. I recently replaced the spotlight bulbs with LEDs and the result was excellent.
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Old 10-16-2012, 09:15 PM   #12
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John,

would you tell us what lamps you used on the hood light, and on the spotlights?

thanks!
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Old 10-16-2012, 09:27 PM   #13
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[QUOTE=jm2;1216369]John,

would you tell us what lamps you used on the hood light, and on the spotlights?

thanks! [/QUOTE
On the hood light, I used an array of LEDs that I bought at the store at the Airstream factory. As I remember, the array was about 6x6 or 7x7 LEDs on an odd mount. I had to make a mount for the array. It is mounted on a piece of LEXAN that fits where the plastic over the old light was.

The spotlights came from LED4RV, a vendor that advertises on this forum. I went to their site and did a search for reading lights. I found the replacement for the bulb type there. I don't remember the bulb number.]
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Old 05-30-2013, 10:50 AM   #14
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I just refitted all my fluorescent fixtures with LED. See here: LED’s again | Nuestra casa rodante - Our Airstream, travels and such...

As far as light output I don't see a difference but you should see a difference in cold weather as the LED's will fire right up.

I also replaced the halogen puck lights with LED replacement's. Purchased those.

The BIG help is replacing that miniscule bulb over the stove with a large LED array!!

Roger
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Old 05-30-2013, 11:17 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by m.hony View Post
On the 2013 the scare light and running lights are LEDs.
The retro tear drop style LED running lights look awesome at night. The interior fluorescents provide excellent light. I can see much better in the trailer than in the house. I wonder if the mirror being angled makes it easier to see.
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Old 05-30-2013, 11:44 AM   #16
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The retro tear drop style LED running lights look awesome at night. The interior fluorescents provide excellent light. I can see much better in the trailer than in the house. I wonder if the mirror being angled makes it easier to see.
I too do love the running lights. One night as we were towing it home it was dark and rainy. Sure lit it up good!
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Old 05-31-2013, 03:02 AM   #17
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I too do love the running lights. One night as we were towing it home it was dark and rainy. Sure lit it up good!
I have pictures of mine at dusk with the lights on. I cannot figure out how to post a picture on here- or how to change my profile to include a picture of truck 'n' trailer or add a description of the tow vehicle...
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Old 05-31-2013, 04:48 AM   #18
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Replaced all running and interior lighting with LEDS on our '74 International from Dan Brown at LED4RV. Dan was very helpful with the technical and installation information. Also replaced the 3 ceiling light covers which made a world of difference.
www.LED4RV.com
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Old 06-07-2013, 06:20 AM   #19
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Here she is all lit up:
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Old 06-08-2013, 11:11 AM   #20
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Nice pics but photos don't do it justice. Have to see it in real life.

You can always build a plug to just turn on your running lights when at a site without your tow vehicle plugged in. I have done so and it is pretty easy. Here is a thread: http://www.airforums.com/forums/f447...-on-35681.html
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