How to change a light bulb??? Am I crazy?

[aliceblois]

We have a 2015 International 23FB and the LED light is out over the sink.

We tried to replace with a new LED but wrong light. This one won't plug in. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

We took it all apart and it comes down to the whole unit is hard wired in and soldered and the whole unit needs to be replaced. Don't see any way to just replace the LED unit.

So looks like we have to buy this, cut the wires to the dead light and connect this new unit up. https://led4rv.com/catalog/index.php...roducts_id=557

Are we crazy? This seems like a really complicated way to replace a light bulb. (Yes, I know it's not a bulb--just being a cranky old fashioned person).

[B. Cole]

Another old cranky person here Its called planned obsolescence.
Why let you simply replace a bulb in the most $$$ trailers made, when they can make some people ( a lot of these owners) have never cut a wire,
so...
make them bring it to the "Dreaded authorized Airstream dealer"
Or, even better, the "Mothership" lol

[panamerican]

...and if that's not enough, the light becomes discontinued and you cannot find a direct replacement.

Interesting that there appears to be no chafing type protection for those wires coming though a quasi sharp opening.

[aliceblois]

Sounds like we are not crazy and are on the right track. Will proceed as planned. Just needed confirmation that we weren't missing something obvious. Thank you thank you!!

[uncle_bob]

Hi

It's not just RV's that are getting done this way. Buy a newly built home and you may well find that the ceiling lights are done the same way ....

Bob

[PC Conner]

This is part of the environmental conspiracy: much more environmental waste and dangerous metals with replacing an LED fixture vs replacing a bulb. It will only get worse.

[DaveG]

Average life of a LED bulb is something in the order of +50,000 hours. Guessing the choice was based on the likelihood of the bulb requiring replacement and production cost. (Two wire hookup, three wire mess up, four wires take it in and have it done )

[SSquared]

The problem is, those "50,000 hour" LEDs don't really last as long as expected.
The interior lights in my 0213 25FB have all been fine, but I've had five of the 11 outside running lights fail, plus one of the stop/tail lights, and a second stop/tail light is acting up. (no sign of water damage in any of them, btw)

[RFP]

Originally Posted by aliceblois

We have a 2015 International 23FB and the LED light is out over the sink.

We tried to replace with a new LED but wrong light. This one won't plug in. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

We took it all apart and it comes down to the whole unit is hard wired in and soldered and the whole unit needs to be replaced. Don't see any way to just replace the LED unit.

So looks like we have to buy this, cut the wires to the dead light and connect this new unit up. https://led4rv.com/catalog/index.php...roducts_id=557

Are we crazy? This seems like a really complicated way to replace a light bulb. (Yes, I know it's not a bulb--just being a cranky old fashioned person).

OK, on the assumption that the new LEDs would fit inside the 'fixture' you have, I would bet lunch for the rest of your natural life that the LEDs that you bought from Amazon could be adapted to fit. A little creativity and basic soldering and you're back in business.

Heck, send it to me and I'll make it work for you!

[ROBERT CROSS]

Another one of my numb questions....is the line hot?
Don't go thru the replacement and then find out...

Bob
🇺🇸

[guskmg]

Select the color of light you want, go online and find a roll of LEDs, about $15. Cut the length you need at the marked location, and pencil solder some leads to the indicated terminals. Then pull off the adhesive protection and fasten to where you want it. I have done them and they are still going strong. You can wire them wrong, pay attention to polarity and swap the leads is necessary to get them to light.
guskmg

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by SSquared

The problem is, those "50,000 hour" LEDs don't really last as long as expected.
The interior lights in my 0213 25FB have all been fine, but I've had five of the 11 outside running lights fail, plus one of the stop/tail lights, and a second stop/tail light is acting up. (no sign of water damage in any of them, btw)

Hi

We had multiple LED lights fail inside our Classic. The aftermarket converter charger blew out and it's output went to 20V (after the fuse to the battery blew). That did not do the lights any good.

I would check the power to your running lights if you are blowing out a lot of them .....

Bob

[Northerngirl]

Originally Posted by uncle_bob

Hi

It's not just RV's that are getting done this way. Buy a newly built home and you may well find that the ceiling lights are done the same way ....

Bob

Very true. At the advise of my electrician I have a box of spare LED recessed ceiling lights so I am not having to replace 20 to keep them all matching if one fails and the originals are discontinued.

Even more import point to consider when picking very expensive LEd pendent lights for your kitchen if you have a row of more than 2 of them. If one fails you going to find you need to buy 4 new ones in order to keep them all matching.

[Foiled Again]

Originally Posted by SSquared

The problem is, those "50,000 hour" LEDs don't really last as long as expected.
The interior lights in my 0213 25FB have all been fine, but I've had five of the 11 outside running lights fail, plus one of the stop/tail lights, and a second stop/tail light is acting up. (no sign of water damage in any of them, btw)

Made me think. I have a 2012, and full-time. Never had an interior bulb fail. Have replaced 2 or 3 of the running lights outside, water got into at least one. The red or yellow lenses because cloudy as the plastic degraded so perhaps that ought to be a mass replacement item once every 7 years or so.

Now watch 5 interior bulbs go Poof Just because I bragged. Murphy's Law.

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by Northerngirl

Very true. At the advise of my electrician I have a box of spare LED recessed ceiling lights so I am not having to replace 20 to keep them all matching if one fails and the originals are discontinued.

Even more import point to consider when picking very expensive LEd pendent lights for your kitchen if you have a row of more than 2 of them. If one fails you going to find you need to buy 4 new ones in order to keep them all matching.

Hi

There are 18 ceiling lights in the family room / kitchen here. If one does not match you notice it quickly. When the backup supply of bulbs runs out, it is indeed a fun project to replace them all. It's not just about color temperature. There is a lot of variation from manufacturer to manufacturer even at a specific rating.

One *might* want to stock up on some spares for the trailer while they still are making the lights the same way.

Bob