LED Marker Conversion Question
I'm sure this has been asked in the past, but I can't seem to find it. I am attempting to replace my marker lights on my 5th wheel trailer with LEDs. They are command AP2-00 style. I went to camping ...
Forum Discussion
ScottG wrote:
You will be sorely disappointing by those cheap LEDs.
First of all you need to use colored LED's and second of all they won't be nearly bright enough to work. And third, the LED's are too long for the fixture.
BTDT and I have a bag full of useless LEDs to prove it.
The original incandescent light bulbs used in markers ARE NOT "colored" so really a white LED could be used. The only real reason to use colored LEDs is they tend to be much cheaper to manufacture than white LEDs and hence are cheaper to purchase.
Markers also do NOT NOT NEED to be super "bright", in fact you NEED TO BE CAREFUL of getting the markers TOO BRIGHT. There are very clear and explicit DOT regulations which originate from Federal regulations on how bright they should be.
Replacing the marker bulb with a LED that is too bright will void the DOT acceptance and in some cases (like my state) will not pass the state inspection.
Best bet is to check the original bulb brightness in lumens and compare the LED lumens. Your replacement LED should only be about the same brightness of the original. Exceeding the brightness is not always a good thing..
You should do a side by side comparison, put a LED in one marker which is close to another marker with the OEM bulb. If the LED is of similar brightness then you are good to go, if not then pass and find a different one.
Matching the lumens will get you in the ball park.
