Thin-Lite LED light fixture?

pianotuna wrote:
Hi, Is it lighting all of the leds when on the dim setting?

Yup, all 72 LEDs are lit when either dim or bright.

Hi,

Is it lighting all of the leds when on the dim setting?

Having the switch on the fixture is NOT going to work for my family. (Fine for me but the rest of them could not reach the fixture.)

pianotuna wrote:
I admit the idea of being able to dim the light would be an asset. Does this require rewiring the switch? Or is there some sort of control right on the fixture?

It installed exactly like the old fluorescent fixture - connect the two wires and screw the fixture under the cabinet and you're done! The switch (located on the end of the fixture) looks like a standard toggle switch. But it's operation is more like a momentary switch - that is, you only depress one side of the toggle lever/button and it immediately "springs-back".

Each depress of the switch cycles through 3 settings - 1) On/Dim 2) On/Bright and 3) Off. The dim setting seems to be at least 90% as bright as the old 2 fluorescent lamps - and the bright setting is really, really bright - like operating room bright! Simply amazing to have that much light while consuming so little power!

My biggest problem is that I have four twin fluorescent lights. Only one of the four gets used on a regular basis. They are ten years old and so far there are no failures. I can not justify replacement until there is at least a tube failure.

I was an early adopter for led and have been using them for 13 years.

I admit the idea of being able to dim the light would be an asset. Does this require rewiring the switch? Or is there some sort of control right on the fixture?

profdant139 wrote:
Pianotuna makes an interesting point -- is this fill-in-the-blank really necessary right now?

Necessary? No, but it turned out to be a great improvement. As I mentioned, the old fluorescent lamps needed replacement and that would have cost around $25 for two tubes. So decided instead to put the $25 toward the cost of the LED upgrade. And boy am I glad I did! It's an absolute joy every time I punch the switch and the light comes on instantly - and when I punch it again the brightness is incredible! Trust me, with my poor eyesight this is a real blessing.

Pianotuna makes an interesting point -- is this fill-in-the-blank really necessary right now? I suffer from "upgrade-itis," always wanting the latest and greatest. DW is my real-world anchor, asking do we really need it? How much electricity will we save, vs. the up-front cost? Will the price come down when this latest whizbang is no longer bleeding-edge technology?

It stings a little when she's right, as she often is. (Thankfully, she is very polite and diplomatic about it.)

Harvey51 wrote:
I wonder why the power for the LED varies so much? LEDs with no voltage regulation certainly draw a lot more power at higher voltage. Our cheapo $3 LED panels draw 7 times less current than incandescents on 12.6 V battery power and they are barely warm to the touch. But on shore power the voltage goes up to 13.6, the LEDs draw three times as much current and they get HOT! No doubt it greatly reduces their lifetime. If I was paying $80 a fixture, I would expect and demand voltage regulation to eliminate the problem.

Thin-Lite’s PREMIUM LEDs have "over voltage regulation" and I've had no problem when plugged into AC power. I'm loving my new light fixture and really glad I spent the big $$$ instead of some cheapo upgrade! Couldn't be happier!

Thin-Lite’s PREMIUM LEDs feature:
Operate at 30% or 100% brightness to extend battery life.
300% more light at 1/3 the amp draw of incandescent dome light.
66% more light at 1/3 the amp draw of fluorescent fixtures.
Operates from -40°F to 212°F and LEDs reach full brightness in seconds.
Input Voltage: 8VDC – 30VDC.
Reverse Polarity Protection: Yes.
Over Voltage Protection: Yes.
LED Life: 100,000 hours.
Remote switching and dimming: Operates with wall mounted switch, specifications available for LED rated switch.
Maintenance: No lamps to replace.
Warranty: 3 years.

This is Thin-Lite's LED version of the popular fluorescent model 626 and P2626 lights.
Amp draw of 0.40 to 1.25 amps (4.32 to 14.4 watts), lumen output of 720 to 2400 lumens.
Note: the standard fluorescent model 626 draws 2.2 amps and outputs 1650 lumens.

I wonder why the power for the LED varies so much? LEDs with no voltage regulation certainly draw a lot more power at higher voltage. Our cheapo $3 LED panels draw 7 times less current than incandescents on 12.6 V battery power and they are barely warm to the touch. But on shore power the voltage goes up to 13.6, the LEDs draw three times as much current and they get HOT! No doubt it greatly reduces their lifetime. If I was paying $80 a fixture, I would expect and demand voltage regulation to eliminate the problem.

Incidentally, i recently learned that the price of T8 fluorescent bulbs is far lower when I buy them by the boxful at Home Depot. And a four foot fixture with electronic ballast is about $30. I am replacing the old ballasts in our house as quickly as I can because the electronic ones are more efficient, never buzz, handle cold much better and they don't have that nasty tar that sometimes leaks. I find it is no more expensive to replace the whole fixture.

pianotuna wrote:
Hi unbob,

I'm sure the led's will work well for you. Alas my pocket book says "wait until one burns out", and I've got four fixtures to "do".

Well, I have one burned-out now and the other one is rapidly fading. Replacement would cost me about $26 for two tubes. So decided this is a good time to switch to LED. All my other lights in my RV have been previously upgraded to LEDs and I love it! Plus, I like these other benefits as well:

• Mercury Free – Environmentally friendly and require no recycling fees.
  
• Directional Lighting – Most have 180 degree direction, which results in less lost light as compared to the fluorescent’s 360 degrees.
  
• Dimmable – Many fluorescents are expensive to dim and do so poorly. LED’s on the other hand have excellent dimming capability.
  
• Controls- Flourescent lamps do burn out faster the more times they are turned on and off (occupancy sensors). LED lamps on the other hand can be turned on/off as many times as you would like without affecting the life.

Hi unbob,

I'm sure the led's will work well for you. Alas my pocket book says "wait until one burns out", and I've got four fixtures to "do".