We are looking to replace the LED lights we bought for our RV. I think they are 6000K and seem bluish to me. They were inexpensive and bought from Amazon. I have found a supplier -- M4 Products -- that carries 5500 (called cool), 4500 (called natural) and 3200 (called warm). The bulbs are $13 each. I am leaning toward the 4500 because I like a white light but not the bluish tint. My husband is voting for the 3200 bulbs. If anyone has experience or advise in this area, I would appreciate the input. Also if you have used this supplier or can recommend another comments would be appreciated.

color tempAs you can see from the table, sunlight is around 5000-6000K, I've seen 5700 K used. Some LED lamps will have a CRI rating (color rendering index) and the closer that is to 100 the closer that lamp is to real sunlight. Anything in the mid 90's is good. However a lot of people are used to incandescent lamps which have a distinctly yellow cast and so a bulb designed to match sunlight will seem to be blue to them.All this comes down to what you like, if you are happier with 4500 K lamps then get them. I got a 5700 K 100 W bulb from Home Depot, Phillips brand, for $10 a few days ago. That's my price point.

4000-4500 is a bright, white, pleasing light to me. Cheaper bulbs do not tolerate higher DC voltages when your converter decides to do that.

Depending on the fixture there is stage light film that you can put in front of the bulb to warm up the light. I did that on the boat and on the puck lights in our kitchen in the SB. I ordered a sheet of this. Got a 1/4 rating as you can stack it 1, 2, 3 or 4 layers. I think I ended up with 2 layers on both, but rather than just order 1/2 I would get the 1/4 rating.http://www.pnta.com/video/filters-gels/color-correction/cinegel-3409-roscosun-1-4-cto/Chris

I like the 4000 degree lamps also, but if you want to match any existing incandescent lamps in your camper, use the 3200 degree LEDs.I have some of the 1156-24-5050-WW (1141) Warm White 5050 SMD LED 3200 degree replacements from M4. They work well and match well.Good service from them also.

I don't know if they all do, but our Home Depot has a display in their lightbulb area that has LEDs with different temperature ratings. You can switch between them to see which color temperature you like best.

Question about Kelvin temp of LED lights | Good Sam Community

SoundGuy
Explorer
Nov 09, 2015
joanw2947 wrote:
I'll look at the vendors mentioned in the posts. It helps to know vendors that others have used.

I've had 16 SMD5050 921 warm white (3200 K) LED bulbs from this offshore vendor in my trailer for two years now and couldn't be happier with them. ~ 300 lumens apiece, clean bright light, don't interfere with the radio, no failures at all, and a reasonable price. :B
Snowman9000
Explorer
Nov 09, 2015
I have had good luck with the same Chinese ebay vendor linked to by IAMICHABOD. I order the warm white lights and they are only very slightly cooler than incandescent.
joanw2947
Explorer
Nov 09, 2015
Thanks so much for your comments. I appreciate your taking the time to share information with me. I will probably buy one 4000 to try and then move to 3200 if it is still too blue. I'll look at the vendors mentioned in the posts. It helps to know vendors that others have used.
Ivylog
Explorer III
Nov 08, 2015
eBay for less than $2 in warm white is what I use inside. Outside I'll use 5000. Buy one of each temp and see which you like. No need to spend $10+ for a led bulb... Mine are five years old X 30+ of them.

5050 LEDs run much cooler than 5630... 200+ degrees compared to 115 or less.
CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Nov 08, 2015
M4 Product bulbs are regulated so that there is no problem with voltage variations which helps explain the higher cost. We have the NW (natural white) or 4500 Kevin Elite series with the brighter 5630 LED's. His Fluke measured amps was accurate and was helpful to me.
IAMICHABOD
Explorer II
Nov 08, 2015
Having tried a few in different ranges I decided on This One

The warm white seems more pleasing and not as harsh as the others.With plenty light to do all tasks and reading.

I have used This vendor several times and found their products to be of very good quality and the shipping is very fast,last one came in 5 days.
PRodacy
Explorer
Nov 08, 2015
I don't know if they all do, but our Home Depot has a display in their lightbulb area that has LEDs with different temperature ratings. You can switch between them to see which color temperature you like best.
Hiking_Hunter
Explorer
Nov 08, 2015
I like the 4000 degree lamps also, but if you want to match any existing incandescent lamps in your camper, use the 3200 degree LEDs.

I have some of the 1156-24-5050-WW (1141) Warm White 5050 SMD LED 3200 degree replacements from M4. They work well and match well.

Good service from them also.
Me_Again
Explorer III
Nov 08, 2015
Depending on the fixture there is stage light film that you can put in front of the bulb to warm up the light. I did that on the boat and on the puck lights in our kitchen in the SB.

I ordered a sheet of this. Got a 1/4 rating as you can stack it 1, 2, 3 or 4 layers. I think I ended up with 2 layers on both, but rather than just order 1/2 I would get the 1/4 rating.

http://www.pnta.com/video/filters-gels/color-correction/cinegel-3409-roscosun-1-4-cto/

Chris
2oldman
Explorer II
Nov 08, 2015
4000-4500 is a bright, white, pleasing light to me. Cheaper bulbs do not tolerate higher DC voltages when your converter decides to do that.