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DreamCatcha's avatar
DreamCatcha
Explorer
Apr 27, 2014

AC/DC 12-28V,or DC 12V

Hello All!
New guy Round the way, with new guy questions :S

So I've tried reading a few of the 'Understanding your RV's electrical systems'
But can't quite come to a definite answer, I guess not without asking and making sure.
I'm pretty sure it's always DC 12V butttt idk, I'm trying to purchase LED bulb replacements, made the mistake and ordered bulbs that fit 1142, that have both positive and negative contact points. Didn't work.
I know my bulbs are 1141, with only one contact point. When I told the bulb dealer this (online/oversea shopping) he asked me if it was "AC/DC 12-28V,or DC 12V."
And that just threw me through a loop. Anyways, I feel like this is something that I should know and don't.. I guess we all learn somewhere. RV.Net might just be the place for me.
Thanks in advance!
Yo.
Class C
  • mlts22's avatar
    mlts22
    Explorer
    Apr 28, 2014
    I'd go with the 12-28 volt units, or even better, 9-30 VDC bulbs. I've seen power on the 12 volt side go to 14.5 volts and down near 11 volts, so having a built in regulator will help big time.

    The trick is to cover the main range that the batteries will be outputting, and that will be 10-17 volts (10 volts when the batteries are almost dead, 17 volts if the charger decides to equalize, but usually in the 12-15 volt range.)
  • time2roll's avatar
    time2roll
    Nomad
    Apr 28, 2014
    pianotuna wrote:
    Some led's are extremely sensitive to over voltage. I would go with the 12-28 volt units.
    +1 on this

    I think mine are rated 9 to 30 vdc/vac. These type have better voltage regulation.
  • tenbear's avatar
    tenbear
    Explorer
    Apr 28, 2014
    The AC/DC 12-28 volt bulbs have more circuitry in them than the 12v bulbs. They have a bridge rectifier and a voltage regulator built into the bulb. They cost a little more because of the added circuitry.

    Either bulb works the same on 12v. The AC/DC 12-28 volt bulbs are more tolerant of voltages over 12v and some people think they will last longer in an RV environment where the voltage may rise as high as the low 14 volt range. I personally have had no problems with the 12v bulbs.

    The AC/DC makes the bulb not polarity dependent. You probably will never require this feature.

    FWIW, the 1141 bulb has a BA14S base. The 1142 bulb has a BA15D base. Neither one will work in place of the other.

    Here is a good site to identify light bulbs.
  • ronfisherman's avatar
    ronfisherman
    Moderator
    Apr 28, 2014
    I started replacing my bulbs with LED's over 5 years ago. Those ordinal bulbs are still in the MH. They are all 12 VDC.
    I have some AC/DC 12-28 volt bulbs. They are used in landscape lights around our house. The AC/DC bulbs have a converter in them to convert AC voltage to DC at LED's. They will work in either application and polarity.
    Your 1142 fixtures may be wired improperly. Causing the 12 VDC bulbs to not work properly. Check fixture with a volt meter. Center pin should be positive.
  • DreamCatcha's avatar
    DreamCatcha
    Explorer
    Apr 28, 2014
    Oh no' don't do this to me..
    12-28 would be a stronger led? But run the same on my 12v?
    Do led's tend to go out in rvs? I felt that they would last, well years..
  • pianotuna's avatar
    pianotuna
    Nomad III
    Apr 28, 2014
    Hi,

    Some led's are extremely sensitive to over voltage. I would go with the 12-28 volt units.

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