Water-Bug wrote:
LED lights make sense for an RV used for boondocking, to extend battery charge. However on a vehicle that normally has an alternator idleing, they don't conserve enough energy to warrant the replacement cost. You can buy a ton of 12 volt incondescent bulbs for the cost of a LED replacement. It's a gimick. :)
I wouldn't call LED lights a gimmick. They have distinct advantages over incandescent bulbs
1) significantly lower current draw
2) little or no heat generation
3) usually much brighter
4) instant on/off - useful for brake lights and turn signals
5) much longer life
Yes, the power savings on a vehicle would be negligible in terms of cost. However, I replaced all 17 clearance lights, the tail lights, and the interior lights on my enclosed cargo trailer with LEDs. The entire trailer now pulls a total of 1 amp.
And from a safety standpoint, the LED tail lights on my truck are extremely bright. There's no doubt, even in near-whiteout conditions, that I've hit my brakes.