My LEDs
FYI: I have been posting updates for those of us who have already read the OP below. For anyone new to the thread, it might be best to skip down below all of these updates, read the body of the post...
Forum Discussion
I have been experimenting with LEDs for about seven years. All of my exterior lights are LED, including the taillights. I have installed the LED boards in all of my interior light fixtures, including the refrigerator. I am not sure about the exterior LEDs, but all interior are 9 to 30 volts costing $10 to $12 each.
Through the years using LEDs, I have only replaced four interior LEDs and no exterior LEDs. I ordered direct from Hong Kong (e-bay). Great service. They cost less than $2 each, were 12-volt. There was no mention of 9 to 30 volts.
I typically leave two to four LEDs on while my TC is stored. I do not recall ever turning the porch light off. I have done this for years. I installed four of the $2 LEDs in place of the $12 ones, left them on 24/7. In less than two weeks, each of them had LEDs burned out. I am of the belief it is due to the voltage of my TC system exceeding 12 volts. Between my solar and three stage Iota, my Tri-Metric indicated my voltage reached as much as 15 volts. The high voltage has never had any adverse effects with the 9-30 volt LEDs.
My conclusion is the 12 volt LEDs will last only a short while. The higher the voltage, quicker they burn out. They do not burn out like an incandescent bulb, but LEDs will simply drop off one at a time. I think the $2 LEDs have their application, but not in as a main light in an RV. My refrigerator $2 LED still works fine, but really not on very often. Bottom line is that if it is not identified as 9 to 30 volts, I will not put it in my TC as a primary light. A refrigerator, maybe reading light, closet light and that is about it.
Wayne
Through the years using LEDs, I have only replaced four interior LEDs and no exterior LEDs. I ordered direct from Hong Kong (e-bay). Great service. They cost less than $2 each, were 12-volt. There was no mention of 9 to 30 volts.
I typically leave two to four LEDs on while my TC is stored. I do not recall ever turning the porch light off. I have done this for years. I installed four of the $2 LEDs in place of the $12 ones, left them on 24/7. In less than two weeks, each of them had LEDs burned out. I am of the belief it is due to the voltage of my TC system exceeding 12 volts. Between my solar and three stage Iota, my Tri-Metric indicated my voltage reached as much as 15 volts. The high voltage has never had any adverse effects with the 9-30 volt LEDs.
My conclusion is the 12 volt LEDs will last only a short while. The higher the voltage, quicker they burn out. They do not burn out like an incandescent bulb, but LEDs will simply drop off one at a time. I think the $2 LEDs have their application, but not in as a main light in an RV. My refrigerator $2 LED still works fine, but really not on very often. Bottom line is that if it is not identified as 9 to 30 volts, I will not put it in my TC as a primary light. A refrigerator, maybe reading light, closet light and that is about it.
Wayne
