Hi, I think some of you will be interested in how I converted my RV lights to LED.
I initially tried 12 volt LED bulbs about 5 years go, and they were not satisfactory: they were expensive, didn't put out much light, and failed within a few hours due to over-heating problems. But now the technology has advanced significantly, and the current state-of-the-art multi-LED panels are truly amazing. I have converted every light in my Class C (even including the porch light, the range hood light, and the cab dome light) by retrofitting the existing fixtures with this technology. Basically I replaced each standard bayonet based incandescent bulb with a panel containing 48 SMD LEDs, arranged in a 6x8 array. These panels are available on eBay for less than $3 each including shipping -- you can find them by searching for "48 SMD White LED Light Panel".
The photo shows a typical light fixture after conversion. I just removed the incandescent bulbs and stuck the LED panels to the fixture. The panels come with double-backed foam tape on the back so they will self-stick, but I found the adhesive doesn't hold in the long-run, so I added a few dabs of silicone adhesive to the corners of the panels.
Many of the newer RV light fixtures use #921 wedge base bulbs, and the LED panels mentioned above come with an adapter for those so wiring is simple. Most older RV light fixtures (such as mine) use #1156 bayonet base bulbs, and there is no adapter included with the LED panels for those. So I cut the wedge base adapter off the wiring for the LED panels, and just soldered the wires to the appropriate places on the light fixture's bayonet bulb sockets.
How do these LED retrofitted lights work out? After about 8 months of use, I can say without reserve that they are FANTASTIC. Each panel puts out WAY MORE LIGHT than the incandescent bulbs they replaced, and they only use one-sixth the power (as measured with my digital amp meter: LED panel = .25A; incandescent bulb = 1.5A). Their published life is 20,000 hours and up. I have installed about 50 of these LED panels between my rig and my friends' rigs, and so far zero failures.
I even converted one of my florescent fixtures to this technology. I removed the twin 16 watt florescent tubes and the ballast, and pasted in 6 LED panels in their place (I added a toggle switch so I can use the LED panels 3 or 6 at a time). That light is great -- instant on, no flickering, and way more light than before.
Best wishes.....
PS: (Added on 3Apr12 edit) Check out the Red LED light I added on April Fools Day - details on Page 9 of this thread:
I initially tried 12 volt LED bulbs about 5 years go, and they were not satisfactory: they were expensive, didn't put out much light, and failed within a few hours due to over-heating problems. But now the technology has advanced significantly, and the current state-of-the-art multi-LED panels are truly amazing. I have converted every light in my Class C (even including the porch light, the range hood light, and the cab dome light) by retrofitting the existing fixtures with this technology. Basically I replaced each standard bayonet based incandescent bulb with a panel containing 48 SMD LEDs, arranged in a 6x8 array. These panels are available on eBay for less than $3 each including shipping -- you can find them by searching for "48 SMD White LED Light Panel".
The photo shows a typical light fixture after conversion. I just removed the incandescent bulbs and stuck the LED panels to the fixture. The panels come with double-backed foam tape on the back so they will self-stick, but I found the adhesive doesn't hold in the long-run, so I added a few dabs of silicone adhesive to the corners of the panels.
Many of the newer RV light fixtures use #921 wedge base bulbs, and the LED panels mentioned above come with an adapter for those so wiring is simple. Most older RV light fixtures (such as mine) use #1156 bayonet base bulbs, and there is no adapter included with the LED panels for those. So I cut the wedge base adapter off the wiring for the LED panels, and just soldered the wires to the appropriate places on the light fixture's bayonet bulb sockets.
How do these LED retrofitted lights work out? After about 8 months of use, I can say without reserve that they are FANTASTIC. Each panel puts out WAY MORE LIGHT than the incandescent bulbs they replaced, and they only use one-sixth the power (as measured with my digital amp meter: LED panel = .25A; incandescent bulb = 1.5A). Their published life is 20,000 hours and up. I have installed about 50 of these LED panels between my rig and my friends' rigs, and so far zero failures.
I even converted one of my florescent fixtures to this technology. I removed the twin 16 watt florescent tubes and the ballast, and pasted in 6 LED panels in their place (I added a toggle switch so I can use the LED panels 3 or 6 at a time). That light is great -- instant on, no flickering, and way more light than before.
Best wishes.....
PS: (Added on 3Apr12 edit) Check out the Red LED light I added on April Fools Day - details on Page 9 of this thread:
Moderator edit to re-size picture to forum limit of 640px maximum width to avoid scrolling.
Thanks for the kind words about starting this thread.... much appreciated.
I had an extra 2-bulb fixture laying around. Got to thinking it would be nice to add some "mood" lighting, so I ordered a couple of 48 LED colored panels - one red and one blue. The switch on the original fixture was a slider that had 3 positions: off, one light on, both lights on. I figured out how to modify the switch by clipping a couple of existing jumpers, and adding one new one, so it now has these functions: off, red LED panel only on, blue LED panel only on.
I mounted this fixture over the sofa next to a fixture with a white light. So now I can either use the normal white light, or for mood I can reach up and switch on either a red or a blue light. It is really pretty cool.
By the way the blue LED panel is much brighter that the red one. It turns out that the red one makes a really nice night light -- plenty of light to find the bathroom, but it is not so bright that it blinds you or others.
Photos below showing White, Red, and Blue LED lighting:
I also added a string of mixed color LED Christmas lights around the ceiling of the cab-over area. They are 120v instead of 12v so will just be used when hooked to shore power (which is most of the time for me). They also make a great mood light and are quite festive. Plus they are perfect as a background light while watching TV.
The red LED panel gave me an idea for another project. I think I will add an extra porch light, mount it near the existing one, and put a red LED panel in it.... it will be nice to have an alternate porch light that would give enough light to find my step and insert my key, yet not blind the neighbors. Hummmmm, if I add a red porch light, maybe I will have to recruit a string of young ladies to hire out. :W
Best wishes....
On Edit: Added Photos (taken with cell phone)
I had an extra 2-bulb fixture laying around. Got to thinking it would be nice to add some "mood" lighting, so I ordered a couple of 48 LED colored panels - one red and one blue. The switch on the original fixture was a slider that had 3 positions: off, one light on, both lights on. I figured out how to modify the switch by clipping a couple of existing jumpers, and adding one new one, so it now has these functions: off, red LED panel only on, blue LED panel only on.
I mounted this fixture over the sofa next to a fixture with a white light. So now I can either use the normal white light, or for mood I can reach up and switch on either a red or a blue light. It is really pretty cool.
By the way the blue LED panel is much brighter that the red one. It turns out that the red one makes a really nice night light -- plenty of light to find the bathroom, but it is not so bright that it blinds you or others.
Photos below showing White, Red, and Blue LED lighting:
I also added a string of mixed color LED Christmas lights around the ceiling of the cab-over area. They are 120v instead of 12v so will just be used when hooked to shore power (which is most of the time for me). They also make a great mood light and are quite festive. Plus they are perfect as a background light while watching TV.
The red LED panel gave me an idea for another project. I think I will add an extra porch light, mount it near the existing one, and put a red LED panel in it.... it will be nice to have an alternate porch light that would give enough light to find my step and insert my key, yet not blind the neighbors. Hummmmm, if I add a red porch light, maybe I will have to recruit a string of young ladies to hire out. :W
Best wishes....
On Edit: Added Photos (taken with cell phone)
1rosario wrote:
My Bathroom Vanity Has these:
What are your ideas for these "deco" bulbs?
TIA!
Pretty hard to give advice without knowing what base your bulbs have.
Grillmeister wrote:1rosario wrote:
My Bathroom Vanity Has these:
What are your ideas for these "deco" bulbs?
TIA!
I am waiting for some ideas on this one too.
A home built rectangular oak box with a translucant lens and 3 or 4 24/50-50 panels would do nicely, I think.
If too bright, some say they're dimmable
NetBoy: We too, thank you for this thread. As with others, your thread with all it's informative posts, started my winter dulled brain into a higher gear.
I've ordered a small qty. of 48-3528's / 4x5(20) 5050's / 3x8(24)5050's to test brightness levels and try them in differing locations thru-out the trailer.
1rosario wrote:
My Bathroom Vanity Has these:
What are your ideas for these "deco" bulbs?
TIA!
I am waiting for some ideas on this one too.
