Roof vents and LED bulbs

[Jerry_L]

I have few questions for the good folks who belong to RV Net form.
1) Anyone have experience with the roof top vents on 5th wheels? I've been thinking of purchasing two for my fifth wheel but don’t know if it would be worth the money. Advertisements for roof vents state, vents can be left open while driving for air circulation that would allow the trailer to remain cool. Is this just B.S. hype or does it actually do what they advertise?
2) Also been thinking of replacing the interior bulbs of my 5th wheel with LED’s. Are they worth the expense? I have read reviews on LED’s and the major complaint is the “flickering” after a minimal use. Anyone have similar experience?

[4x4FF]

Just putting my $.02 in here:

Vent covers=worth every penny...hands down...end of story. I leave the vents open any time and the entire time my 5er is in storage. Helps keep it ventilated and aired out.

LED Lights=also worth every penny. I found the following vendor from a user on a forum and bought a set. All I can say is wow. The link is the warm white ones. I put the bright white ones in our lights in the bedroom and its almost like a stadium at night. Don't get me wrong I like it but it is bright. In fact the first day when I installed them my wife went to the bedroom after dark and actually screamed a bit when she first turned on the lights cause the startled her being so bright...lol. Price isn't bad either....replace 10 bulbs for $16 something. here is the link: Ebay LED Warm Lights

[chrisncary]

I take online reviews on a site like Amazon or eBay with a grain of salt. A couple reports of hot bulbs? Could be bad bulbs - could equally be someone plugged into a hot pedastal. I've seen some hokey RV setups and never know what someone else is running or deems acceptable.

I have clean power coming in, and see hardly any fluctuation on output voltage. I have sat with a voltmeter and looked at what my coach does, especially when high amp devices kick on (like A/C). But then again, i'm far more concerned about my computer equipment than $20 of LED bulbs.

My opinion is it ain't the bulbs. YMMV - if you don't do your homework on the front side, be prepared to live with the consequences on the backside.

[bpounds]

chrisncary wrote:
I got these off Amazon because of the reviews. Not a lick of trouble with them, and color is real close to the original incandescent heat machines. Inverter fan doesn't even kick on with every light running in the place. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EKN8FXC/

Interesting that the first LED you linked to, warns against using it in an RV, or anything above 13V. And an RV will be above 13V most of the time. Obviously yours are working, but it may be a concern.

[chrisncary]

I got these off Amazon because of the reviews. Not a lick of trouble with them, and color is real close to the original incandescent heat machines. Inverter fan doesn't even kick on with every light running in the place. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EKN8FXC/

Had a couple fixtures that needed 360° light shining, so I got these http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EDFM6R8

All running great after 4 months full timing. Something of note - the wedge bases on the LEDs is a little thicker that the el cheapos that were in there. Takes a fair amount of pressure to pop them in first time. Be careful, don't bend the paddle on the led light, and you'll be fine. I suspect some of the flickering complaints are as a result of folks manhandling the LEDs on install.

I also did a MaxxAir II smoke vent cover last November here http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002OW5J44 . Took 15 min to install - very worth it. I don't leave it open in transit, but good to be able to ventilate bathroom when its raining.

In case you haven't noticed, I love Amazon. Dont get me wrong, i love Tweety's too, just sometimes they dont get there on price. Am not affiliated with either BTW. This has been the year of the upgrades for me. New 5er, new truck, and commenced to changing parts.

ETA: fix links

[JerryBishop]

I have bought DRL's from Wally World and used them to replace bulbs in the ceiling fixtures. Plenty of white light and no flicker. Cheap on sale.

[NC_Hauler]

Old Duck wrote:
We have Fantasic Fans, with rain sensors so debated for a while on the need for covers even though we live on the wet side of Oregon. Last year a friend had his motor home in the Midwest and wind tore off one vent hood. He then had covers installed which also ended my debate on them. I went with the covers made for Fantastic Fans.

Exactly..."IF" you have Fantastic fans, purchase the cover for the fantastic fans; they are made to allow for fan to draw in or force out air, and keep them functioning in the pouring rain. The rain sensors are nice, (I have them on both fans, but if it's raining and the fan cuts off and vent closes, depending on the weather, that may not be what one wants...the cover for the fantastic fan covers allow's you even more flexibility to use your fan, no matter the weather.

[AZ_T_T]

Yes on the vent hoods and yes on the LED's. Make sure you know what color of white you want on the LEDs, I got "cool" and wish I had went with "warm". The cool is a tinted a little blue.

[RollandB]

We have Fantasic Fans, with rain sensors so debated for a while on the need for covers even though we live on the wet side of Oregon. Last year a friend had his motor home in the Midwest and wind tore off one vent hood. He then had covers installed which also ended my debate on them. I went with the covers made for Fantastic Fans.

[cpaulsen]

Have used the vent covers on my last 3 5vers with no problems. Swapped to led's on this 5ver....not just using bulbs but am using new light fixtures and the led's make a big difference.

[bpounds]

For LED, definitely eBay. I used this vendor most recently.
eBay LED Vendor

Don't let the fact that they ship from China scare you. They were here in a reasonable time.

Vent covers were the first thing I did to our fiver. Could not get by without those.

[momentum_rv]

1) Anyone have experience with the roof top vents on 5th wheels? I've been thinking of purchasing two for my fifth wheel but don’t know if it would be worth the money. Advertisements for roof vents state, vents can be left open while driving for air circulation that would allow the trailer to remain cool. Is this just B.S. hype or does it actually do what they advertise?

OP... ?? Covers for the vents or the vents themselves? Hopefully your 5er already has some vents. The covers are well worth it.

[Sandia_Man]

You're asking about 2 of my very favorite mods. Definitely a no brainer adding vent covers, and we did a full LED conversion over 3 years ago using the Ebay vendor linked above. Not a single LED has flickered or failed except for the few that I purchased from US sources paying several times the price. We drycamp and boondock mostly and both mods have played a very important part of our success while doing so.

[Second_Chance]

Converted the whole TT for about $60 with these - VERY pleased.

Link

[magic43]

The vent covers are a very worthwhile investment.