? LED "Lubrication" Ques

[dcmac214]

In process of replacing trailer bulbs with LEDs. Having VERY hard time pushing the LEDs into the sockets - some are absolutely impossible for me. The glass incandescents slide in/out without problem. What can I do to make it easier inserting the LEDs? I thought an electrical grease might help but with our summer temps I'm afraid that might cause other problems later on.
?

[dcmac214]

wa8yxm wrote:
I did not think about it yesterday but I read a post (then) where someone was concerned about the heat produced by the LED assemblies.....
Come on now.. Do you know how HOT incandascent lamps get? I mean I use them as space heaters They melt plastic They burn fingers,, I've never had an LED get that hot.. Uncomfortablly warm yes, but never finer burning hot. That's why they are so much more efficient.. NO HEAT.

That could've been me. I'd been led to believe LEDs were hot. Thanks to info from others here I've been educated and am inprocess of changing out all my incandescents. Every Amazon order includes a pair of LED replacements. Since I only do an order every 2-3 months I should have all the replacements plugged in by the end of '18.

[down_home]

mike-s wrote:

down home wrote:
The Chinese, often, do not manufacture things, within tolerances, of our equipment designs.
I intend, to use, LEDs on exterior lights, Haven't thus far, as there is six, on each side, for taillights, in individual housings. They replaced one, some time ago, and the housing cracked. 282.00 per housing, from American Coach.
One reason, we want to change, is we're having head lights rewired and driving lights redone, so we can see, and expect electrical load to go up on the alternator, so counter that, with LEDs consuming less elsewhere.

You have a problem with your keyboard. The comma (,) key is inserting characters at random.

I have nerve damage, in several fingers, of both hands. Somehow letters on left side of keyboard land before the right hand when they should not,and bounced keys or double letters happen frequently and punctuation lands after intended or before, even though hit key right, Not enough force or too little or delay in hitting.
I correct when I see it but sometimes welll.....

[wa8yxm]

I did not think about it yesterday but I read a post (then) where someone was concerned about the heat produced by the LED assemblies.....

Come on now.. Do you know how HOT incandascent lamps get? I mean I use them as space heaters They melt plastic They burn fingers,, I've never had an LED get that hot.. Uncomfortablly warm yes, but never finer burning hot. That's why they are so much more efficient.. NO HEAT.

[CavemanCharlie]

Dielectric grease should be used if you want grease.

[The_real_wild1]

Post a pic of the lights. If it is the light I am thinking with the wire exposed on either side it is probably the wire in the way. Post a pic of them and I will confirm. You may just have to move the wire over. I would say they are a 194 bulb replacement but there is more then one number for similar bulbs.

[mike-s]

down home wrote:
The Chinese, often, do not manufacture things, within tolerances, of our equipment designs.
I intend, to use, LEDs on exterior lights, Haven't thus far, as there is six, on each side, for taillights, in individual housings. They replaced one, some time ago, and the housing cracked. 282.00 per housing, from American Coach.
One reason, we want to change, is we're having head lights rewired and driving lights redone, so we can see, and expect electrical load to go up on the alternator, so counter that, with LEDs consuming less elsewhere.

You have a problem with your keyboard. The comma (,) key is inserting characters at random.

[down_home]

The Chinese, often, do not manufacture things, within tolerances, of our equipment designs.
I intend, to use, LEDs on exterior lights, Haven't thus far, as there is six, on each side, for taillights, in individual housings. They replaced one, some time ago, and the housing cracked. 282.00 per housing, from American Coach.
One reason, we want to change, is we're having head lights rewired and driving lights redone, so we can see, and expect electrical load to go up on the alternator, so counter that, with LEDs consuming less elsewhere.

[theoldwizard1]

Use dielectric grease. Regular grease may have some conductivity to it.

Less messy, but more expensive, Fluid Film. Most auto parts stores have it. Basically WD-40 on steroids. Non-conductive, lubricates and leaves a film that prevents corrosion.

[ScottG]

I agree with the others and if you force them you may bend or break something.

[GordonThree]

mike-s wrote:
Light grease. :B

Seriously, if they don't fit, return them and get some which are better made.

I agree with Mike, sounds like you received some out of spec replacement bulbs. Send 'em back and try a different brand.

You don't want to force the bulb to fit, because if you ever have to go back to incandescent for some reason, the deformed socket will never hold the bulb.

[mike-s]

Light grease. :B

Seriously, if they don't fit, return them and get some which are better made.