Led lights

In the above be aware that the Norcold fridge 12v upper limit is 15.4v
Check out PowerMax as replacement for Magnetek--bestconverters.com (they have other brand substitutions too--just don't get the Ultra111 WFCO or you will be sorry, or the 7300 "upgrade kit" which is better than the 6300, but still has limitations.)

Anyway, another approach for lighting is to use CFLs in your 120v lights if you have those in your RV.

We have three 120v lamps, dining table and a scone each end of the sofa. I replaced the scone lamps with CFLs and when the inverter supplies the 120v for one lamp the 12v draw is 1 amp. With the double overhead 12v light doing the same job it is 3 amps. And that CFL throws more light than the overhead 12. Good reading lamp and lights up a good sized area.

LEDs have their place obviously, but you can reduce your battery draw quite a bit using CFLs on inverter. If the inverter is on anyway to watch TV or power your speakers to listen to music while reading, the 120v CFL lamp is a good choice then too.

If your rig does not have any 120v lamps to swap for CFLs, you can just bring an ordinary 120v lamp from home and use that as a reading light with a CFL in it.

LEDs are not the only way to solve the problem, but they work too of course.

LScamper wrote:
RV Buzz wrote:
"I checked the voltage at the socket while the genny's running and it's 15.5 volts."

Why do you have 15.5V at the socket, bad convertor? Way to high and may be doing damage to LEDs and other RV electronics!

I'm looking into that right now in my Magnetek info that came from the original owner. It's a 94 and no telling what's been going on. I had to take it into the shop for the genny and the shop said things were all screwed up with the governor linkage, carb and so on. I'm slowly undoing some of the engineering from the last owner and putting it right but it does take time. The convertor is supposed to be pretty much bulletproof(according to Magnetek) Given the output in excess of manufacturers spec of 14 volts I may need to replace that. I only use the lights on DC. No breakers are tripping so damage shouldn't be an issue, except to my LEDs.

I haven't yet learned how to navigate smoothly through the Mexican spider web with phart smone, but yeah those are the ones

Vixwn21, I just ordered a 10 pack of those cause I have 2 fixtures with bayonet plugs. They are not soft white & will be bluer than soft white. I already have 10 with 1156 base plugs and they are the soft white & same color as the oem lights. I like them so far but haven't had them very long.

MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
If you can use flat plate 50 SMD lamps measuring 5X7 CM Buy In Coins dot.com has them for 3.25 US free shipping no tax. Five ACTUAL watts. 48 LEDs. These lamps make SUPER compartment and stowage area lighting. We are talking BRIGHT. Not thr same vendor as the one with pathetic aluminum wire leads.

Is this the correct panel?
Thanks

T10 48 SMD5050 LED Panel Car Interior Light Bulb Dome BA9S Adapter White 12V

I am surprised ebay works so well. It's system of ratings and comments is very important. I was disappointed only once in many purchases ranging from a camera through China LEDs and a battery monitor that only monitored discharging, not charging. I expressed my disappointment with 3 stars of 5 and a comment simply that it didn't monitor charging. Immediately I got email from the seller begging for 5 stars, as they are for the retailing not the product. I got a full refund and was excused from mailing the useless monitor back in return for the stars. I left the comment as was.

RV Buzz wrote:
"I checked the voltage at the socket while the genny's running and it's 15.5 volts."

Why do you have 15.5V at the socket, bad convertor? Way to high and may be doing damage to LEDs and other RV electronics!

If you can use flat plate 50 SMD lamps measuring 5X7 CM Buy In Coins dot.com has them for 3.25 US free shipping no tax. Five ACTUAL watts. 48 LEDs. These lamps make SUPER compartment and stowage area lighting. We are talking BRIGHT. Not thr same vendor as the one with pathetic aluminum wire leads.

All my leds I bought at the big tent RV show here in Quartzsite, all have a lifetime guarantee. This year I will be back there,...not to buy more, but to bring back a handful that burned out,.....see just how good their lifetime guarantee is !!.

Don't buy leds at the show !

Thanks MrWiz