LEDs for RV's now are cheap(er)

[Hugh R]

I bought my Class A RV four years ago. Then, LED lights for the interior were about $10/each, no thanks. I just ordered 20 from Amazon for $20, a buck each. They suck about 1 watt where the older incandescent ones sucked about 20 watts each. Spade connector, direct replacement, "warm" lighting. Nice when you're "dry camping" with no shore power, and don't need/want to run the generator as much.

Also, the old filament bulbs tend to break with all the vibration traveling down the road. Just thought I'd share.

[SD Swede]

Thanks Hugh for sharing. I'm planning this switch myself when I find time. Just doesn't make sense not too.

[CurtEgerer]

Just did the same and swapped out all of the bulbs in the recessed ceiling lights (22 lights) with some inexpensive LEDs from Amazon. Light quality is the same or better, they're dimmable, and they generate virtually no heat. No brainer upgrade!

La Farah 1.2 Watt G4 LED 12V AC/DC Bi-Pin Light Bulb 2700K Warm White Waterproof T3 G4 Halogen 10W

[Hugh R]

Pulled a bulb, found a part number and entered it in "search" on Amazon, found it first thing as a replacement. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B018XIRLDO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I can also use them on some of the exterior running lights, maybe later, I need/want the interior ones when I'm parked and dry camping and on battery.

[911boost]

Yep, I pulled a bulb in the fall and keep meaning to order them from Amazon.

Definitely looking forward to this "upgrade".

Bill

[billybek]

One of the first things I want to do to the new (to me) camper.
Fairly small battery box and reducing draw is a big deal.

[red-beard]

Can I put in a plug here?

If you're dry camping, something like our Mi-Grid really helps. We even have Lithium options now.

[1990C4S]

The cheapest under-counter LED lighting is rope or tape light. And it works well.

[island911]

Rarely is the quality of LED light as nice as halogen. That is, horrible CRI of LED. Especially in the cheap ones.

Often times making skin tones (people) appear sickly.

Just thought I'd share.

[CurtEgerer]

I think the key is to order the 'warm white' LEDs. To my eye, they are as good or better. OTOH, my eyes are extremely old

[SweetWaterSurprise]

Last year I finished changing every single bulb in my RV to LED. can't remember how much it all was overall but it's worth it.

[Hugh R]

Regular bulbs, on the left and LEDs on the right, After 30 seconds the regular were too hot to handle with fingers. LEDs are cool after 1/2 hour. 20Watts on the regular, 1 watt or so on the LEDs.


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploads26/DSC032801489378218.jpg[/img]

[SD Swede]

Hugh,
I'm sold. I just ordered mine from Amazon yesterday based on your tips. Will take a couple of extra days since now on backorder. Thanks!!

[Hugh R]

regular on the left, LED on the right.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Hugh R

Regular bulbs, on the left and LEDs on the right, After 30 seconds the regular were too hot to handle with fingers. LEDs are cool after 1/2 hour. 20Watts on the regular, 1 watt or so on the LEDs.


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploads26/DSC032801489378218.jpg[/img]

Those look like pretty ordinary automotive bulbs, 912 or 921 or something like that.

This is another good source for LED bulbs if the application is automotive.
https://www.superbrightleds.com/

[Hugh R]

20 out of 20 worked, seem to be polarity dependent, a few didn't some on, so I turned them 180 degrees and worked perfectly. Wifey may find them a little too white for the bathroom mirror (make up) area, in which case, I'll put back in the regular bulbs over the bathroom counter. I need four more, but I may pass given the little use of that area of the RV when I need light (bathroom).

Plus I now have 20 regular bulbs for exterior replacement, I don't care much about the energy usage on outside bulbs when I'm driving.

[911boost]

Mine are 921's and I needed 24 of them for the inside, so I just got the same ones you did Hugh.

Like you, I can replace some of the exterior lights with the spare normal bulbs. I actually have LED brake/tail lights already.

Bill

[gordner]

Hugh, LED's are diodes, designed for electrical flow in one direction only. Some of the replacement LEDs for 12 volt systems are polarity sensitive, some will accommodate the reverse polarity on their internal circuit board.

[911boost]

While not mine, this is just like it. See the tail lights down low? It is kind of a strip deal...

[Hugh R]

Gordner: Yeah, that makes perfect sense, the old bulbs didn't care about polarity in the spade sockets, the new LEDs do.

Bill, I read somewhere once that the LED brake lights come on a few milliseconds faster than the regular ones, something to consider.... 60 MPH=88 ft/second....