LED interior lights

[chockwald]

I was inspired by Steve Ward (Prarieschooner) to start upgrading my interior lighting to LED's. I have 4 of what I would call "license plate lights"....3 that are used as "aisle lights" and one that provides light on the entry stairway. These are big amp eaters, so I replaced them with LED license plate lights. Next I have 6 "reading" lights that have huge 12 volt bulbs in them....2 over the driver compartment, 2 over the dining table, and 2 at the head of our queen bed. These are also huge amp eaters, and put off a lot of heat. Most of the LED reading lights I have found for this application are quite expensive...typically over $100, and as high as $160 each. I found some very affordable ones at www.sailorsams.com for about $47 each. I installed two today and not only are they brighter than the old "amp eaters" they don't even make the amp meter move! A picture of the reading light is below. I only bought two to start with to be sure they were what I was looking for, and I am totally happy with them and will now order the remaining 4.

I've added a picture of old fixture, and a picture of the large spot bulb itself.

[folivier]

I ordered an led to fit the "hockey puck" halogen lights to try out. Cost about $20 but if it works ok I'll start replacing them. Or I could just keep the halogens for supplemental heating this winter!

[Wally Arntzen]

I removed all of the florcents in the front living area and replaced them with puck lights installed in finished boards mounted to the ceiling.
At some point I will do the bath and bedroom the same way. I got mine from Newell and they were pricey but I'm happy with them.
There is no question that they use very little energy.

Wally

[prairieschooner]

I have got to get some of those, It's tough keeping up with the Hockwalds!

[chockwald]

Wally....I really like the LED installation you did replacing the overhead flourescents. When I start replacing those monsters I'll be using your setup as my model. They looked like they were installed at the factory! Would you mind posting a picture of them here so Steve, and others with Classics can see your solution?

[prairieschooner]

yeah, I will be scheduling these for later. I'd like to see what others have done before I spend too much time on R&D.

[encantotom]

here is a place that sells some led replacements for 12v coach lighting. some look pretty interesting.

http://www.jirahled.com/

tom

[fulltiming]

For those that want to replace your 4' fluorescent lights in your coves with LED's, there is now a unit that plugs into your existing fixture. Unfortunately they are almost $150 each. EverLED TR (http://www.shop.everled.com/main.sc).

[prairieschooner]

These look like they still require a Ballast?

[chockwald]

Tom, thanks a bunch for that link.....I need to replace a number of automtove type light bulbs inside....many of them on the driver's side storage compartments above the couch that provide "mood lighting", but pull way too many amps to use when dry camping....these are perfect!!! At $15-20 per bulb they are expensive, but power savings for dry camping is phenominal!! I will get some of these after Creede.

[encantotom]

i think what i will do is do some calc's on how much power and battery time it will save with led's on interior.

i do some dry camping as well so it would be nice to know how much difference it would make

tom

[chockwald]

In description of one of the LED replacement bulbs it said that the bulb was 1500% more efficient than the old bulb.....that's significant!

"JC-19-AB
High efficiency 12 volt LED upgrade for your standard 1156, 1141, 1396, 1003 and similar bulbs. Runs 1500% higher efficiency"

[fulltiming]

These look like they still require a Ballast? Since they are specifically built to be plug and play with existing fixtures, they do accept the voltage coming out of the ballast or in the case of Newells, the special 12 volt input ballast. I would suspect that they dampen the voltage spike that the ballast puts out when the switch is turned on since LED's don't need (or even want) that surge.

[ttikalsky]

Another site for LED bulbs http://www.superbrightleds.com/

Troy Tikalsky
Waconia, MN
1986 Newell

[prairieschooner]

Good information guys! soon we will all have LED lighting

[chockwald]

Troy, that is a great site! Very reasonable pricing!