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replace light with led

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campmuch

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replace light with led
« on: June 11, 2015, 11:02:36 pm »
I have a 2012 2551  and would like to replace the lights in the ceiling with leds for more light. Has anyone done this> If so do you recommend? Any suggestions where to go for help.
jhb

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Ron Dittmer

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Re: replace light with led
« Reply #1 on: June 15, 2015, 12:22:43 am »
Hi campmuch,

With our 2007 2350, in an effort to keep the same fixtures to avoid scars about the rig, I affordably replaced only the florescent internals with LED strips.  Though it was quite a project for me, we really do like the results, and at such a low cost.  You can see many pictures and read about the project HERE.  We later determined the LED strips were just too bright so I have since disabled every 3rd circuit by removing their supporting chip resistors (easy to solder back) which also reduced power consumption even further.  In the process, I also added an LED night light inside each fixture which we both appreciate.

I also replaced the regular incandescent light bulbs with LED equivalents for the closet, shower, stove hood, and outside porch & storage compartment.  I estimate our lighting power consumption has been reduced at least 50% and the soft white LEDs provide a nice warm atmosphere.

I seek areas to improve on power consumption because we most often camp without hook-ups.  I wished our power-hog 26" front TV would die so I could replace it with a 26" LED edge-lit TV for that would be much easier on our batteries.  At the end of the day operating on battery power, we'll watch TV in the bedroom on our other TV/DVD combo for it uses much less power.

I also replaced our tired 12V batteries with a new pair of 6V AGM batteries in an attempt to improve power further.  I have not yet seriously considered solar panels, just trying to find alternatives with things already in-place for now.

Back to the LED conversion.  If you try what I did, you will need to be good with a soldering iron, and have some degree of patience.  The first fixture takes a long time.  The last one goes quickly.  

Well wishes with the solution that works best for you, converting or replacing your fixtures.

Ron
« Last Edit: June 15, 2015, 07:43:49 am by ron.dittmer »
Ron (& Irene) Dittmer

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campmuch

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Re: replace light with led
« Reply #2 on: June 15, 2015, 09:08:07 am »
THANK YOU VERY MUCH,RON. I may try my hand at one and go from there.
JHB

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Doneworking

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Re: replace light with led
« Reply #3 on: June 15, 2015, 09:13:35 am »
On a similar note and experience to Ron's concern with "too bright", I replaced the reading lights in our PC with these:  

http://www.amazon.com/Gold-Stars-GW21500-Reading-Chrome/dp/B00AQKC7LO/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1434373622&sr=8-9&keywords=led+rv+lights&pebp=1434373626920&perid=B696F41330314A08B578

We just got back from a two week trip boondocking.  The lights worked great except they are excessively bright.  Prior to our next trip in a month or so, I am going to cut down the lights either with a filter or with a resistor to reduce voltage.  The great thing about LED lights to me is the elimination of heat.  Those stock 10 watt halogen bulbs common in many rvs get so doggone hot I consider them dangerous.  

I had a fluorescent fixture burn out during this trip.  Not the bulb, the fixture.  I think I will order Ron's LEDs as he suggested and try it out.   While in camp, I simply swapped the non working fixture with one in the back over the bed that is very seldom used.   LEDs are, incidentally, great light for hours of reading and low current drain.

Paul

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Ron Dittmer

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    • My 2007 2350 Phoenix Cruiser
  • OwnPC: Yes
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  • ExtColor: Full Body Gray
  • Location: N/E Illinois
Re: replace light with led
« Reply #4 on: June 15, 2015, 10:28:30 am »
Hi Paul,

I agree that LED lights can be quite bright.  I completely underestimated their light output.  When disabling 3 of 11 circuits per strip I had contemplated shutting down every-other one which would have been 5 circuits of the 11.  If I later change my mind, I will need to unsolder more resistors and re-solder a few of them into adjacent positions to maintain "balanced" lighting within.

My particular situation has 11 circuits of 3 LEDs each totalling 33 LEDs per strip x2 strips.  That is 66 LEDs per fixture which I recall using quality instruments at work, used 6 watts of power compared to the 9 watts measured for the original pair of florescent bulbs.  Reducing the LEDs by 1/3, I reduced the power down to 4 watts per fixture which is 44% that of the original florescent bulbs.

The night lights are really nice.  They consume only 1/2 watt so we leave a number of them on for mood lighting while we are awake in the evening after dark.  I personally like to turn on the night light when visiting the bathroom at night so I can see without getting blinded.

When building up each fixture, I set them so that flipping the switch away from us turns on the main light.  Flipping them towards us turns on the night light.  That makes it so easy to get it right the first time.  Since some fixtures have the switch to the right and others to the left, each fixture has one of two required orientations for the switch.  It took only a little extra time to accommodate for that but well worth the effort.

For the fixture over the dinette, I installed a potentiometer inside it to use as a dimmer to further adjust brightness at the table pending our taste at the time.  On that fixture with the night light on, I can dim it to a faint glow, just enough to see around in the dark, yet still be dark.

Ron
« Last Edit: June 15, 2015, 11:13:24 am by ron.dittmer »
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