LED bulbs vs. Out of the box LED lights

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Oryguntroutbum

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 15, 2012
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396
Location
Central Oregon
Forgive my ignorance. I'm hoping to purchase a FWC in the not so distant future. I'm trying to get the best bang for my buck and was wondering what difference, if any, there would be between having LED lights installed at the factory vs. putting LED bulbs in base model lights. Is there any difference in power consumption that way?

Also, does anyone know if FWC will prewire different things on request? I was hoping to maybe do my own install of some auxiliary lighting and such after I get the shell model home.

Thanks,
Chris
 
I purchased LED bulbs for my camper as replacements for the incandescent bulbs. I wasn't sure what to get so I bought 2 different types. The good thing about going the bulb route is you can change them out if you want more or less light, if you want a different color light or a different spectrum, or new LED technology hits the market and you can't live without it.

This is what I bought from Amazon. I bought them last April and I'm not sure if better bulbs are now available. The key is to select the right light spectrum.


P&o 2pcs 1156 BA15S 54-LED 5630 SMD Automobile Tail Rear Turn Light Pure White 12V
These had a very purple/blueish light - not good in my opinion. I replaced them with the 5050 bulbs.



HQRP 2-Pack BA15s Bayonet Base 18 LEDs SMD 5050 LED Bulb Natural White for #1141 #1156 Jamboree Searcher RV Interior Porch Light Replac. + UV Tester
These cast a much whiter, natural light. They also are very bright and will do a good job of lighting the interior of the camper. I also have one in the porch light and I replaced the amber lens with a clear lens.


I don't know about the difference in power consumption between the factory LED fixtures vs. aftermarket bulb replacement.

Let us know what you decide.
 
I would think FWC would prewire whatever you want as thats a little different than asking for an actual modification. Ask Stan to be sure.
 
Espresso, thanks for the info on the bulbs. I just ordered ours. Hope they make as much light as I think they will.
 
Greetings,
Here is another source for LED bulbs (LINK to my mod post). This one should fit in nearly any fixture as it has an adapter for both common receptacles:
Picture of package...
PL035replacementLED01.jpg
 
Got our bulbs. One old bulb inside was pulling 1.2 amps. the LED replacement pulled 0.24 amps. Whiter, brighter light. I think we'll really like these.
 
When I ordered my Eagle shell I ordered incandescent bulbs. I replaced the first bulb in each fixture with LED that I bought from Camper world (probably paying top dollar). This past October I camped 10 nights. I have a digital voltmeter. There was no drop in voltage with the LED bulbs and one tenth drop when I turned the porch light on.

There was more than enough light to read by so will be converting the others over shortly.
 
I've used the ones very similar to what accrete posted. Aside from the obvious power savings which is precious in the backcountry - they're hard to read by. For this reason I still keep one incandescent bulb in the (switchable, 2-bulb) fixture over the bed. If I'm using the light to read by, it feels really nice on the eyes to switch over to that bulb.
 
Let us know what you think. I am thinking about adding them to a couple of my lights.
 
Just installed the 18 led bulbs(250 lumens, natural white). looks to be a few less lumens than the factory 1141 bulbs, but still very acceptable output. 1441 bulbs draw 1.44 amps, new led bulbs draw .208 amps, WOW. I might try the 24 lead bulbs for the extra light output.
 
I just installed these and am very pleased, they put out plenty of light for us and we don't mind the nature of the light ( cooler white vs the more warm yellow of the incandescent bulb). I was skeptical of the adhesive on the back but after about 200 miles of washboard and worse roads they are still stuck fast. And the drain on the battery seems miniscule. I haven't checked draw with a meter but on a recent two night trip, using just lights and the furnace, we left camp with a full charge as indicated by the stock battery guage. So far so good!
(I only paid $3 each for mine, but that link seems to have evaporated from Amazon, maybe a more skilled searcher will find the cheaper item!)

http://www.amazon.com/HQRP-Bayonet-Interior-Ceiling-Replacement/dp/B00BWABNHQ/ref=sr_1_49?ie=UTF8&qid=1384956135&sr=8-49&keywords=1156+led+9
 
My LED's came yesterday. They are direct replacement for the 1141's. I put them in at lunch time today and as far as I can tell they seem to cast the same amount and color of light as the old school ones. I'm headed to the dunes Saturday for a quick trip so I think I'll leave Friday after work and do some "testing". I'm pretty sure I'm going to appreciate being able to turn one on...and leave it on and not worry about running the battery down.
 
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