quality 12-volt LED nightlight available?

[RicoV]

Hi folks,

Our '11 FWC Grandby was ordered with an optional accessory box at the right rear of the camper that contains a pair of cigarette-lighter type 12-volt sockets (outlets). Over the last year I've unfortunately fried 4 sets of various LED nightlights from the local auto parts store, manufactured under the Custom Accessories brand name, and have come to the conclusion that these kinds of LED lights are simply unsuited to this application. The 5-amp fuse in each socket plug doesn't seem to be affected; the LED light finally shuts off one night and that's that, it never comes back on no matter how much I manipulate it, even though the sockets continue to supply juice.

On another forum I found someone talking about the possibility that even normal battery voltages just beyond 12 volts, say about 13, could rapidly cause premature LED burnout, and suggested having a voltage regulator as part of the nightlight configuration. The discussion on amperage draw suggested that LEDs couldn't possibly draw enough to burn them out like that. So I'm still unsure as to the source of my problem. But the bottom line for me is that my wife and I need to obtain a reliable and not-particularly-bright LED nightlight to plug into one of our FWC 12-volt sockets so we can get up to use our porta-potty in the middle of the night without incident.

Would any FWCers have any thoughts to share on this subject, and maybe a place to steer me? As always, thanks!

Rico

 

[craig333]

Have you thought about something battery operated? It has a motion sensor and comes on as soon as I get out of bed. Fully adjustable, can mount anywhere.

 

[Overland Hadley]

I know of just the light you are looking for. Will post details in a couple hours.

 

[NorCalSteve]

The voltage at the lighter could reach well over 14 volts when the engine is running.

I found a LED puck thing at the local Lowes hardware store. It runs on three AA batteries. It has a magnet inside and also comes with sticky tape. I placed one on the piece of wood on the ceiling that the gas lifts connect to. I used the sticky tape rather than the built in magnets (nothing on the ceiling to stick the magnet to). The lignt will stay on for about 30 minutes, if you don't turn it off, and then turns itself off. I am about to head out the door but can supply a picture later if someone is interested. I use it to read in bed but also use it if I need to get up in the middle of the night for any reason. I always seem to sleep on the same side of the bed so I have only stuck one on the ceiling. I am pretty sure they came in a 2-pack. I think it was just one LED but pretty bright. The batteries seemed to last a pretty long time. I have replaced the batteries with rechargeable batteries.

Steve

 

[Overland Hadley]

The Goal Zero Firefly.

I have a couple and I highly recommend them. All you need is a 12v plug to usb adaptor, available for a couple dollars from Amazon.


Also, I am not worried about running LED lights in the camper. All of the lights on the interior and exterior of my camper are LED.

 

[ntsqd]

I recently came across this LED light and am thinking to use one under each end of the dash of my '65 Valiant DD as well as a couple for night lights in the camper.

http://www.awdirect.com/slim-utility-led-lamp-81103/interior-and-cab-lights/

 

[garyoNC]

If the LEDs are failing, it is not your fault or your camper's fault. LED lighting for the auto industry should be able to handle a wide range of voltages that are present in that environment. At least 9VDC to 15VDC without any problems. You are getting defective or very low quality LED lights. Try a different manufacturer or something else. I have had very good luck with the following:

http://dx.com/c/car-accessories-799/car-lights-723/car-led-bulbs-712

Amazon.com : led lighting

Good luck.

 

[Espresso]

It is difficult to make sense of LED lights. Do lumens tell the whole story? Has anyone used something similar to this:

http://dx.com/p/1-8w-36-led-car-ceiling-dome-white-light-dc-12v-34607

or this

http://dx.com/p/3-6w-20-smd-5050-led-240lm-3000-3500k-warm-white-light-emitter-for-car-100505

or this

http://dx.com/p/1156-3-5w-68-smd-le...ke-backup-white-light-bulbs-pair-dc-12v-48999 ($7 for 2 bulbs? What's the catch?)

or this

http://dx.com/p/5-4w-270-lumen-6000k-27x5050-smd-led-white-car-light-bulbs-pair-12v-80816 (they don't have as many lumen, but they do have the 5050 SMD)

as a replacement to the standard filament bulbs? I have an older LED in one of the sockets and it throws a blueish, purplish, whitish light. I'm looking for something brighter and closer to natural light, or at least whiter than what I have. I plan to replace all the bulbs including the porch light.

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

I installed LEDs in the camper lights,the plug in type.Have had no problems with them.I bought them on line from the supplier in Seattle.Can't think of the name now.Seem to be of good quality as I have had no problems.They seemed a bit pricy,but maybe the cheep ones don't work as well.You can get what you pay for sometimes.
Frank
Oh I think the company is , Superbrights

 

[garyoNC]

A quick LED primer. There are two cost levels, and many sub-categories. You buy quality LEDs or the cheap china ones. I own way more cheap china LEDs because of cost compared to the higher quality LEDs. The main advantage of the cheap china LEDs is you can get quite a few of them (cheaply) and experiment with them to get the exact look you are after. Most of the time they are fine. I have had a couple fail, one replaced by the seller and no problems and one was so old I just tossed it. Only you can decide which way you want to go.

Now, lumens are not the “be-all measurement” by which to compare LED lighting. Too many factors govern how they come up with their Lumen output figure. Was a lens or diffuser used? What voltage were the LEDs driven at? Temperature change? You get the picture. The next thing you might want to consider is the actual temperature of the light. It is given in degrees of Kelvin. Typically the higher the number the whiter or colder the LED is. So as an example 5000- 6000 K is very white with a bluish tint and very cold. A warmer temperature may be 3000-4000 K. And they still play fast and loose with this because if you buy a half dozen of the same type cheap china LEDs and test them, (by comparing them side-by-side) you will see variations in the color temperature.

The seller that sells the higher quality LED will have a better description of their products in all aspects of operation and you may be able to deduce from that information a better fit for you with a particular LED. So here are some links to the better sellers with better quality LEDs:

http://blitzpro.com/12v-led-lights.html
http://www.superbrightleds.com/
http://www.ledtrailerlights.com/rv/RV-led.htm
http://www.pmlights.com/products.cfm?cId=1
http://www.awdirect.com/interior-and-cab-lights/

I hope this helps,
Gary

 

[Espresso]

Thanks Gary and Frank - Good info. I'll check out the links.

 

[sourdough]

Have you thought about something battery operated? It has a motion sensor and comes on as soon as I get out of bed. Fully adjustable, can mount anywhere.

These are great lights and so simple.

 

[Espresso]

I have one of these. They are great. I put Velcro on the back of the mounting tabs and I stick it to the Velcro strip over the bed for reading at night.

I saw a pack of puck lights at Costco that had a remote control. They could also work as a night light.