replacing 12 volt bulbs

Originally Posted by B_and_D

PopB, Cheri and I have older TM's and we don't have any flourescent lights except in the bathroom (if hers is like mine).

I'd like to thank those of you that have the older TM's.

By the time I bought mine, many of the bugs have been worked out. I have mostly flourescent lights, can get to the power cord easily, can get to the sewer hose easily, etc.

The only two modification I have planned are:

1. External battery disconnect switch.

2. External switch to turn the fridge and fridge fan on/off when TM is closed and fridge is set to 12 volt.



Thanks again

It seems mine is truely original (as the realtors say when no upgrades have been made on that fixer upper) because it is a 1996 2518 which was the economy version where most everything was optional and the original buyer did not opt for much. Even Ed at TM didn't believe me that there were no vents or fans in my TM, just a fantastic fan installed by the last owner. Ed said my TM was before his time.
It isn't stripped down to Sport status ( it has a bathroom) but it is very basic.
Cheri

[RockyMtnRay]

I've done both LED and fluorescent lamp replacements in my '02 2720SL TM.

Specifically, I installed 16W fluorescent fixtures over the sink, stove, and in the hallway (every where there was a single bulb incandescent fixture). I also replaced the right hand incandescent bulb in both of the overhead lamps in the front of the trailer (the one in the regular ceiling vent and the one near the front wall) with 36 LED array circuit boards from SuperBrightLEDs. The fluorescent fixtures were Thinlight models that I bought at Camping World for about $29 each (Sale pricing combined with a CE President's Club discount).

Conclusions:

• The fluorescent fixtures are each 4 to 5 times as bright as the single incandescent bulb fixtures they replaced. That is their major advantage as their current usage is about 1.5 amps vs the 2.2 amps the incandescent bulb consumed. Unless you leave these lights on for hours at a time, the .7 amp difference is not a hugely significant factor in battery life. The difference in brightness is however immense...TM is doing the right thing by installing fluorescents in these locations on the new models.
  
• Even with 36 LEDs, the lighting from LED array is pretty dim, about 10 to 20% of the light from a single incandescent bulb. The light is bright enough to allow one to move around without stumbling into objects but not bright enough for any visual task such as reading. They are bright enough to remove the pool of darkness if you only have the reading lights ("elegant" lights on the older models) illuminated or want an low ambient light for something like TV watching. OTOH, the current draw is only about .1 amp so they could be left on for hours with no appreciable battery drain. I usually leave them on while I'm outside at night...they provide enough light through the trailer windows (and it's a very ice-cold bluish white) that I can easily find my TM in a dark Forest Service campground and I can step inside without stumbling around in the dark.
  
  They're basically useful for what they do but not in any way a full substitute for the incandescent bulbs. And FWIW, they should not be used when on shore power (nor do they need to be used) if you have the older 6300 series converter because that converter has a 20V AC ripple voltage on the DC bus which will rapidly kill the LEDs. These LED arrays are also kinda pricey...not a concern for me but a definite consideration for those on a budget given their relatively limited utility.

Thanks That was really helpful. Fluorescent is definately the way to go. Maybe they aren't as energy efficient as LED but they won't get hot like the incandescents and they cast the brightest light...sold!

[B_and_D]

I've purchased my second Thinlite flourescent replacement now. The first went over the stove, and this next one will go over the sink. What a difference the one over the stove makes! It wasn't hard to do, but I almost put it too close to the wall. You really have to stop and think about how things fold down in the TM when you're changing things (especially on the ceiling)!

The one I'd really like to update is the set of two that take automotive-type 12V bulbs that are recessed into the vent over the dining table. The Thinlites at Camping World are too long to fit in there.

So here is a question for you newer TM owners: Do you have a flourescent light there? I haven't been able to find anything online that will fit into that space, and I don't think that there would be room to mount a light outside the recessed vent area.

[Leslie & Nick]

So here is a question for you newer TM owners: Do you have a flourescent light there? I haven't been able to find anything online that will fit into that space, and I don't think that there would be room to mount a light outside the recessed vent area.

We have 2002 2619, and the only fluorescent light is the one in the bathroom. Other lights are the 12V automotive type.

Nick

Hi,
As owners of an '06 3023 here is where we have florescent lights -

1 in the bathroom
1 in the rear bunk area - the ONLY light back there and mounted on the cieling above the curb side window so you must sleep with your head by the wardrobe vice by the bathroom which is probably the better direction to sleep anyway -at least if you want the light as a reading light.
1 above the stove
1 above the sink area - we have the optional hanging cabinet and found it difficult/distracting to do the dishes as you were always putting your head between the light and your work. so DW installed

1 single tube fixture mounted under the hanging cabinet and it is the light we use the most! We tried to mount the fixture (Wally world or any such place) with velcro but it keep coming down. Not wanting to drill holes up into the cabinet (have have the points of screws catching things stored there or hands) DW found a piece of wood the thickness of the underside lip (1/4"?) and secured it to the cabinet by driving screws down through the bottom shelf of the cabinet from the inside to secure the piece of wood (just two screw heads visible from inside the cabinet. She then mounted the light fixture to the piece of wood and now the work area of the sink has a bright source of light without shadows!

The only singel incandescent we have is mounted in the hall way infront of the wardrobe and I am thinking that we might want to replace that.

We were looking at the LEDs with our biggest concern being closing the TM up with hot lights. Unfortunately all of the factory florescents loose power when you lower the rear wall of the bathroom so we must finish breaking down with a incandescent if it is dark out.

The remaining factory installed lights are 4 pairs of incandecents. 1 pair in each of the vent fixtures, 1 pair over the front bed and 1 pair mounted under the forward overhead cabinet (1 at each end under the speakers) where there used to be the accent lights. These two lights are controlled by a rotary switch in the forward vent housing. (probably like in previous models?)

So anyway, that brings the interior light fixtures to 14 - 13 factory and one add on (not counting plug in nightlights etc.)

Still looking for a solution to my incandecent bulb, at least for breaking down in the dark and it doesn't sound like LEDs will do what I need. (we normally camp at sites with electic hookups so power is not a big concern)

By the way, they still haven't fixed the problem with the taillight sockets mentioned above. We have already had one brake light that didn't light on a light check due to poor contact. Cleaned up the corrosion and got it working again but am going to consider the above recommendation as I forsee this as a recurring problem

Bill

Originally Posted by Bill & Lisa

Hi,

Still looking for a solution to my incandecent bulb, at least for breaking down in the dark and it doesn't sound like LEDs will do what I need. (we normally camp at sites with electic hookups so power is not a big concern)

Bill

Hey Bill, just an idea... I found that getting one of those lights that strap to your head help a lot for setting up the trailer at night or when hitching or unhitching and leave your hands free to do other things. You can find them at most stores that carry a good line of flashlights (Walmart for example).. these are mostly used by spelunkers in caves, but our postman uses it too when he gets stuck delivering mail after dark. They are great!

Brigitte

Good idea! I know I have seen them at Dick's sporting goods (was looking for the wind up LED flashlights at the time!) Thanks.