replacing 12 volt bulbs

We were thinking of replacing our interior bulbs with something more energy efficient. Can you do that without replacing entire fixtures?
Do led lights work with the existing fixtures?
Cheri

[B_and_D]

There have been a few posts about led lights (maybe a year ago). I have also considered it, but haven't made the move.

Here is one discussion:

http://www.trailmanorowners.com/foru...ghlight=lights

From what I've read, you have to remove the LED's from the socket (or be absolutely sure that you don't turn them on) while you are connected to shore power, otherwise you will burn out the lights, especially with an older converter like mine (and yours).

I went to Costco and bought a two pack of their wind-up led flashlights for $20. I then went back and bought another two pack, so now we have four. I can put a hook on them and hang them in strategic places around the TM; they don't use up your battery power and they are pretty darn bright. Now that I've bought those, I'm not so excited about the replacement led bulbs for the 12v lamps. They're kind of like this: http://store.sundancesolar.com/sunda...ilwiledfl.html
I just might go back and buy two more.

B&D
I believe http://www.superbrightleds.com/ has a little printed wire board that lays on the OEM lamp bezel. It has a short wire and a bayonet base that plugs into the light socket. If memory serves, it is about $45. I would be interested in hearing user stories about relative brightness of this compared to incondescant that it replaces. I have read LEDs don't have much advantage in lumens per watt although it isn't obvious to me that that is the case.

Also, Camping World has a sale in the store right now of the Thin-Light #112 16 Watt Flourescent for $33 + change. I just bought 3. I like them pretty well. I think 1 of these dual tube lights (1.5A total) puts out more and better light than two of the OEM incondescants (3A total). They require 4 new holes in the cieling to mount and the wiring goes into the same hole the incondescants came out of.

Originally Posted by 2bcs1jrt

We were thinking of replacing our interior bulbs with something more energy efficient. Can you do that without replacing entire fixtures?
Do led lights work with the existing fixtures?
Cheri

I'm curious as to what the problem is that you are attempting to solve?

I have a 2005 2720, with no modifications, except I added a second group 24 battery. I can go camping for 4 days without running the generator to recharge the battery. So, I have concluded that you go camping for more than 4 days and do not have a generator.

I would be very happy to hear from someone that by converting the flourescent lamps in a stock TM into LEDs that they can now go camping for 5 days instead of 4 days, but I would be very amazed if anyone could claim that.

FWIW, I THINK that the largest consumer of electric power in my TM is the stereo, followed by the water pump. But I am guessing, I have never actually measured it.

[B_and_D]

BobR, one of our members did try out the lights and sent me a pm about them, he wasn't thrilled with their performance, so that's one of the reasons I didn't buy any. And they are pretty expensive.

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 got the flyer or email (we get both of them ) from Camping World and those thin lights are a pretty good deal. I'd at least like to replace the one over the stove. Are they still on sale?

We can go for quite a while on our two 6V T105's, I'm constantly harassing everybody to turn off the lights, and we don't run much else besides the water pump and the terlit when we boondock (sometimes for two weeks, if we're lucky enough to get away for that long). But the batteries do run down and we're always looking for ways to extend their charge.



I'm seriously considering asking Santa for a solar panel(s) for a Christmas present this year...

[Harry Womack]

I tried one of the LED boards that plug in to the lights over the table. The light is very directional and not as bright as the bulbs they replace. I would rather use the new flourescent lights then the LEDs.
The red LED tail light bulbs are good. They come with the plug socket for the tail light. I cut the socket off and wired them in direct. The sockets that are in the tail light on the trailer corrode so bad that they do not make contact with either bulb! If keeping the 1057 bulbs in the tail light solder a wire to the brass base of the bulb and hook it to the ground wire for the tail light.

As a newbie, I have tons of questions. Does anyone have a list of the specific bulbs that are used for replacement? For clarification, for the originial equipment fixtures. We were trying to set up an electrical bag (as recommended in the checklists) and don't know which bulbs to purchase.

Since we can't keep our TM at home (crazy PUD rules), we can't just go out and pull covers to find out. Perhaps someone should make a comprehensive list? Does the factory have that type of info?

We don't have any fluorescents in our TM. It is nearly 10 years old. The 12v lights are very hot and use more power than the fluorescents or LEDs. We do not have a generator. We were just trying to find an efficient alternative. And we were trying to see if that could be accomplished with a bulb or if it requires new fixtures. We've switched our entire house over to fluorescent. Thought it might be good to do the same for the trailer.
Cheri

I think we will replace the fixtures with fluorescent a couple at a time. Ed at TM says they are about $35 each. That sounds like the best plan. Thanks for all the input
Cheri

"I went to Costco and bought a two pack of their wind-up led flashlights for $20. I then went back and bought another two pack, so now we have four."

B and D,
I love those wind up flash lights! We bought 2 packs and went back for more but good old Costco didn't have them any more. I do have one in the trailer though...and the van...and the Prius!
Cheri