Hi All, this has probably been asked before, but ...
When changing the old bulbs in my van can i do a straight swap to LED or do i need to re wire everything through a transformer or some thing.
TIA
Try and get hold of the newer COB led lights if you can, I've just replaced all my G4 halogen lamps for about 99pence each from Fleabay, I chose warm white for mine.
Dave.
------------- Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day,
Teach a man to fish and you can get rid of him for a whole weekend.
If you want to retain the warm ambience of your old lamps, look for a warm white with a colour temperature of 2700. Cool white at 3000 is getting a bit harsh, and once you get to 'Daylight' spec you'll need your sunspecs on.
I did consider changing the spots in our 2012 Swift to LED. It became a choice of either 12-volt units or 240-volt with transformer.
Before deciding, I contacted Sargent, the makers of the 12-volt system, for advice. They said that my 12-volt system control did not have sufficient voltage smoothing for LED lights, and any surge could burn them out. I understand that later caravans with LED lighting as supplied have upgraded control systems. Based on this, I would advise caution.
For LED strip lighting in the kitchen area I installed 240-volt units intended for general domestic use.
The spots - still cogitating!
Bertie.
There are a lot of different led types to choose from on that page link John so difficult to apraise one particular item. The ones I have used for about 18 months to 2 years are 5050 SMD waterproof strip lights which replace my individual and conventional leds which gave off a rather 'green' hue to the light, plus recently the COB,(Chip On Board) G4 ac/dc 6W bulbs.
Dave.
------------- Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day,
Teach a man to fish and you can get rid of him for a whole weekend.
Quote: Originally posted by strider212 on 29/4/2018
Hi All, this has probably been asked before, but ...
When changing the old bulbs in my van can i do a straight swap to LED or do i need to re wire everything through a transformer or some thing.
TIA
You can do a straight swap with bulbs but they should be regulated bulbs, these will be regulated to work from 10 to 30 volts and preferably spike protected.
The advert says for 12v only, a caravan charger will put out around 13.8 volts and on solar it could get higher.
I bought mine from www.atenlighting.co.uk. They cost more but I've had mine for a lot of years without any problems, mine are regulated to work from 10 to 30 volts.
In our van, as we sit at the dinette, the spot lights are behind us and if you adjust them to shine over your shoulder the person opposite gets blinded. In a word -USELESS. So I intend to fit a centrally-positioned downlighter under the roof locker. If I go for LED, I will be looking at the 10 to 30 volt regulated ones mentioned by Paul_B
Bertie.
Quote: Originally posted by Pickled Onion on 29/4/2018
Try and get hold of the newer COB led lights if you can, I've just replaced all my G4 halogen lamps for about 99pence each from Fleabay, I chose warm white for mine.
Dave.
Hi Dave, which ones did you get, as there are thousands on there. Could you give me a link please, as I'd like to replace mine.
I had 2 different ones, some DC ones for the van, these I bought 10 thinking I would have some spares but each one was cheaper at 79P each. however I managed to use the lot as most lights used two in each.
And These ac ones for my cooker hood lighting at home at 99P.
Dave.
------------- Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day,
Teach a man to fish and you can get rid of him for a whole weekend.
Quote: Originally posted by Pickled Onion on 09/5/2018
With pleasure Colin,
I had 2 different ones, some DC ones for the van, these I bought 10 thinking I would have some spares but each one was cheaper at 79P each. however I managed to use the lot as most lights used two in each.
And These ac ones for my cooker hood lighting at home at 99P.
Dave.
Thanks very much Dave, that saved me hours of trawling.
You will see that there is a smaller wattage one if space is limited or if reduced illumination is better. The larger ones give off as much light as my old 10W halogen bulbs but are cool, the heat from the halogens cracked the glass in a couple of my fittings, plus for those off grid, they use a fraction of the current, win, win, I think.
Dave.
------------- Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day,
Teach a man to fish and you can get rid of him for a whole weekend.