My search is over, I have found the Holy Grail of LED replacement lights for those Watt devouring halogens in the puck lights.
JRLED G4 3W 130lm 3000K 3-COB LED Warm White Light Mini Spotlights - Silver + (http://www.dx.com/p/jrled-g4-3w-130lm-3000k-3-cob-led-warm-white-light-mini-spotlights-silver-beige-2-pcs-12v-330552#.VInvXouvN1D)
I have tried three different brands and styles of G4 LEDs, and was not happy until i found this one. The others were not as bright as the halogen, or had a yellow or green, or even blue tinge. This one is as pure white as the driven snow, exactly the same whiteness as the halogens, and every bit as bright. 120 Lumens using only 3 Watts of power at 12 Volts, thats a minuscule 250mA of current. Talk about happy batteries.
These are made with three discs of COB material, which stands for Chip On Board. The yellow discs you see in the photos are made of hundreds of too small to see individual LED chips. So easy to install I did them myself, just twist off the fixture's lens, unplug the old bulb, pop out the heat sink / reflector (give it a long time to cool of the halogens were on recently), and align the LED pins with the holes and gently push. I want to add, these are real pins, round with smooth conical ends and firmly attached, the other LEDs i tried had soldered to the board square pins that tended to become unsoldered while installing.
I originally ordered enough for half of the fixtures, and last night ordered for the other half. Remember there are two per package, and when you check out, check the bulk ordering checkbox to get an additional 12% off.
Here is a great article explaining the advances in LED technology over the years, with a nice explanation of the advantages of COB lights,
LED Lighting : Newest COB LED technology explained ? LED Lights Reviews : for (http://ledlights-reviews.com/led-lighting-evolution)
This really sounds great to me. I'm just trying to figure out if what we have (in the 2007 Nimbus) would be classified as "warm white" or "white." I think from looking at their web site that it is warm white.
Tom, you said you looked hard to find the pure white light. Is that what your ordered (white)?
Don
Tom, how was your experience with DX.com ? I see a lot of not so good comments in reviews on line.
I ordered warm white. Usually warm white LEDs have a yellow or even yellow-green tint, these are pure, "white" is usually daylight white, with a bluish cast.
I have had excellent experience with DX. Shipping from China is not fast, give it a couple of weeks, and when Chinese New Year comes, give it another week. Some of their items are available from US warehouses at higher prices.
Their packaging is not great, they just put the original item in it's original box in a sturdy plastic or manila envelope. Boxes often come crushed, but the contents have always been good. A couple of times I needed to contact them for lost items or returns or replacements, and they always worked it out to my satisfaction. I have bought a lot of stuff from them, mostly flashlights, batteries, and LED lighting.
A few of their items are junk, but at junk prices, but you can tell from the price and description. Always read their own descriptions, which often point out flaws, and reviews from customers. I suspect the bad reviews are from customers who expected quicker delivery than they offer. Some could be from their competitors. There are a lot of sellers of similar Chinese made goods now, Alibaba, T-Mart, Banggood to name a few, plus so many sellers on eBay who use these as their wholesale sources.
Tom, good looking lights, and at a great price. Just wished they were like 12-18 VDC or something like that.
I know, but I suspect they can handle an occasional 14-14.4 volts. We'll see how mine hold up, but there won't be a high voltage test until I run the generator with the battery low and lights on.
I just cannot get over how good they look.
Can't wait to see them in person. I might be changing out mine also.
Sure hope they fit my 97's fixtures
If it takes a G4 and you can pop out the reflector/heatsink, there should be no problem.
I kinda sorta have one extra, at least I think it will be extra after my second order comes in, but for now I haven't installed it.
If anyone is interested, I can send it out to make the circuit of members wanting to try before buying. I only ask you pass it along to the next FoFumer who asks. Whether or not it gets back to me is optional. Just PM your address and I'll send it on it's journey.
Tom, thanks for the LED G4 replacement bulb information. Ordered 1 pkg on Dec 12 and received them Dec 30. Pretty darn quick. We like them, so now we'll order the rest.
Just one question, how do you get the reflector out? Nothing that I tried would work. I was able to get the cover on, but that isn't the best solution.
I have on of Tom's test bulbs and will be trying it in my coach in the next few days. I will post my results and send the bulb on to the next person in line.
Keith
Dick, there is a brand where you not have to remove the reflector. Depends on the exact length of the plug in wires. The reflector can help to stabilize the LED, depending the length.
I like the warm white, because my wife does. Ended up with white though. And she liked after all done.
Have gone to LED in all fixtures, not only pucks. Lots of members reports on these.
Easy installation once you figure out how to pop the metal reflector out.
Half way through the install I realized I could bend the two contacts at an angle so when the led puck is installed it fits flat inside the replaced cover.
Seems to be the same warm white as the halogens.
14 boxes of two= 28.
I received 14 boxes but 26 lights. Short two.
Nice replacements. Easy install.
Thanks for the lead.
Now I need the bulb lights around the vanity and the lights behind the glass sconce over the bathroom sink. Any such things made?
Bob
Bob,
Like these?
FEIT PerformanceLED G16.5 - 4.8 Watt - 300 Lumens - Warm White (3000K) |... (http://www.earthled.com/products/feit-performanceled-g16-5-4-8-watt-300-lumens-warm-white-3000k-40-watt-equal?utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=googlepla&gclid=CPmGouiT_sICFaY-Mgod-DIAWA#.VKsyG8mrHfc)
Keith
Try these for the bathroom and vanity fixtures.
Pack of TWO (2), LED 12V White Omni Bulb BA15S Clear Cover - Led Household... (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007M48PH2/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
Two bulbs for about $8 + shipping. You can buy them direct from
EverSale.com : LED 12V White Omni Bulb BA15S Clear Cover [EV-LED-BA15S-CV] -... (http://www.eversale.com/catalog2_1/product_info.php/white-omni-bulb-ba15s-clear-cover-p-244)
We used two bulbs in each fixture, enough light for us.
Here are the LEDs I'm using on the vanity.
Amazon.com: Gold Stars 20990080 LED Vanity Light 20-99/1156 Base 130 Lums... (http://www.amazon.com/Gold-Stars-20990080-Vanity-Natural/dp/B00APJUESE/ref=pd_sim_auto_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=1RNFNM7SAQBPWW0F846Z)
Agree with Roger, I replaced mine in the bath vanity mirror with same type several months ago and so far am happy with same. They look fine to me and seem to have as much light output.
See the problem with those and a lot of bulbs is that they are rated for 12v. When plugged in they are getting 13+. This manifests itself in flickering individual LED's as they overheat and break or just total failure. I got and am very happy with these LED G4 Halogen Replacement Bulb - Side Pin (http://eezrvproduct.com/G4-BASE-10-WATT-HALOGEN-REPLACEMENT-BULB-SIDE-PINS-EZ-6HWWSDPN-G4.htm) They have a voltage regulator on board to make sure they run properly. We got them from a product tester who had 20 of them for us so we were able to replace the majority of our halogens. They're quite expensive but they're good and almost too bright.
The important thing to look for is warm white (if you want the halogen look rather than a colder flourescent look) and the big voltage range which indicates that it has a voltage regulator on it.
I haven't seen any issues so far. I keep some on all the time as a test, the rig is plugged in, and they are still working as they should.
I tested the bulb that Tom sent me (thanks Tom) and while it looks good for brightness it's a touch too white on the walnut walls and trim for us. So it's off to Siren for her and Scuba Guy to try.
Keith
Thanks, Keith and Joyce!! We received our "Tom Lang Traveling LED Test Bulb" and we REALLY like it. b^.^d
We, too, have tested several different LED's, and haven't been very happy with any of them. These are a beautiful white color, and bright without being blinding. I have attached several pictures taken during the day, and one at night. In each picture, the "Tom Lang Traveling Test Bulb" is the one on the left, and a different LED bulb is on the right. It is very clear to us the difference in color - the other LED bulb looks too green. We didn't notice how green it was until we had Tom Lang's next to it as a comparison.
We will be ordering these for our coach. Great find, Tom! ^.^d
Who would like to try the "Tom Lang Traveling LED Test Bulb" next? It's ready to ship to the next FoFummer....
I bent the pins a bit on mine while installing them to make them parallel to the cabinet surface about half way through.
color appears the same as the halogens which we liked.
It looks like TulsaTrent is going to be the next lucky one to try out "Tom Lang's Traveling LED Test Bulb." I am sending it in the mail today!
Siren,
Thanks, I consider it an honor and a privilege to get to the top of the list!
Tom,
Thank you for making this available for us armchair followers; it sure is easier than redoing the research you have done.
(Most) everyone else:
Please let me know if you want Tom's LED light next. If more than one replies, I will include the list when I send it forward.
Trent
I figured since Tom did the research there was no need for me to second guess. I just got my bulbs from DX but like Dick & Sue I couldn't figure out how to remove the reflector. I may try bending the prongs a little to see if I can leave the reflector in as some have apparently done.
Can't wait to get them changed.
Slip a thin flat bladed screwdriver between the black housing and the silver reflector just below one of the two tabs. Twist the screwdriver and the reflector will pop loose. I found it easiest to remove the housing from the cabinet (two screws) so I didn't have to crane my neck to see what I was doing.
For those looking for another option for the puck lights, I tested then bought ours from amazon:
Ledwholesalers Disc Type G4 Base Side Pin LED Bulb with 9xsmd2835 12v Ac/dc,... (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001GH0FE2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
They all fit perfectly without removing the reflector or doing anything but opening, pulling out the bulb and putting in the LED. Pushing the LED into the puck lights requires a little wiggling and pushing *just* a bit harder than you think you should, but every single one went in and worked perfectly. They draw 1.5 watts and Susan and the kids were unable to pick out the LED from the Halogen in a lineup without looking close enough to see the circle vs filament shape. 2/$10 IIRC and they were delivered to Skidaway Island state park in Savannah GA in Amazon's promised 2 days. :-)
James