We hope to replace all four of our round, incandescent docking lights with LEDs. (Currently, they are in the dinette at FOT paintshop.) Now is the time.
Members of the forum have been very helpful chasing down the rest of the items on our "scavenger hunt." I came close to finding them on superbrightleds.com but I have yet to nail the right ones. Anyone have an idea? Thanks. O.K.
You are looking for a "PAR 36" lamp. Those appear to be available from various sources at various prices. Grote is one source.
Trilliant® 36 LED Work Light Product Family - Grote Industries (http://www.grote.com/family/trilliant-36-led-whitelight-work-lamp/)
I believe you a wide flood pattern would work best for this application.
63831-5 - Trilliant® 36 LED Work White Light, Retail Pack (http://www.grote.com/products/63831-5-trilliant-36-led-white-work-light-with-spade-screw-connector-retail-pack/?industrycat=&prodcat=)
For the extreme difference in price I might be tempted to try the following:
VSTAR® PAR36 LED Bulb 9W, 5000K 800-900LM Daylight, 12V AC/DC Lamp Landscape... (http://www.amazon.com/VSTAR-800-900LM-Daylight-Landscape-Waterproof/dp/B017IFJ93I/ref=pd_sbs_263_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=5ZZ6ANZPRMMNSJX1AJYP)
A Google search might show a variety of other choices.
Might want to check out bigrigchromeshop.com and also , on Amazon, yitamotorsLEDlights.
Search for "AR111 G53 LED 12V" on eBay or Amazon
These look like the ones I bought....
AC 12V AR111 G53 Base 9W 1100LM LED Light Lamp Bulb White / Warm White | eBay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/AC-12V-AR111-G53-Base-9W-1100LM-LED-Light-Lamp-Bulb-White-Warm-White-/141047911890?var=&hash=item20d71c55d2:m:mhVkYWEQQRlAWF5SAKr-h0A)
Takes about three week from HongKong.
From Amazon adding in daylight or cool white specs ... This is higher wattage but looks good.
Bonlux LED Ar111 G53 Base Spot Light Bulb with Cree COB Chips 12 Watts 900lm... (http://amazon.com/Bonlux-Ar111-Halogen-Replacement-Daylight/dp/B012SQM6SC/ref=sr_1_2?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1487170289&sr=1-2&keywords=AR111%2BG53%2BLED%2B12V&refinements=p_n_feature_seventeen_browse-bin%3A9692445011&th=1)
Most of these have connectors that use screws to hold on ring terminals. Mine were metric so you may need new screws. I had to bend the tabs over to fit in the rubber cups. Getting the old ones out of the rubber cups and the new ones in is challenging. Use a bit of plumbers silicone grease. Your old screws and nuts that hold the retaining ring in place are probably rusted, get new stainless screws and nylock nuts. It is about an hour or more per bulb to change then out.
The PAR36 bulbs should work as well.
This one is going to have a nice look
LED PAR36 Bulb, 15W (100W Equivalent), Dimmable, WATERPROOF Landscape Garden... (http://amazon.com/LED-Equivalent-Dimmable-WATERPROOF-Landscape/dp/B01NGU9409/ref=sr_1_5?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1487170851&sr=1-5&keywords=Par+36+LED+12V)
I replaced the whole assembly with LEDs for about $42 for all four delivered. Here they are: 4x4" Round 40LED Flange Mount Sealed White Stop/Turn/Tail Backup Light... (http://www.ebay.com/itm/4x4-Round-40LED-Flange-Mount-Sealed-White-Stop-Turn-Tail-Backup-Light-Universal-/301833640326?hash=item4646afd986)
The holes almost align perfectly... almost. Just a bit of grinding on the body work and aligning with a drill and they work great. You can leave them on all night, no battery drain or at least, not much. Nice and bright.
Schedule in a half day as the wiring takes a little time also. A Dremel makes things go faster also. I went with stainless fastners too.
Pierce
Pierce,
Are these spot or flood lights?
Did you have the brightness option? if so, what did you chose, High or low?
Thanks everyone! I went with Roger's AC 12V AR111 G53 Base 9W 1100LM LED Light Lamp Bulb White / Warm White | eBay for cost, speed and bought a spare, just 'cause.
Our Members' help and PMs for my outside lighting project have sure been helpful! Thanks.P
Nice job , do they have an oblong style from the 2003 model
Flood lights. I wired them to the high position. Current draw is a small fraction of the OEM.
Pierce
Thanks all good upgrade, as I didn't realize how pathetic the oem were until tonight.
Just a little thing: Flood lights tend to have a flat beam spread. I see so many mounted wrong. Before you install one plug it an at night and play with the beam until it illuminates as you want. Makes quite a difference when you get it right.
Keith
Well I have three of the LED bulbs installed and they are spectacular! The fourth one is the Dr side rear. It will require a contortionist to get that one done. tight quarters for any bulb you choose. It is on my list for this summer.
Roger
Question: Anyone found a good LED docking light replacement upgrade for the '02 and newer rectangular lights? From searching on the forum, the Grote 63610 looks like the only LED that has been used. These are $$$$.... About $97 each, is the best price I've found, wondering if there is a more economical LED flood light solution?
Jeff
Pierce,
You shared a couple of pictures of your docking lights removed from the body.
When I remove the light assembly, the shaped fiberglass part appears to be attached to the body fiberglass with a LOT of caulk. How did you separate yours?
I am thinking that the front lights should be angled forward instead of rearward. This should help with forward/side view in the dark. Has anyone tried installing them "backwards"?
Thanks,
Trent
Trent,
As I remember (it was at least a couple of years ago) it took a bit of patience to get the old light removed. I think the problem was with the old bulb and the flex gasket not the Fiberglas to body part. Might try a putty knife. The LED holes are almost, yes, almost in the right place. I had to play with them with an electric grinder plus a drill to get them installed. The big hole was slightly smaller than the LED assembly. Not a big deal but a few minutes with the grinder. Should be easy to turn 180 degrees and try them forward. Possible need to drill fresh holes in the body but no big deal.
Pierce
Question: Anyone found a good LED docking light replacement upgrade for the '02 and newer rectangular lights?
Flexible cob led light strips, illuminates about 6 ft out. Left old docking lights in place and put one led in each wheel well. Nice thing is they only draw 6 watts, so use them at night when sitting outside coach.
Flexible COB light strips to augment the docking lights.
Thank you Rick! That is an Iceland tip and these are relatively inexpensive. On my "to-do" list now...
Jeff
I've been pulling my hair out trying come up with a fix and I want to thank everyone for the assistance.
Thanks again to all.
Danny & Peggy
RWE LOST