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These LEDs could be dangerous

I started a new tread to make sure everyone sees this.  Recently I bought some of the following LEDs through eBay.  The supplier is in China.

1x BA15D 1142 SMD Bulb Interior Light 102 3528 SMD LED DC 12V Warm White | eBay

The bulbs are bright and seemed to be a good replacement for the incandescent 1076 bulb, but smelled "hot" even after hours of use.  Today I removed them and was surprised to see that one of the LED arrays was no longer working and both bulbs showed signs of overheating.  See the pics below.  Needless to say, we will no longer be using them.

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George Hatfield

  Never ever use World Line Motors of Nacogdoches for service!

Re: These LEDs could be dangerous

Reply #1 –
Quote from: George Hatfield –

1x BA15D 1142 SMD Bulb Interior Light 102 3528 SMD LED DC 12V Warm White | eBay

The bulbs are bright and seemed to be a good replacement for the incandescent 1076 bulb, but smelled "hot" even after hours of use.  Today I removed them and was surprised to see that one of the LED arrays was no longer working and both bulbs showed signs of overheating. 

I wonder if the issue was the power control circuitry (or lack thereof) on those particular bulbs.  The listing only references the single voltage (12V), not a voltage range (for which there would need to be constant current driver circuitry).

Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: These LEDs could be dangerous

Reply #2 –
I was wondering about that too since I have the charger on most of the time and the voltage is about 13.5 volts.  If that is the case (12v only), they are certainly unsuitable for use in our RV.

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George Hatfield

  Never ever use World Line Motors of Nacogdoches for service!

Re: These LEDs could be dangerous

Reply #3 –
Quote from: George Hatfield –
I was wondering about that too since I have the charger on most of the time and the voltage is about 13.5 volts.  If that is the case (12v only), they are certainly unsuitable for use in our RV.

Marinebeam.com has a good page on "why constant current is important for boats and RVs"  LED Drivers for marine LEDs
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: These LEDs could be dangerous

Reply #4 –
Thanks Michelle.  Wish I had read this earlier!  I am going to try to return the bulbs, but from the website, returns must be to China, so I'm not too hopeful.  Lesson learned.  Still looking for something bright enough to replace the 1076.
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George Hatfield

  Never ever use World Line Motors of Nacogdoches for service!

Re: These LEDs could be dangerous

Reply #5 –
Quote from: George Hatfield –
Still looking for something bright enough to replace the 1076.

www.LEDwholesalers.com - Bayonet Single Contact BA15s White 8-30 Volt DC 18LED is a 252 lumen option.  You could also e-mail them and ask if they are planning to get the warm white version of this one back in stock anytime soon (it's listed as 300 lumens)  www.LEDwholesalers.com - Bayonet Single Contact BA15s 8-30V DC&12V AC 60LED

I think those are the same bayonet as the 1076's you're asking about.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: These LEDs could be dangerous

Reply #6 –
There are numerous LED replacements on the market for the 1076 bulb, but all have output in the 250-300 lumen range.  The standard 1076 is about 400 lumens.  In my experience 250-300 is not bright enough for a reading lamp.
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George Hatfield

  Never ever use World Line Motors of Nacogdoches for service!

Re: These LEDs could be dangerous

Reply #7 –
Thanks for the update and the explanation on why there is an issue.  I would not have understood why they were burning out without the link explaining the reasoning. 
Best of Travels

Re: These LEDs could be dangerous

Reply #8 –
Awful feeling that I bought the same ones !!
Jimmy
2003 U295 3620

Re: These LEDs could be dangerous

Reply #9 –
I read an article in one of the RV Mags about led's with cardboard insulators, that said if they do not have a voltage regulator built in they could catch fire,if I still have the old book I will post it.
 
The selected media item is not currently available.Bill&Doris 97 U270 36'
University of Parris Island Class of 66
Semper Fi  Build# 5174 MC#17094

Re: These LEDs could be dangerous

Reply #10 –
I contacted the seller and they promptly refunded all of my money.
The selected media item is not currently available.
George Hatfield

  Never ever use World Line Motors of Nacogdoches for service!

Re: These LEDs could be dangerous

Reply #11 –
It has been quite a while since we installed all of our LEDs and with the coach plugged in, we have had zero failures. I did check with most when I ordered them and many were good to 15V. All bulbs/strips are connected directly without any "voltage stablizer".

The Chinese manufacturers are using U.S. sellers for most of their products now so if you check the ebay box, "USA seller", it only shows products shipped out of the U.S. Delivery time is just 3-4 days instead of 2 weeks or so. Makes returns a lot easier if necessary. They are so inexpensive that an extra 10% for a U.S. shipper may be worth it.

The failed bulb shown above had a lot of LEDs in very close proximity and while very efficient, they do generate some heat and together, quite a bit of heat. Any resistance where the bulb plugs in can also add to the heat.

 A 4 watt MR16 spot LED bulb in warm white makes a perfect reading light. I ordered the two prong base to go with the bulbs and then modified a couple of 110V lamps to take the bulbs. The styling goes much better with the interior and is light years ahead of the totally useless lamps our coach came with. See photos below.
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: These LEDs could be dangerous

Reply #12 –
Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart –

 A 4 watt MR16 spot LED bulb in warm white makes a perfect reading light. I ordered the two prong base to go with the bulbs and then modified a couple of 110V lamps to take the bulbs. The styling goes much better with the interior and is light years ahead of the totally useless lamps our coach came with. See photos below.


Pierce, I did not see any photos attached (yet) but details; we need DETAILS!
 
What is involved with modifying 110V lamps to use these great and inexpensive bulbs????
 
Thanks,
 
Trent
Trent and Jean Eyler
2000  U295  4003  WTFE  ISC  350
Build#5603 MC#17385

Re: These LEDs could be dangerous

Reply #13 –
Trent,

Try a different web browser or if still can't see them, go to a forum for your browser. I can see them on Firefox, Chrome and Safari. Probably something turned off in your browser's preferences. I can email them to you all other options failing.

Here are a couple more shots of the reading lights. I bought a couple of these at Home Depot for less than $4 each and just took them apart. They had the Deco look that we like. Since the MR16 bulb is push on, you have to put a ring or silicon somewhere to keep them from vibrating out and falling on the floor/sofa.

Find 10 of the base/sockets for $2.75 delivered at: 10pcs MR16 MR11 Socket Base LED Bulb Halogen Lamp Lighting Holder Wire Connector

The MR16 base was pretty easy to mount with a couple of small screws. Epoxy would be another method. Home Depot, Ikea or browse online would be good to see what style fixture you find most attractive. I like warm white best for the bulb. This may be found in the lower Kelvin temperature numbers (3500K) compared to white white at somewhere around 6000K.

Two more photos below.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)
 

Re: These LEDs could be dangerous

Reply #14 –
Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart –

Here are a couple more shots of the reading lights.

Find 10 of the base/sockets for $2.75 ...

The MR16 base was pretty easy to mount with a couple of small screws.


Pierce,
 
Sorry, my bad; I was looking for photos of your conversion process :-)
 
Will look into your references, thank you.
 
Trent
Trent and Jean Eyler
2000  U295  4003  WTFE  ISC  350
Build#5603 MC#17385