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Topic: Interior florescent Light replacement with LEDs (Read 1256 times) previous topic - next topic

Interior florescent Light replacement with LEDs

Seems like a remember a post from a while back that addressed replacing the interior ceiling florescent lights with LEDs.  I'm not finding anything using the search (I'm sure this is operator error) Has anyone done this project?  Would really appreciate any advice or suggestions. 
Thanks in advance for your help.
Dave Abel  dave_abel74@yahoo.com
'00 U320 36'
Dave and Nancy Abel
'00 U320 36' WTFE  Build #5669
'10 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon
Livingston, TX  SKP's Fulltiming

Re: Interior florescent Light replacement with LEDs

Reply #1 –
I have ordered one of these to see how they work.  They can be cut in length.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230542715688&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Tom Lang K6PG (originally  KC6UEC)
and Diane Lang
2003 38 U295 build 6209
2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit Ecodiesel
still have tow-ready 2006 Acura MDX 
Temple City, California
Motorcade 16681 California Chapter President
SKP 16663 member of SKP Park of the Sierra, Coarsegold California
FMCA F071251
Retired electrical and electronic engineer

Re: Interior florescent Light replacement with LEDs

Reply #2 –
Tom,
 
Looks really good.  Can't wait to hear your report.  100,000 hour life.  Incredible.  I bet they are much cheaper in 100' rolls.
George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.

Re: Interior florescent Light replacement with LEDs

Reply #3 –
The first place I want to try is in the patio light over the entry door.  My second ballast just burned out in two years, and I don't want to replace a third one next year.
Tom Lang K6PG (originally  KC6UEC)
and Diane Lang
2003 38 U295 build 6209
2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit Ecodiesel
still have tow-ready 2006 Acura MDX 
Temple City, California
Motorcade 16681 California Chapter President
SKP 16663 member of SKP Park of the Sierra, Coarsegold California
FMCA F071251
Retired electrical and electronic engineer

Re: Interior florescent Light replacement with LEDs

Reply #4 –
Hi Tom,
 
Yes, I ordered one too; we'll see how they look. Thanks for the information.
 
Jim Frerichs 2002 U320
Jim Frerichs
2002 U320 42'

Re: Interior florescent Light replacement with LEDs

Reply #5 –
Howdy Tom, 
  Thanks for the feedback.  I'm going to order one and give it a try.
Dave Abel
Dave and Nancy Abel
'00 U320 36' WTFE  Build #5669
'10 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon
Livingston, TX  SKP's Fulltiming

Re: Interior florescent Light replacement with LEDs

Reply #6 –
Quote
Seems like a remember a post from a while back that addressed replacing the interior ceiling florescent lights with LEDs.  I'm not finding anything using the search (I'm sure this is operator error) Has anyone done this project?  Would really appreciate any advice or suggestions.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Dave Abel  dave_abel74@yahoo.com
'00 U320 36'
Dave,
My 1st post so bear with me...
I have replaced ALL my florescent tubes with LED tubes of identical dimension.
These tubes have 3 rows of LEDS giving 180 degree light spread. I've replaced all bulbs and wall fixtures with latest bulb consisting of 5 rows of three LEDS each.
So simple, throw the ballast away, you simply connect the two wires together, the positive and negative wires.
If you need any additional bulbs or bulb holder sockets, they can be found in hardware stores.

I can send photos (when I figure out how) of the installations.
Remember, I can have ten lights burning using no more current than one standard light.
Or to put it another way...standard light 10% of the current makes light, 90% makes heat.
LED, 90% makes light, 10% makes heat.

Any questions, please ask.

Gordy Muetz
Fulltime 8 years
2000 Foretravel 40Ft U270
2004 Featherlite 24Ft 14,000lb GVWR
2010 HarleyDavidson Road King
1986 Suzuki Samurai TinTop
Co-Driver, Wife, Karen

Re: Interior florescent Light replacement with LEDs

Reply #7 –
Gordy, please tells us the source of these bulbs and approximate costs.
The selected media item is not currently available.Kent Speers
Locust Grove, OK
1993 U300 SSE 40' (Restored at FOT 2009) Build 4323
720 watts Solar
6V92TA DDEC Silver Engine
2014 Subaru Outback

Re: Interior florescent Light replacement with LEDs

Reply #8 –
Gordy,

I just gave your Karma a boost for a really informative first post.  I look forward to seeing photos.
George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.

Re: Interior florescent Light replacement with LEDs

Reply #9 –
Gordy, can you provide a link to your LED supplier?

George, my Karma is running slow too.
Tom Lang K6PG (originally  KC6UEC)
and Diane Lang
2003 38 U295 build 6209
2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit Ecodiesel
still have tow-ready 2006 Acura MDX 
Temple City, California
Motorcade 16681 California Chapter President
SKP 16663 member of SKP Park of the Sierra, Coarsegold California
FMCA F071251
Retired electrical and electronic engineer

Re: Interior florescent Light replacement with LEDs

Reply #10 –
Tom,
 
I am intrigued at your idea to use these LEDs for a porch light.  I look forward to reading about your results.

And, I just kicked up your Karma a notch.  Now, let's see some photos and description when you complete this project.
George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.

Re: Interior florescent Light replacement with LEDs

Reply #11 –
LEDs:
First post I miss spoke...
"if you need bulbs or bulb holder sockets"  this SHOULD read
If you need bulb holder sockets, you can get them at hardware stores.
My source for the bulbs was the Chinese guy in the LED booth at
the Arizona Market Place in Yuma, AZ.
At first, I bought a few LED strips and they were quite expensive.
When I found out the advantages of LEDs, I went back and bought a few of the florescent replacement bulbs, they also were expensive.
After I decided to do my entire coach, the price was virtually cut in half, per bulb.
I can't give exact price at this time, but all bulbs in coach and bays came to less than $900.
I would have to go back and find all of our receipts for the exact cost.

still working on the photography part.....
Gordy Muetz
Fulltime 8 years
2000 Foretravel 40Ft U270
2004 Featherlite 24Ft 14,000lb GVWR
2010 HarleyDavidson Road King
1986 Suzuki Samurai TinTop
Co-Driver, Wife, Karen

Re: Interior florescent Light replacement with LEDs

Reply #12 –
Price, Wattage, Candlepower.

I am curious about the effect on the eyes. I used to have all the office coolwhite fluorescent bulbs replaced with daylight fluorescent bulbs. Colors were brighter, more natural and people tended to have fewer headaches from this more natural light, especially when having to do a lot of work where they would normally encounter eyestrain.

LEDs last longer but are they easier on the eyes? Or just a fad? Or just a way to remove one problem that keeps repeating itself?
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Interior florescent Light replacement with LEDs

Reply #13 –
The warm white LEDs are going to have a color temperature (and color rendering index) close to halogen and incandescent, so that should be better than some fluorescents (the bulbs in the eBay listing mentioned are warm white). 

A side benefit will be for any A/V equipment IR "eyes".  Some fluorescent ballasts can output noise in the same frequency range as the IR receiver is designed to respond, interfering with remote control signals.  We see that here in the S&B with our dimmable CF recessed can lights - can't operate the TV until the CFs are fully warmed up (about a minute or so).

Michelle
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: Interior florescent Light replacement with LEDs

Reply #14 –
Unless one boondocks a LOT or is a dedicated "GREENIE", the cost and effort, of going to "All LED" will probably NOT come out too good in your "Cost/Benefit" analysis.
If you DO boondock a lot, the price becomes immaterial, as long as you can afford it.  Boondockers usually live off solar panels and batteries and having lights on in the evening (especially in winter) drawing only ten percent of normal wattage, is a GREAT benefit.
If you are always plugged into the grid then, you probably won't notice much change. 
Instead of using our "installed" CRT TV set, we now use our notebook computers for TV/Video viewing.
I am currently waiting in vain for somebody to put an 8KW propane fuel cell out on the market so I can have immediate, quiet, power for electrics, and hot water as a by product.  Someday, maybe.
I just hate other peoples generators..............
Regards,
JON TWORK KB8RSA
Full Time RVer (10+ Years) & Dedicated Boondocker
Retired, Unemployed, Homeless Transients
1996 Foretravel U270-36 w/24' Timberwolf Trailer
I firmly believe that tomorrow holds the possibility for new technologies, astounding discoveries, and a reprieve from my remaining obligations.
Welcome to WeRV2 (Under Construction)
Find Jon: Via Satellite Tracker Datastorm Users
The Second Amendment is in place in case they ignore the others.

Re: Interior florescent Light replacement with LEDs

Reply #15 –
Howdy Gordy, 
  Thanks for the very informative post.  I'm very interested in what LED tubes you used for the replacements.  Did your fixtures use 24" or 18" tubes??  All my light fixtures use 18" tubes. I can find 24" LED replacement tubes , but having trouble locating 18".  Any information you dig up, would be greatly appreciated.
Dave Abel
Dave and Nancy Abel
'00 U320 36' WTFE  Build #5669
'10 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon
Livingston, TX  SKP's Fulltiming