LED INTERIOR LIGHTS.

[Kelvin12]

G'Day All,

Any recommendations on interior LED's. I have tried an 18 globe LED and it was pretty poor, more of a pencil beam type thing rather than a fanned out beam. All up at this stage I have 2 in the lounge area and 2 in the kitchen. Bathroom 1 and bedroom 1 with additional reading lights. Not interested in down lights. Thanks in advance for any ideas.

Dirk

[SteveW]

Do the LEDs go into an existing receptacle, if so, what type?

[Kelvin12]

G'Day Steve,

No new installation, (work in progress)......

Dirk

[SteveW]

Here are some pics from a conversion I did on a previous caravan:

IMG_6491.jpg

IMG_6494.jpg

This uses the garden variety caravan lamp holder. The LED panels are off ebay and are available in warm or cool white. I found them very reliable, effective and efficient.

[BruceS]

I used the metre long strips. 4 of them basically in the 4 corners of the Civilian.
The long ones don't tend to create shadowed areas ...... much like a Flouro.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/LED-ALUMINIU ... 3a82568479

[T1 Terry]

I have heaps of different type and style LED's, the bathroom is 3w down lights with 180 deg spread, one above the sink area and one infront of the shower, a cool white above the sink/mirror and a warn white closer to the door, it was like a near death experience when you turned them on at night with both of them cool white. I have 3 x 3-1w 180deg spread i the kitchen at home, twice the useable light than the 50w halogens they replaced. A long strip light of warm white across the beam in the back patio, plenty bright enough to read and do a jigsaw etc. The waterproof leadlight strips put out so much light you need to either defuse them or angle them so they don't shine in your eyes, enough to light up the whole area under an awning, so it's a matter of deciding how you want the lighting raher than LEDs being bright enough, they are certainly that and can spread quite a wide light if you use the right ones.

[Greynomad]

Kelvin,
I've gradually replaced all the incandescent lights in our Winnie with LEDs.
You simply specify BC (Bayonet Cap) or ES (Edison Screw) for the base and, as mentioned above, warm or cool white.
I've installed cool white throughout.
Light output is amazing, and current draw is 3/5 of 5/8 of bugger-all. Barely registers on the 12v ammeter.
Easy to read under, meal-table is well-lit with two, bedside lights are almost searchlights!
They are generally available; auto-elecs, BCF, Bunnings, even K-Mart & Target are advertising them, now!
Just hunt out the best price & go for it.

[Kelvin12]

Thanks crew for the input. Gives me a heap to look into now.

Dirk

[T1 Terry]

Price and range wise, these are hard to beat http://dx.com/ put LED and what power and type on connecttor or voltage you require in the search box, generally you can get an idea of how good they are or aren't by the comments section for each product. What appears to be exactly the same product while still having a different SKU number is most likely from a different supplier so quality can vary. Order each lot seperately, otherwise, if any are out of stock your order isn't sent until they have everything, it can really slow down delivery

[bellett65]

I have done my van, the same fittings as Steve. initially I used similar led fittings. I found that they got to hot. After researching I found that many of that type have little black spots at the solder points. Don't know what they are called but that type were no good. I then did the job with some very expensive ones from my local Jayco dealer. Tried one worked well so I got a better deal by buying ten. I now find that with all switched on they barely show up any amps drawn. There is ten of them in the van, when they are all on you need sun glasses inside.

Also did the outside light, that did not work to well. So I am looking at those led light bars to see it I can mount one up under the awning using the awning mount to fit the bracket. The hard part is finding one that the current draw is not horrendous as most seem to draw around 30 watts.

Peter