LED bulb overhaul.... Pics & video

[zenbuck]

I have decided to convert all bulbs to LED in my 31 BHPR...


4 lamps used the 1141/1156 style bulb. I replaced them with this.



BS15S 1156 Base Single Contact Bayonet 8-30 Volt 18 x 5050 SMD LED 3.6w Warm White
#B002BN5ZT0
Cool to the touch and say 10% brighter light than the standard bulbs..

Next was the 921's in the domes on the inside + range bulb...



42-SMD T15 12V LED
#0087XOTWW
Huge improvement with these! A nice bright white! I could not believe how cool the fixtures are to the touch.

921's in outdoor kitchen..



68-SMD T15 12V LED
#B0096J90KW
Used a bulb with more LEDS.. Same coolness but brighter for the outdoor kitchen!

Lastly, the 13 interior puck lights...Type G4 Base. I ordered 1 of each version so I could see them shine inside.. The warm white was an exact match to what was factory installed. The cool white was a huge improvement and was what we liked best.



5050 SMD LED, 170 Lumen COOL WHITE
#B00B4351RO
5050 SMD LED, 140 Lumen WARM WHITE
#B009DRKQ1Y
Video links..
http://s134.photobucket.com/user/Pol...a89dc.mp4.html
http://s134.photobucket.com/user/Pol...6eb4f.mp4.html

With the old lighting, you could hear the converter fan kick on. When you turned on another light the fan would get louder.. With the LED's installed the fan is silent!
Cost ranged from 3.75 for the 921's to 8.50 for the 1141's..

The interior is nice and bright!

[enyapp]

Nice work on this. Thanks for including pictures and part numbers. The linked videos show a nice comparison. Much appreciated.

[vwatts5244]

We have been discussing doing the same thing. Can you share where you got the replacement bulbs and your cost?

[zenbuck]

Hello vw,
All purchased on Amazon.. Cost ranged from $3.75 for the 921's to $8.50 for the 1141's..

[vwatts5244]

Thank you Zenbuck

[Pmedic4]

I orders some of these:

42-SMD T15 12V LED
#0087XOTWW

We really aren't boondock campers, but I didn't like the heat of the 921 bulbs.
The only thing I noticed is the placement of the bulbs in the light fixtures seemed to be very sensitive? Seemed like I couldn't just push the LED lights in all the way, sort of had to position them about 2/3rds of the way into the sockets - and then I'm concerned that I'll have to reset them again after towing the RV.

Did you have the same issue? Lights coming out?

[zenbuck]

I had a few of the standard bulbs back out before the upgrade..Our LED bulbs seemed to plug in tight.. I have not been on the road yet since the install but will know next week...

[ctXman22]

Zenbuck

How hard is it remove the glass covers on the puck lights

[nwfla]

Originally Posted by ctXman22

Zenbuck

How hard is it remove the glass covers on the puck lights

Just grab the lip on the glass cover in between the roof. Don't rip, just pry slowly, there are 3 clips holding glass cover on. Some will be tougher, even tougher to get back on. A few of my clips had some surface rust, rub the rust off, will make it easier to get back on.
Might as well wipe them clean while you have them off.
I upgraded all but 3 bulbs...forgot about the bathroom and the single over the outside fridge. Will get some more 921 bulbs soon.
I can tell a big difference, those old bulbs burn way too hot.

[chartrand]

I did the same upgrade using eBay. Lights work great!!

[sjturbo]

Thanks very much for all of the information contributed by the wise one's who came before me on this topic. DW and I do mostly "boondocking" in National Forest CG's so I decided to go whole hog with led's. That means 32 interior (including the frig), and 2 exterior. I did not put them in the "scare light" or in the cargo area and I could not get led's to work in the slideout wall fixture. The ceiling fan/lilght is 120v so did not do that one. I used various types and styles that included BS15S 1156 Base Single Contact Bayonet 8-30 Volt 18 x 5050 SMD, 42-SMD T15 12V LED, 68-SMD T15 12V LED, 24 5050 led panel, and 48 5050 led panel. Oh, and a 14 led strip on the steps. Wish I had meters to show the results but I'm sure from what I have read that the reduction is significant. I used cool white (almost bright white), in most areas and warm white in areas for back ground light. All lights were ordered from various vendors on ebay and are from China. Shipping was between 48hrs (must drop ship from US) and 2.5 weeks. All lights functioned and I did some modifications to shorten the connection leads so I had less wiring in the fixture.

[Woodsrider]

I just ordered 24 of the 42 SMD T15's. I think that will do every fixture inside my Bullet, but I may end up wishing I would have went with a dimmer bulb for the fixtures in the bunks and at the head of the queen bed up front.

Total cost was $84.

[sjturbo]

Actually I think you will be good with the 42's in the bunks.

[Woodsrider]

Originally Posted by sjturbo

Actually I think you will be good with the 42's in the bunks.

You're right. The DW is very pleased with the results.
I replaced all 18 of the interior light bulbs tonight, and as I replaced each one I kept waiting for the inverter fan to come on. I was more than pleased when I had every light in the coach on and the inverter fan still didn't come on. I only have two more bulbs to replace with the 42's. The one in the range hood, and the one in the storage compartment.

[USAFK9]

In regards to changing out the stock puck lighting, do you have to remove the aluminum reflector to install the G4 base LED lights?

[zenbuck]

No..Just slowly pry off the glass cover, remove the old bulb and carefully install the new LED..

[JRTJH]

If, when you install the new LED, it doesn't work, unplug it, turn it over and reinstall it. Incandescent bulbs are not polarity driven, but LED's are.

Ie: if you have it plugged in with the pos/neg terminals reversed, it won't work, so just turn it around and you'll be "good to go."

[USAFK9]

I just replaced most of my lights with LED's and WOW what a difference! It took about 15 minutes to change them out in my Laredo 303TG and the inverter fan never kicked on after I changed them all out. Thanks for all the info and the guidance.