LED Light Bulb Replacements

[A2SuperCrew]

Hello Everyone,

I've been reading up on LED bulb replacements for the standard bulbs used inside our popup.  In our case the overhead lights use a "921" bulb, and the bunk end lights use a "912".  I've searched through a couple different web sites in search of LED replacements, but ended up confused.  Have any of you already done this, and can point me to a source for these LED bulbs?

Thanks in advance!  

[chasd60]

I can't vouch for the brightness or suitability of their bulbs but http://www.superbrightleds.com/ has a lot of options.
 
I changed to fluorescent bulbs that draw .4 to .5A per fixture instead of 1.4A per bulb. I do have a nice solar charging system in my hybrid though.

[campdaddy]

I can't vouch for the brightness or suitability of their bulbs but http://www.superbrightleds.com/ has a lot of options.
 
I changed to fluorescent bulbs that draw .4 to .5A per fixture instead of 1.4A per bulb. I do have a nice solar charging system in my hybrid though.

I purchased both a 1156 Amber 36LED for the outside lamp and a white T-10 36 LED for use inside above the sink/stove from this superbrightleds place. While neither are as bright as the bulbs they replaced, both are quite adequate. The amber outside lamp was actually too bright with the original bulb so it is now just right with the LED replacement. The inside light is quite usable. As a matter of fact I plan to replace the other bulbs in the pup with the LEDs.  The light from an LED is a little harsher than an incandescent and takes a little getting use to but then they only draw something like 0.12 amps so it's worth getting use to it if you plan to do much dry camping.

We also have a couple of these lamps
that work great. Note: We did not buy from this retailer, we found ours locally. We only used one set of batteries all last season in this lamp and on the high setting they put out a lot of light. Note: Your mileage may vary  :p

[A2SuperCrew]

Thank you both for your replies.

I think I'll give the T-10's a try in our overhead lights.  They look like they will do the trick, and it's very helpful to hear they work well for you, Campdaddy.

We'll be dry camping in the Smokys this summer, and would like to conserve battery.  The original bulbs are too bright too, so a slightly dimmer LED will be fine.  

Thanks again!

A2SuperCrew

[abbear]

I purchased 2 of the 36 led 1156 bulbs and replaced one side at each end of our camper.  That way we have the led come on in the first switch position and the incandescent comes on as well in the second.  Seems to work well for us...
 
Tim5055 has a great site that covers this and much more

http://www.title-3.com/

[AustinBoston]

Just today, I received a shipment of LED Tail Lights that I installed in the Taj MaHaul.  The ones I got were the right-angle ones because the socket points to the side.

These things are significantly brighter than the old bulbs, and were a simple plug-in replacement.  They will not work in most tow vehicles, though, because of the fault detection circuits.

Austin

[A2SuperCrew]

Hey AustinBoston,

Do those LED Taillight bulbs illuminate the entire lense?  The more I shop around that web site, the more I find I could really spend a chunk of change there!  

[chasd60]

The more I shop around that web site, the more I find I could really spend a chunk of change there!

Once think you have found what you want, check EBAY, they have some great deals.

[AustinBoston]

Hey AustinBoston,

Do those LED Taillight bulbs illuminate the entire lense?  The more I shop around that web site, the more I find I could really spend a chunk of change there!  

No, not really.  I found that they worked better when I turned the lens over (so that it used a flat part of the lens instead of the "fresnel lens" that is supposed to focus the light from a bulb (but didn't really do so).  They're bright enough so that you won't miss them, which was not the case with the bulbs.

If you really want something that will do that, check out the ones that have a bulb base, but the LED's are mounted on a PCB connected to the bulb base by wires.  That would fill the entire lens, but I didn't feel like trying to fiddle with the mounting.

Austin

[A2SuperCrew]

Well, I ordered a pair of 36-LED T-10's from http://www.superbrightleds.com/

They shipped today too!  Wow, that was fast!  I'll post and let everyone know how they work out.  

Thank you again for your help on the topic!    

[Jestercat]

Very interested.... let everyone know as soon as you find out....

[Hawk]

As a modelrailroader as well as a camper.  I have taken all the 12 regular bulbs and converted them to all LED's.  and I can say without a doubt  if you have a little skill with soldering. and wiring.  then depending on your trailer/rv you can run your light almost forever.  because they are only taking milliamps to run.  
 
On my railroad layout.  I have a 9 volt battery that runs 24 lights, that are bright, and will last for a few days consistantly. and depending on the LED itself you can get wide spread light or focused beam light.  some may be expensive to purchace,  but well worth the time and battery saving

[A2SuperCrew]

My new LED lights from superbrightleds.com arrived very quickly.  I installed them the other night, and am impressed.  Like CampDaddy, I have two 36-LED T-10 lights in our overheads.  I used one in each light.  They provide more than enough light to move around the camper safely.  It's not enough light to read by, but we have seperate reading lamps in the bunk ends for that.  I think this was a good purchase, and we will enjoy the extra battery life!  

Thank you everyone for your input!  

[ldgregory]

It's not enough light to read by, but we have seperate reading lamps in the bunk ends for that.  I think this was a good purchase, and we will enjoy the extra battery life!

It's interesting you say there wasn't enough light to read by. I have them installed in my PUP and aside from the bluish tint, reading at the dinette was no problem at all.

http://www.pcwize.com/galleries/santa_barbara_07/big/SANTA_BARBARA031.JPG

http://www.pcwize.com/galleries/santa_barbara_07/big/SANTA_BARBARA032.JPG

http://www.pcwize.com/galleries/santa_barbara_07/big/SANTA_BARBARA049.JPG

http://www.pcwize.com/galleries/santa_barbara_07/big/SANTA_BARBARA050.JPG

I was even thinking of putting two 36 LED arrays per fixture (I have three fixtures) and I'd still be able to run all six LED arrays for less than a single 921 bulb (738mA for six LEDs vs. 1.4A for one 921 bulb).

I bought my 36 LED arrays from http://superlumination.com/906.htm for $15 a piece which was cheaper than the $20 SuperBrightLEDs.

All in all I'm very happy with them and the savings on the battery consumption.

Leif.

[A2SuperCrew]

Maybe I didn't allow enough time for my eyes to adjust.  I walked out from the fully-lit house out to the dark camper to check out the lights.  I think the blue hue of the light makes it a little harder for me to see a small paperback book too.  Thanks for the link to superlumination.com.  I like the price, and may go there for two more so each overhead has two.  I'm thinking a yellow array would be good for the outside light as well.  

Cheers!