switch to LED from stock incandescent lamps

[TimF]

Many forum members offered advice/info on switching to LED. Thanks!! Yesterday I went to my Jayco dealer (RV One / Albany RV in upstate NY) to purchase LED's for my switch out. First, the Jayco parts counter person said I had to buy entirely new LED lamp holders (the forum members said this is NOT the case). Second, the Jayco dealer did not stock my socket style lamps (wedge base). So, I'm looking for other sources (Campers World is on the list). Did someone say that Amazon is a good source for LED lamps? Also, does anyone know of a source for a low Kelvin (~1800k to 2200k) LED (i.e. - warm light, not that cadaverous blind-you-blue/white fluorescent level light)? Finally, I've been told by someone who did the switch out that the LED lamps are much lower wattage than the stock incandescent. Is this true?
Thanks for whatever help you can provide.

[clubhouse]

I bought my replacement LED bulbs from Amazon. You can search my posts and find a review. M4Products is also a good source for quality LEDs. The ones I bought were 2500k, natural white with no blue hue. M4 have multiple colors available.

Neither M4 nor mine from Amazon are real cheap. Paid about $6 bulb and m4 are closer to $10 bulb. Many folks buy really cheap ones from eBay, $1 bulb, but when I tried that the color temp spec was not stated but I tried anyway and the light was very cool white and blue. We didn't care for it.

I am very pleased with the bulbs I got from Amazon, however more recent reviews indicate some were burning out. Maybe a bad batch recently, maybe I got lucky.

LEDs use significantly lower current. Maybe 1/100 of the power.

[rryman]

I got mine from Amazon. Think I paid about 2.50 ea. for them. Same lamp at our Camper World was 11.00. So far I really like them. And for that difference, I'll take my chances. They do significantly reduce current consumption. On our previous TT, I turned on all the lights I could and was reading around 18 amps. When I replaced with LED's, it dropped to around 2. I saved the old ones, and when we traded in our TT, I put the originals back in and used the LED's in the new unit.

[Seann45]

Amazon is the best place to get them you can also check out
LED4RV.com

[Flapper]

Second Amazon. Find out the lumens, the level of total light put out, for your current bulb, and go up or down from there if you want it brighter/dimmer for your LED's.
FYI - if going for the cheaper side, buy a fes extra. We found that they are not that well made, and some either never worked, or quit quickly thereafter. The ones that lasted a couple of days have kept going for over a year of intermittent use. But since they were only a couple of bucks each, getting extra is better than fighting a 3rd party vendor over one or two.

[bucko]

Are these 12 volt bulbs? If so, there are many sites that sell 12 volt bulbs in various sizes and socket types that will fit; you would not be limited to having to buy from an RV store. A simple google search will net you tons of online stores.

[jaycojls]

I bought mine through M4 Products. Very happy with my purchase, better quality too.
http://www.m4products.com/

[Chuck Hovonick]

Following a lead from another thread, I found and purchased the GRV T10 921 194 24-5050 SMD LED Bulbs from Amazon. I first ordered just two, but after trying them, ordered enough to completely convert all fixtures, including those in the baggage compartment. The color temperature matches the standard incandescents, and I was pleasantly surprised to find that they are a bit brighter than the 194's. As mentioned in that thread, they do require care in installing, holding them only by the base, but that's not a real problem. They are currently running about $6 apiece, but the increased brightness and reduced battery drain are more than worth it to me.

Chuck

[StarGazer]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00EKN...C8L&ref=plSrch

These are the one I got. They are just as bright as stock bulbs and are the warm white variety not that cold icy blue.

[Brownie]

I picked up several at Menard's. They are just a tad brighter than the standard incandescents, but are the same "warm white", and only use one amp. of 12V power. They normally retail for $9.99. but I picked up a few on clearance for $6.99. Unlike many of the ones you can purchase on line, these are not polarity sensitive, so they work no matter which way you insert them. BTW, they are shown on Menard's website, but they are only available in stores.

[nwminnesota]

I am very happy with my m4products. They are spendy but worth the extra $$. The color i bought was the warm white which seems to match the 921 color. Also the lumen output it fantastic there as bright or brighter than the 921s. Watt to lumen ratio is good they make very efficient led lamp. Remember you pay for what you get. Also the voltage range they operate is a good span. Not trying to plug them but I had a hard time justify the money for them but I am sure glad also no failure yet. Also did the math on wattage consumption think I can have 11.75 bulbs and it'll use the same amount of power as 1 921. I had posted what lamp and show my math on another thread it

[RedHorse1]

I bought my Led's from eBay with good results. I've done the replacement on both TT's we've owned. For the 921 bulbs I've used the flat card style of replacement and I look for a color temp of about 3000K and an output of about 180 Lumen. I give a miss to products that only use adjectives to describe the product (warm white, bright.....).

[nwminnesota]

Originally Posted by RedHorse1

. I give a miss to products that only use adjectives to describe the product (warm white, bright.....).

Very good point. They should give you all the ratings. Color which is in kelvin or k. Lumens. Amps draw (mA,m). Voltage range. And wattage. In lieu of amps the wattage rating should be alright to use.