Brighter led bulbs

[Jump]

Hello all,

I've been told there are no stupid questions but there are inquisitive idiots!

I guess I fall into the latter category.

I want to replace the led bulbs in the ceiling of my Greyhawk for something a bit brighter. Upon inspecting the fixture, it calls for a 12 vdc and 20 watt max bulb.

My question is this: Does 20 watt max mean the actual wattage of the led or does it mean 20 watt equivalent to an incandescent? Most of the led bulbs I see are around 1 to 3 watts actual wattage. No where close to 20 watts. Hence my confusion.

If anyone could explain this to me I would be most grateful.

Jump

[wabirch]

AC fixture watt ratings are tied to the gauge of the wire inside the fixture. While you may have a 14 gauge wire from the panel feeding the fixture, the smaller wires inside the fixture are in play. I would expect the 12v fixture labeling to follow the same limitation.

[RedHorse1]

Originally Posted by Jump

Hello all,

I've been told there are no stupid questions but there are inquisitive idiots!

I guess I fall into the latter category.

I want to replace the led bulbs in the ceiling of my Greyhawk for something a bit brighter. Upon inspecting the fixture, it calls for a 12 vdc and 20 watt max bulb.

My question is this: Does 20 watt max mean the actual wattage of the led or does it mean 20 watt equivalent to an incandescent? Most of the led bulbs I see are around 1 to 3 watts actual wattage. No where close to 20 watts. Hence my confusion.

If anyone could explain this to me I would be most grateful.

Jump

It’s for an incandescent bulb. If you are wanting a brighter bulb research the incandescent bulb’s brightness (lumens) and then look for an LED replacement with more lumens output.

[Jump]

Thanks for the replies. I now feel a little smarter!

Jump

[RedHorse1]

Forgot to add the 2nd part of the LED puzzle, color. To my eyes, LED color ranges from yellow to blue. I prefer the color in 3000-4000 K (Kelvin) range. To me it matches an incandescent bulb pretty close. Numbers higher will range from white-white to blue, which I don’t care for.

[RogerR]

Some fixtures that are fully enclosed (and maybe others) have a warning due to heat from the bulbs. An LED bulb also makes heat but much less.

A 20 watt regular bulb will produce much more heat than the equivalent output LED.

LEDs do produce heat at the base and only ones rated for enclosed fixtures should be used or there life will be much shorter lifetime.

If the base is way overheated than you will end up with fixtures like the recalled ones that would overheat.