Converting to LED

[Row10]

I have a 2008 Jayflight G2 25RKS.
I have been told, and have read, several things touting the advantages of LED bulbs over incandescent.

Has anyone done the conversion?
Our camper is stored several miles away, and I would like to order bulbs online.
This may sound lazy, as I could always go to the unit and check the bulbs myself. I'm just trying to save a trip if possible.

Question is, what type bulbs do I need for this conversion?
Anyone with knowledge of this operation, I would welcome your input.


Thank you, Happy camping

 

[Iraqvet05-JAY]

I have done the conversion. The type of bulb depends on your application. If you have the ceiling mounted, oblong plastic housings you can use the flat panel SMD (surface mounted diode) "festoons" like this https://www.amazon.com/Cutequeen-Trading-48-SMD-Festoon-Adapter/dp/B00FKPJJNY/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1538678449&sr=8-14&keywords=LED+SMD+festoon

I tried the 36 LED version but found them too dim so I used the 48 LED panels instead. I also prefer bright white while others prefer warm white.

 

[Camper_bob]

WAY too many options. LOTS of discussion throughout the forum as well, run a search for quite a bit of bedside reading.

I did this to my travel trailer a few years ago, and went through a few iterations of LEDs that didn't work well for me for various reasons. Mostly it was the color, but some weren't bright enough either. If the actual Kelvin rating is not listed, don't buy. The term "warm white" or "white" is subjective, but the Kelvin rating is not.

I ended up with these from Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EL13ISA/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

They are the right color, and the right brightness such that they are an almost exact match for the OEM bulbs that were in my lights. They actually were a little brighter, which is nice. Over time I ended up with these panels in ALL my fixtures, and never had a problem.

They are polarity sensitive, so if it doesn't work the first try, you might try to reverse it. And the adhesive worked well even if it isn't 3M. I did take extra care prepping the surfaces with alcohol to ensure longevity.

 

[DocBrown-JAY]

I used 48 led panels that I bought from Ebay. $21 for 15 bulbs. They came with adapters for each common bulb base. The more expensive ones have regulators that are known to interfere with TV signals. These do not have regulators. At the time we bought the bulbs other options were several dollars per replacement and I think they still are. After 4 1/2 seasons of use save for the adhesive they are holding up well. They are supposedly "warm white" but are actually a bit whiter than that. Still we are very pleased with them.

Our biggest motivation was that the old bulbs were really hot. If we had the one on above the couch you could feel the heat off of it.

 

[Camper_bob]

...snip

Our biggest motivation was that the old bulbs were really hot. If we had the one on above the couch you could feel the heat off of it.

+1, that's exactly why I did it too.

 

[Flyrotor-JAY]

I bought these on Amazon

Kohree 12 Volt Replacement Bulb 921 Wedge LED Bulb, 12V T10 Interior Lighting RV Light Bulbs for Trailer Motorhome 5th Wheel, Marine Boat Dome Light Replacement(Pack of 4, 4000K Natural White)

Two biggest advantages are
1: much lower operating temp
2: 10 of these bulbs use about the same energy as a single incandescent bulb.

$40 to change out all the bulbs in my trailer.

 

[2edgesword]

There are advantages to LED bulbs. The two main advantages are less power and less heat. You'll need to know the existing bulb type to know the correct style of LED bulb to order. As far as color/brightness, the bulbs I ordered were whiter and brighter than the standard bulbs. Unfortunately this was five years ago so I can't make a specific recommendation but I purchased them through Amazon. The 921 seems to be common...

https://www.campingworld.com/6-pack-of-led-bulbs-921-applications

 

[Row10]

Thanks for all the great responses.
I've been reading a lot about this, on this forum, and elsewhere. There really are quite a few options.
I'm definitely going to change the bulbs, it's just a matter of which are the best application for my situation.


Thanks again

 

[RedHorse1]

I’ve replaced the incandescent bulbs in both TT’s we’ve owned. My suggestions are:
1) figure out what the original bulb is and what you want to replace it with. ( the flat “festoon” type that work well in the flat oblong fixtures) but other fixtures may need a different style)
2) search the inter web for the specs on the original bulb. you want 2 numbers. The brightness measured in lumens and the color temperature measured in Degrees Kelvin.
3) Decide if you want dimmer, brighter or the same brightness and what color you want (I prefer 2500-3000K, below that the color is too yellow and above too blue).
Amazon and eBay have been good sources for me. I’m currently shopping for bulbs for our dining light (it happens to be an 1156 bulb IIRC, like an auto brake light) and I can find many replacements that are 6000K which are described as “white, bright white, cool white” but to me they’re blue.
I also suggest buying a few extras in case you have some failures.