L.E.D. bulb experience

[Dave&Ginny]

I know in the past there were several of you that were going to convert over to the LED light bulbs. I can't seem to find all of the posts on this subject.

What has been your experience and what bulb did you try? I've found bulbs ranging from $3.30 to $16.00 each and I think they're all made in china.

dave

[mhs4771]

Dave, give me a week or so and I'll let you know. I have a shipment due this week with LEDs to replace every light in our 36RL. I ordered them thru a member on the Montana Forum who got hooked up with a supplier, yes in China, but everyone on the MOC that got them raves about them. So time will tell. BTW approx $350 to replace all bulbs inside the unit.

[Enroute]

My new 36RL was delivered today and sadly, it was delivered without the LED lights that I was told would be in there. The factory installed them LED lights last week and found that they did not work properly. Needless to say, Redwood pulled all the LED lights out and replaced them with the standard halogen bulbs. I have not seen my new coach yet as it just arrived at the dealer today. Sadly I have to wait until the 14th of July until I can get down to the dealer to pick it up. Going to be a long 10 days....

[Dave&Ginny]

Originally Posted by Enroute

My new 36RL was delivered today and sadly, it was delivered without the LED lights that I was told would be in there. The factory installed them LED lights last week and found that they did not work properly. Needless to say, Redwood pulled all the LED lights out and replaced them with the standard halogen bulbs. I have not seen my new coach yet as it just arrived at the dealer today. Sadly I have to wait until the 14th of July until I can get down to the dealer to pick it up. Going to be a long 10 days....

Sorry to hear you didn't get the trailer in time for the 4th. But soon the wait will be over and we've all gone through it.

Sort of like having a baby, first you order it (conception) and then you just patiently wait for the delivery. In a few months you'll look back and say it wasn't so bad but placing the order is always the fun part.

[Enroute]

Sorry to hear you didn't get the trailer in time for the 4th. But soon the wait will be over and we've all gone through it.

Sort of like having a baby, first you order it (conception) and then you just patiently wait for the delivery. In a few months you'll look back and say it wasn't so bad but placing the order is always the fun part.
[/QUOTE]

You are right for sure! This is my 4th RV and the 2nd one that I actually ordered direct from the factory. I remember when my current Montana arrived and there were a few things wrong. Dealer and factory worked hand in hand and got everything corrected within a reasonable amount of time...that was 8 years ago and now here I am, moving into a Redwood next weekend. Thank goodness I am not having kids every 8 years or I'd be in serious trouble!

[Tobys Home]

We feel your pain. We're just three weeks into loving our new coach. Still lots of things to explore and tweak and admire. Oh YES�those unexpected guests that would like to know and see more of your home. Boy are we all lucky to have chosen such a stand out. (Redwood Don't fail us now!) The forum has helped us through every step, from the long wait, picking up goodies, delivery day, PDI, moving in and finally living in our coaches. Good luck with your baby and enjoy every moment of the experience.

[mhs4771]

OK, got my shipment of LEDs and have changed out all bulbs inside to LEDs. Now I can turn on every lite and don't have to listen to the Converter fan. They are not the cheapest, but are very well constructed and much less than those CW sells. If interested the price sheet can be found here:
http://www.pdf-archive.com/2012/07/0...d-brochure.pdf
As a general disclaimer, I have no interest in the sale of these bulbs, they are purchased thru an individual on the Montana Owners Forum, who once receives enough orders, places it with the Manufacturer. The whole process can take several months.

[Lawr&Moe]

They may sound expensive but they should last much longer. The first weekend we were out one of the bulbs over the island burnt up, replacement $16 for 2! Sounds bad when you do them all at once but no noise and it will help if you have less that 50A service on a hot day and want to turn on a light.

[Adamsvr]

I replaced all of our ceiling halogen lights with LED's. They come from China and only cost $1.49 each. Takes about three weeks for delivery, but with a price like that, I found the wait worth it.

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Edited by: Adamsvr

[Grandpa]

One caution regarding the LED bulbs. Pay close attention to the 'Lumen' number for the LED's you purchase. The higher the Lumen number the brighter the bulb. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the Halogen bulbs we replace are 10 or 20 watts so the LED equivilent should be 200 to 250 Lumens to achieve the same light output. Here's a chart from clarkhoward.com for reference:


<CENTER>
<TABLE style="WIDTH: 301px; HEIGHT: 194px" border=1 cellSpacing=5 cellPadding=4 width=301><T>
<T>
<TR>
<TH colSpan=2>How Much Light Do I Need?</TH></TR>
<TR>
<TD align=middle>
<DIV style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 3px">Incandescent BulbsWATTS</TD>
<TD align=middle>
<DIV style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 3px">Minimum Light OutputLUMENS</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD align=middle>40</TD>
<TD align=middle>450</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD align=middle>60</TD>
<TD align=middle>800</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD align=middle>75</TD>
<TD align=middle>&gt;1,100</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD align=middle>100</TD>
<TD align=middle>1,600</TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD align=middle>150</TD>
<TD align=middle>2,600</TD></TR></T></T></TABLE></CENTER>Edited by: Grandpa

[Adamsvr]

Incandescents do not compare to halogens, to the leds as reflected in the chart above. The ones I bought have about the same brightness as the halogens, with the same warm color.

[TravelinAnderson]

I would like to replace the lights above my chairs and bed with dimmer bulbs to make reading a little easier on the eyes.

[Adamsvr]

Steve, I believe all the leds are dimable the trick is going to be finding the right dimable switch that you like.

[Redwood2011]

Does anyone know the wattage for the halogen bulbs installed in the Redwoods?

[5th_Time]

Main lamps are 20W; under cabinets are 10W.

[Redwood2011]

Thanks. Looking at switching to LED.

[lillyputz]

Originally Posted by mhs4771

OK, got my shipment of LEDs and have changed out all bulbs inside to LEDs. Now I can turn on every lite and don't have to listen to the Converter fan. They are not the cheapest, but are very well constructed and much less than those CW sells. If interested the price sheet can be found here:

http://www.pdf-archive.com/2012/07/0...d-brochure.pdf

As a general disclaimer, I have no interest in the sale of these bulbs, they are purchased thru an individual on the Montana Owners Forum, who once receives enough orders, places it with the Manufacturer. The whole process can take several months.

I'm looking into replacing the interior bulbs with LEDs as quite a few have already burned out.

can you tell me which leds you went with and there location. for example. the ones for the high ceiling. did you go with the g4 220-270 lumens and g4 160-180 lumens under the counters. would you go with something differant next time.



Thanks Lillyputz

[mhs4771]

Those are the ones we went with. The high ceiling fixtures take the larger ones, while the ones under the cabinets take the smaller ones. The only problems we've had with them is that some don't want to stay in the socket (not a fault of the LEDs, but of the cheap sockets that RW used)I just bend the leads a little then they hold better. We really like them and don't worry about running the battery down if we're boondocking and not running the Genny, and even if running the Genny there's less load than those current hogs Halogens that came from the Factory. Sure wish RW and others Mfrs would off LEDs as an option.

Good Luck,
Michelle S.

[lillyputz]

Thanks Michelle,

Which one did you go with for the two lights over the kitchen island and wall sconces.

Thanks again

Lillyputz

[5th_Time]

John, if you've putthose CFLs in your house, and you love them... you'll probably like the color of LEDs in your 5th Wheel.