| Author | Message | ||
| CoryDane Rating: |
Well as I continue to work on many projects, it came to mind where a hall light was needed for night lighting. For actual people use, two Halogen fixtures were set up with the ability to switch both in series to drop to about half brilliance. Nice concept.... Ok back to the LED. There are many who propose to buy the LED and run to RadioCrap and by the resistors and all else and make their own. Good for you, I applaud you. I have done the same and for the life of me, have never come up with the sparkling reports that you fine people have shared. Now its easier...I ran to the neighborhood MENARDS and they have the Halogen PUCK lights but lookie right next to them, there is a slightly smaller puck light but it has LEDs in it. About $10 bucks a copy, will operate on 12v dc or ac. I tested it that night, very direct lighting, not a surprise knowing the LED lensing, about 9 or 10 LED in the fixture. Waited till night then added power and had a very strong light, (for an LED fixture). This would be perfect for a nightlight for those midnight runs to the frig, LOLOLOL, or to the bathroom to check your plumbing isn't leaking, HAR harr de har!!!! For me, it would be a bit too bright for driving if it were in the ceiling but for a night light while camping, perfect. No assembly required, just add power! Now thats my kind of project! OK, I've just about got all my fire mans outfit on, let the fire balls be thrown.......! This little note was for just in case you are looking for a really cheap to run light but didn't want to have to build it..... I was impressed! Ok, all the fire gear is on, let'er rip!!!!! CD | ||
| Pete/RTS Daytona (Pete_rtsdaytona)
Rating: N/A |
Hi Cory Putting the 2 Halogens in series will produce only 1/4 of the light - you half the voltage and half the current to each That is how I also wired my halogens - the lower setting is for "mood lighting" hee hee Pete RTS Daytona Got a brand name on those LED pucks - I found a replacement LED (4 LEDs) for my 10 watt halogens - but they were very very expensive (just for the bulbs) - I did get them from a marine suuply house on the net - everything marine is 2-3 times more expensive | ||
| ED Hackenbruch (Shadowman)
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Cory, could they be used as a reading lite for the bedroom? | ||
| CoryDane Rating: N/A |
They are intended to be installed under the cabinets in a kitchen. Obviously, they do not put out as much light as the Halogens. I went back out and turned out the lights to see how they would work as reading lamps...... I am considering using them as a map light by the copilot chair, however a beam from about 4' away still has a lit pattern of about 2' dia. Let me say, they do put out a bright white LED type light, like a very cold cool florescent, only somewhat subdued. However, that said, if shining off a white ceiling, or light colored wall, depending on how close/far they are from the surface, they seem to light that area well with some reflectivity. I was about 2 foot from the focused beam and could read fine print. If you need more distance, or more brightness, perhaps you could use two fixtures together. I tried applying frosted type Scotch tape to see if it would diffuse the light better. I had some luck with this. The further away you get, the more the light disperses and the effect is the light gets less intense though it still maintains that tight light pattern. THE BRAND NAME is QUANTUS accent lighting. Part number: 346-6450 The card calls them LED Puck Lights ENERGY SAVER LED BULBS *White LED Bulbs *Uses 50% of Energy vs Halogen Bulbs *Bulb life 10 times longer than Halogen Bulbs Part of the Specs *Input 12volts AC\DC OUTPUT 1 watts max Size 2" diameter, 11/16" thick Wire 18 guage Bi-pin (snap together) connector Clear shatterproof lens FOR INDOOR USE ONLY can be surface mounted or recessed without heat concerns. This comes as the puck light only, NO (zero) transformer, power block or extension cable Yes, I tend to like the marine stuff too and they do have higher prices. I PREFER marine to RV grade because the quality is better. I usually relate the high price to the fact that they need to be somewhat weather proof so the process is a bit different at manufacture. But I have never bought anything marine related that was bad. Hope I answered your questions.... cd | ||
| LABryan Rating: N/A |
Thanks, Cory. I have looking for a long time for the lighting solution you found and was about to make my own. Thinking like you about a low-draw lighting system that will not interfere with driving, I installed a number of LED light strips under the toe kicks, under cabinets and behind valences throughout the bus. I used the automotive accent type, which are a series of LEDs spaced an inch or so apart in a thin plastic tube. Mine range from 7 to 20 LEDs and from 10 to 30 inches but they make them bigger and smaller. I paid between $10 and $20 depending on length. I chose blue LEDs. Installed in this fashion, the light is diffused and reflected off the floor, ceiling and countertops such that it gives plenty of light to move around the bus safely, to make a sandwich, or even play cards at the dinnete, without reflecting off the windshield. I'm not sure if the blue light helps with the reflection issue, but it looks cool, as the whole bus is bathed in a nice, soft blue glow. My passengers complain, however that there is not enough light to read at the dinnete. Your pucks sound like my solution. You might want to consider the long strips to overcome the tight light pattern of the pucks. p.s. When I installed the LEDs I figured there would be at least some reflected light on the windshield which might bother me, so I installed a master switch at the dash. I've never had to use it. Bryan | ||
| David Hartley (Drdave)
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I found another source if you want to hide your LED's. Mount them anywhere... Maybe hidden inside the wood trim? http://www.autodirectsave.com/LED_lights_wired.asp | ||
| CoryDane Rating: N/A |
LaBryan Yes, I'm friends with a family that still have their older Motorhome and when they bought it, It had the strip lights that you would have found on cars in the 70's. The strips are Pre LED so they have little "grain" lites in them. Do the job, have them attached throughout the RV. I think its great all the ideas people can come up with to enhance the RV with lights. Sure does make things look different and pleasant. cd | ||
| Bruce Henderson (Oonrahnjay)
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CoryDane said "I'm friends with a family that still have their older Motorhome and when they bought it, It had the strip lights that you would have found on cars in the 70's. The strips are Pre LED so they have little "grain" lites in them. Do the job, have them attached throughout the RV. " __. Yes, they throw a fair amount of light but -- if they're the same type I'm thinking of -- they draw LOTS of power and make plenty of heat. Have you checked this???? | ||
| CoryDane Rating: N/A |
Being of the tungsten family of lighting, the bulbs will draw current as all light bulbs do, though the draw will be much lower since the bulb has small output. The LED technology today certainly does better at conserving power, which is why we keep looking for a better way to make light and save eneergy. My comment was just an acknowledgement of a product, that I don't even think is available today, but simular in apearance of the light strips today. I was not suggesting running out and buying a string of "grain'o'wheat" lamps and install in anyones particular vehicle. The spotlight here, is on the LED Puck lights. Thanks for the response cd | ||
| Jim & Linda Callaghan (Jimc)
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Cory I also used one of those led puck lights in the bathroom as a night light. It works perfect, I have it directed so most of the light is directly on the toilet, but at the same time it casts a dim glow in the entire bathroom. It lights the room enough to see without turning on other lights, but its not enough to keep somone awake. When I finish the interior I am thinking of using about 10 of them along the ceiling (5 on each side) directed 90 degrees out toward the walls. The ceiling will be covered in white vinyl so I should get enough light bounce off the ceiling and lighter colored walls. I'm hoping it will be enough to light up the inside to do most of what would need to be done. Then the only other lighting I should need will be a few task lights over the kitchen counter and table areas. I have been looking for almost 2 years for someone to make an LED fixture that would put light in all directions, but due to the nature of the leds, I think that is a not going to happen for a long time. From what I have read, if they were to make a ceiling type fixture like that, it would be less efficient than the flouresent fixtures on the market already. | ||
| CRANE Rating: N/A |
CORY I had also found some of the "puck" LED fixtures. Very white light but makes enough light to be able to see without bothering the driver and good for the twilight hours. I also tried to make the light disperse a bit better, used a flat peice of frosted plastic. I did disperse it a bit but the tight pattern was still there I want to try a "domed" peice of frosted plastic or glass and see if the contoured glass changes the effect of the light pattern. I think it may since the angle of the light will now be at an angle. I think it would be good for close, like over a table or counter, or subdued driving light. Don't think there is any value for lighting a room as we are used to such as a florescent would do. The source is just too small. But for limited lighting, you cant beat the efficiency of the LED, at this time. Crane | ||
| Cory Dane Rating: N/A |
For you LED fans, this should be eye candy. These are all made to fit in the OEM fittings made for the vehicles. Check your voltages. http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/store/commerce.cgi?product=CAR As always, if this conflicts with any of BNO advertising, feel free to STRIKE it from the board Ian I am not now, nor at anytime affiliated with this company and am not, nor entitle, to payment for any purchases you may persue. Credit check required, Batteries not included, Prices may vary, not responsible if connected or used in a manner not intended by the manufacturer. May or may not work well if wet, do not overheat. cd | ||
| Jim Ashworth (Jimnh)
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Nice lights and nice prices, too bad they are all 12 volt. A these prices, it might be worth changing the exterior lighting circuits to 12v since the wires will handle the minimal load. Jim | ||
| Stephen Fessenden (Sffess)
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Try using amber LEDs for lighting near the driver and for night lights. We have one amber and one white LED reading light over the bed. The amber is restful, the white is hard to sleep with. Either make your own or buy amber automotive LED bulbs. |
