Replacing with LED bulbs

touchdown77

I'm planning on replacing old fashioned high wattage bulbs with new LED, can anyone recommend a good place to get them?

Are there still issues with flickering and proper warm white colour?


Thanks!

fergal.b

I'll be using all LED's on my project boat, don't see any problem with them, you can get them in marine parts.http://marineparts.ie/?subcats=Y&pcode_from_q=Y&pshort=Y&pfull=Y&pname=Y&pkeywords=Y&search_performed=Y&pshort=Y&pfull=Y&pname=Y&pkeywords=Y&pcode=Y&match=any&q=led+light+bulbs&dispatch=products.search or eBay





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Donie75

These guys have a good selection of LED's http://www.bedazzled.uk.com/
I know someone who used them and is very happy. They say that you should use protected Led bulbs.

touchdown77

So I found some lights in the garage, which might work.

This first one is an Ikea kitchen light without the transformer, its 12v DC and only draws .5w. Not sure if its protected or not.

Second one is a lidl kitchen strip light with plug in transformer. I was just going to wire it up directly to 12v to replace an existing light.

what do you think?

fergal.b

Yep they should work fine. Lidl have a rope light and a solar light this week might be worth a look.

http://www.lidl.ie/en/Offers.htm?id=830




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Alkers

touchdown77 wrote: »

So I found some lights in the garage, which might work.

This first one is an Ikea kitchen light without the transformer, its 12v DC and only draws .5w. Not sure if its protected or not.

Second one is a lidl kitchen strip light with plug in transformer. I was just going to wire it up directly to 12v to replace an existing light.

what do you think?

Give them a go sure but the easiest way is just to replace the bulbs.

I have used http://www.atenlighting.co.uk/boat-lighting before and found them good but you can get all of these things from the likes of aliexpress for much much cheaper if you're prepared to wait a month or so for them to come from china. I've not noticed any difference in terms of quality and I've put them into my dad's boat, a caravan and my campervan.

You could also look at COB LED panels which fit inside your existing light fittings, there's a range of adaptors available and they give off amazing light.

pH

touchdown77 wrote: »

So I found some lights in the garage, which might work.

This first one is an Ikea kitchen light without the transformer, its 12v DC and only draws .5w. Not sure if its protected or not.

Second one is a lidl kitchen strip light with plug in transformer. I was just going to wire it up directly to 12v to replace an existing light.

what do you think?

LEDs are not the same as "normal" bulbs in that the voltage drop across the load is completely different. It's all very technical, but it normally means that a led needs a resistor in series with the bulb at the very least.

You may have a problems removing the "transformer" as

- It's labelled a LED driver, it may have built in resistance or it may be a constant current device that matches the LED bulbs. In either of these cases the probable outcome of connecting directly to 12v will be to burn out the bulbs.

- Even if it's a constant voltage 12v DC, LED bulbs can be far less tolerant to over-voltage situations, which on a boat with an alternator running or indeed a mains charger you'll be looking at a voltage of 14v-15v. which for an incandescent "12v" bulb is nothing, but because of the way diodes work could cause much more current to go through the bulbs, blowing them or dramatically reducing their life.

Many LED systems for 12v actually have voltage or current regulators built in that means the lights will work happily between 11v and 16v, because internally it's converting the external voltage to what's needed by the bulbs.

Sh1tbag OToole

pH wrote: »

LEDs are not the same as "normal" bulbs in that the voltage drop across the load is completely different. It's all very technical, but it normally means that a led needs a resistor in series with the bulb at the very least.

You may have a problems removing the "transformer" as

- It's labelled a LED driver, it may have built in resistance or it may be a constant current device that matches the LED bulbs. In either of these cases the probable outcome of connecting directly to 12v will be to burn out the bulbs.

- Even if it's a constant voltage 12v DC, LED bulbs can be far less tolerant to over-voltage situations, which on a boat with an alternator running or indeed a mains charger you'll be looking at a voltage of 14v-15v. which for an incandescent "12v" bulb is nothing, but because of the way diodes work could cause much more current to go through the bulbs, blowing them or dramatically reducing their life.

Many LED systems for 12v actually have voltage or current regulators built in that means the lights will work happily between 11v and 16v, because internally it's converting the external voltage to what's needed by the bulbs.

One of these yokes could sort the voltage problem, though I havnt tried one

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/5A-Auto-DC-DC-Constant-Current-Boost-Buck-Converter-Voltage-Regulator-Module-12V-/181874004801?hash=item2a58891341:g:5B8AAOSwuTxV-wxh

Tis unlikely there is a series resistor in that power supply, but if there is the giveaway would be the light burning unusually bright off another 12v regulated power supply

touchdown77

What about road vehicle lighting such as cars, campers etc. Are these better able to handle the voltage changes on a boat?

I'm looking at these (or similiar ones) as external lights for area around a few steps, the voltage is rated as 10/30 volts....

http://www.247lighting.net/products/number-plate-lamp-p-473.html

Sh1tbag OToole

touchdown77 wrote: »

What about road vehicle lighting such as cars, campers etc. Are these better able to handle the voltage changes on a boat?

I'm looking at these (or similiar ones) as external lights for area around a few steps, the voltage is rated as 10/30 volts....

http://www.247lighting.net/products/number-plate-lamp-p-473.html

Aye, they would be alright. Those led replacement bulbs for car interior lighting should work a treat too

hytrogen

We soldered in strip LEDs into most of my boats light fittings, the kind you find cheap on eBay and can cut to custom lengths. With just two or three in each fitting they're bright enough even on the 12v power, 24v and it's daylight! One thing though definitely go for the warmer white shades.

copper12

All LED
The outside are truck parking lights