LED upgrade
Posted: Sun Jun 26, 2016 11:37 am
I just finished converting all seven of the fluorescent fixtures in my coach to LED. I also did the incandescent closet light. I had done the reading lamps previously.
The fluorescent fixtures each draw 2.3 amps. After the LED upgrade they draw 0.7 amps. I wired up three of the fixtures for High / Low selection.
The incandescent closet fixture draws 1.43 amps and after 0.32 amps.
I purchased LEDs and switches from eBay. The LEDs are available in "White" or "Warm White"
Link >> Warm White LED
Link >> White LED
Link >> DPDT Center Off Switch
The LEDs have a G4 base which are meant to plug into a socket. I made sockets from connectors that I found at a local surplus store. They started out as a 13 pin connector that I cut up into two pins. I used construction adhesive to glue these to the fixture.
The High / Low switching required a bit of head scratching. I had to change out the existing SPST switch for a DPDT center off one. I only did this to three of the fixtures. I have attached the wiring schematic to show how it's done.
The light output from the LEDs is a little less than the fluorescent but is more than enough. I used a light meter app on my phone to check the light output.
The cost to convert each fixture was about $5. I am quite pleased with the outcome. I used the white LEDs but I just ordered a batch of the warm white and will see which I like better.
Here's the results:
On edit: Corrected photo locations and updated sources
The fluorescent fixtures each draw 2.3 amps. After the LED upgrade they draw 0.7 amps. I wired up three of the fixtures for High / Low selection.
The incandescent closet fixture draws 1.43 amps and after 0.32 amps.
I purchased LEDs and switches from eBay. The LEDs are available in "White" or "Warm White"
Link >> Warm White LED
Link >> White LED
Link >> DPDT Center Off Switch
The LEDs have a G4 base which are meant to plug into a socket. I made sockets from connectors that I found at a local surplus store. They started out as a 13 pin connector that I cut up into two pins. I used construction adhesive to glue these to the fixture.
The High / Low switching required a bit of head scratching. I had to change out the existing SPST switch for a DPDT center off one. I only did this to three of the fixtures. I have attached the wiring schematic to show how it's done.
The light output from the LEDs is a little less than the fluorescent but is more than enough. I used a light meter app on my phone to check the light output.
The cost to convert each fixture was about $5. I am quite pleased with the outcome. I used the white LEDs but I just ordered a batch of the warm white and will see which I like better.
Here's the results:
On edit: Corrected photo locations and updated sources