The LEDs are now more affordable but you get so many bulb configurations and variety I terms of colors to suit every taste. If you don't prefer harsher blue light case, you can choose a slightly yellow, warm, “natural light” (NL) effect LED. There are so many variations and most of them can fit your RV seamlessly. These days most bulbs in recreational vehicles have LED counterparts so there is no problem in switching to RV exterior lighting. Wherever there is no LED equivalent to the RV lighting fixture, you can replace the complete incandescent lighting unit with a latest LED based lighting fixture.
The benefits of RV exterior lighting:The biggest and most visible benefit of using LED is its incredible life. These bulbs have no moving parts and can last more than sixty times as long as any fluorescent, incandescent or halogen bulbs. They may cost ten to twenty times more than their counterparts, so you can easily to the math and see all the advantages of using them in your RV. Another benefit of using LED is its cool temperatures. They are not only safer, but also use sixty to ninety percent less energy and never produce any heat that your air conditioner is working so hard to remove from the interior (a LED uses just ten percent of the energy used in any incandescent bulb and efficiently coverts ninety percent of the actual electricity that it uses into light rather than simple heat-whereas a regular bulb may convert just ten percent of the energy it consumes into light).This won't bother you much if you're using campground electricity but this does mean that you can easily dry camp at least twice without running down your RV battery.
Like any truck or car, an RV's exterior lights get power first from the rigs battery, and then by its alternator (if the motor is running). The big difference lies in the lights used inside of the RV because they run off on house battery bank. If you've used a voltage meter to this battery bank, you already know these batteries may endure dramatic voltage fluctuations. Higher voltage won't mean much for halogen, incandescent, or fluorescent bulbs-they will simply burn much brighter and die sooner.
The components used in commonly used LEDs, on the other hand, can't withstand voltage or heat fluctuations. Either of these variables can quickly kill them. That's the reason you hear so many instances of people getting burned by automotive type LEDs. These are not built for RV exterior or interior lighting. RV exterior lighting fixtures have superior drivers, regulators and the best ever components-which is why they give brighter light and last longer.
Other benefits of using LED lighting in your RV:
- They don't generate any UV (ultraviolet) light that can cause fading of fabric or artwork.
- These LEDs are bright and generate a much higher percentage of light in required direction.
- You will have to spend more to make any commercial fluorescent lighting system dimmable, but LEDs, being semiconductor devices, are easily compatible with controls. Many LEDs can be easily dimmed to just ten percent of light output whereas most fluorescent lights may just reach thirty percent of their full brightness. LEDs also offer a continuous dimming.
- There is no mercury or other dangerous substances used in them as do fluorescent lights.
- Traditional lighting sources have a shorter lifespan when they're switched more often, whereas LEDs are unaffected by rapid cycling.
- You can get LEDs lights in cool white, natural white and warm white. Cool white ensures greater lighting whereas warm white is least bright. With natural white you get lighting in between warm and cool.
These days you can find LED replacements for any kind of bulb in your RV, both exterior and interior, including complete tail and market light replacements. You have a choice of fluorescent tubes of all shapes and sizes, but you will have to bypass the ballast in your light when you replace your extra bulbs. The best way to bypass the ballast is to switch to LEDs when ballast fails in your existing fixture since these ballasts are is fairly expense. Making a switch to LED is fairly easy as only some wiring and tools are involved so it's important to understand the procedure before making an attempt.Replacing RV's Incandescent Bulbs with LEDs:Budget conscious RVer may get turned off by the high cost of LEDs as compared to incandescent bulbs and may hesitate to make a switch. The best way to go is to first figure out the lights you use the most and then plan accordingly. Try replacing standard switchable twin light fixture so common in many RV's with a high intensity LED whilst keeping other incandescent bulbs switched off. For interiors- like reading lights, bedroom lights, porch lights table lights- are all good candidates for replacement.A medium sized RV can use five or more individual incandescent bulbs. So figure out the ones you're going to start with and then replace them with RV exterior lighting.
How to Choose the Best LED?You should look for these three things:
- A solid warranty-the last thing you would want to do is plunk down $30+ on a bulb that may last just few weeks.
- A quality product that offers plenty of light.
- A superior voltage regulator for interior and exterior applications.
Where to buy these LEDs:There are so many LED suppliers and many of them offer their products online. One of the best one that has earned its name in the market is recpro.com.They offer a range of LED awning party lights, license plate tag lights and LED RV porch lights at interesting prices.Today, light can not only brighten our path, but can also lighten impact on the environment, boost productivity and comfort, and make your surroundings more secure. Pairing LED lights with intelligent controls and sensors can help build more sustainable, smarter solutions.
