RV Light Bulbs

[rvfulltime]

Are the small incandescent bulbs for RVs disappearing also? I'm looking for the
lumen output of the 921 wedge bulb that our Titanium uses. My google seach for
921 rv bulbs is only turning up LED lights.

My RV almost uses exclusively the 921 wedge glass bulb. I was at Quartzsite
last week and saw a number of booths with LED replacement, but at $30 per light
it would cost over $600 to replace the bulbs. Wow. There's 20 bulbs in the rig
interior. So now I'm trying to educate myself so that when I have to replace
bulbs I can do so without paying too much. But to do so I need to know the
lumen output of my current bulbs.

[richard]

Replace the bulbs with the Tesla flourescent style bulbs.
In my apartment I have a ceiling fan with four 60 watt bulbs.
Three burnt out so I replaced one with the Tesla bulb and haven't replaced
the other two because the one bulb is four times brighter.

But I was able to find the real thing here
http://www.rvpartscountry.com/921MinitureWedgebaseRVlightbulbs.2CD

So buy a hundred packs and forget those ripoff flea market specials.

[Will Sill]

As Clinton used to say, "I feel your pain".

A few months ago I researched under-cabinet lighting for our kitchen. I
eventually found an excellent product for our needs: warm white LED
strips. But I also had a LOT of trouble getting useful, factual
information - either from the information highway (!) or big shot
dealers specializing in lighting.

This rant won't help you much, but here goes: as you know, 921 bulbs are
still available (for example from Bulbamerica) but at what I consider an
obscene price. What I can't locate is an LED replacement - at any price.
$30 each would be insane.

IMO LED's are the illuminaries of the future: very low current draw,
long life, almost immune to vibration, etc. And they OUGHT to be dirt
cheap. But though they been around a while, practical plug-in LED
replacements for common sockets seem to be scarce. I hope someone can
help you with your particular need, but I think it may be a while before
the Right Stuff is commonly available.

Will

[richard]

Idiot. The LED versions are widely available.
They're so common now it's pathetic.
I was able to find an exact replacement with no trouble.

[richard]

On Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:20:22 -0500, stan....@hotmail.com wrote:

>>On Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:28:39 -0700, rvfulltime <rvfulltim...@isp.nospaam.com> wrote:
>
>>Are the small incandescent bulbs for RVs disappearing also? I'm looking for the
>>lumen output of the 921 wedge bulb that our Titanium uses. My google seach for
>>921 rv bulbs is only turning up LED lights.
>

> My Google search still shows 921 wedgies available at 50 cents a crack!
>
> Notwithstanding . . . it seems that it might be a good time to stock up on incandescent automotive bulbs while
> they are still available at affordable prices.
>
> We have already stocked up with a lifetime+ supply of household bulbs.
>
> Over the past 70 years, we've developed a rather warm affection for the warm colour temperature offered by
> incandescent light bulbs. In anticipation of nutzo green freak legislation, banning incandescent bulbs; we are
> fully stocked up for the next hundred years with our generous supply of 60W and 100W bulbs! :-)

try the tesla flourescent versions. a 26 watt bulb equals one 100 watt
standard bulb and puts out more light than you need.

[bill horne]

These:
http://www.bulbtown.com/921_MINIATURE_BULB_GLASS_WEDGE_BASE_p/921.htm
at 50 cents apiece, show 21 MSCP - which converts to 264 lumens.
Lumens = 12.57 (4 pi) x Mean spherical candlepower (MSCP).
http://www.donsbulbs.com/cgi-bin/r/d.pl/conversion_table.html

--
bill
Theory don't mean squat if it don't work.

[nothermark]

On Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:28:39 -0700, rvfulltime
<rvfulltim...@isp.nospaam.com> wrote:

10 pack bulbs:

http://www.amazon.com/PDQ-921-Bulb-Quantity-10/dp/B000JHFFQI


$15 LED

http://www.etrailer.com/Lights/Putco/P230921W-360-S.html?feed=npn&gclid=COfa8vWHgK4CFYPc4Aodm2um3w


I expect the cost of LED replacements to drop when somebody put
together an automated line assuming there are enough in the installed
automotive base.

[George Anthony]

<stan....@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:s7nli71rkrr14bvoj...@4ax.com...
...

In anticipation of nutzo green freak legislation, banning incandescent
bulbs; we are
> fully stocked up for the next hundred years with our generous supply of
> 60W and 100W bulbs! :-)
>

Whenever these clowns make up their minds (which I can guarantee will be
anti-incandescent), it won't matter how many
you've hoarded. The "bulb Nazis" will come to your house and confiscate
them. Then you'll pay a hefty fine for having "illegal"
illumination devices.

[MR]

I used these 5 Meter Reel Warm White 3100k Flexible LED Ribbon 300 Leds
16 Ft by LEDwholesalers, 2026ww-31k by LEDwholesalers LED Strip Lights
under my overhead cabinets and over the stove and sink. Wife loves it.
Also, you don't have to be concerned about burning your fingers on the
existing lights where the switches are close.
The leds have a peel and stick backing. Worked out great. I removed the
wedge bulbs and made some leads(prongs) out of paper clips, soldered them
to the led leads and plugged into the existing switches. Nice
installation and does not cost a bundle. Bought them from Amazon at the
link below. Not affiliated with Amazon other than being a customer.
Good luck,
MR

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=++5+Meter+Reel+Warm+White+3100k+Flexible+LED+Ribbon+300+Leds+16+Ft+by+LEDwholesalers&x=0&y=0

[Will Sill]

On 2/2/12 5:55 PM, MR wrote in part:

> I used these 5 Meter Reel Warm White 3100k Flexible LED Ribbon 300 Leds
> 16 Ft by LEDwholesalers, 2026ww-31k by LEDwholesalers LED Strip Lights
> under my overhead cabinets and over the stove and sink. Wife loves it.
> Also, you don't have to be concerned about burning your fingers on the
> existing lights where the switches are close.
> The leds have a peel and stick backing. Worked out great.

Sounds very similar to what we did for our kitchen. The zinger for a
home install: our 5m reel called for 12vdc. Not a huge issue for us,
because I had a 12vdc system in place for my Ham purposes. Should be a
cinch for an rv application.

Will

[Dean]

On Thu, 2 Feb 2012 14:23:42 -0500, richard <mem...@newsguy.com> wrote:

>tesla flourescent


OK, I 'll byte. WTF is a tesla fluorescent (note proper spelling)
bulb?
--

Democracy is a form of government, possible
only to those who initiate it, are willing
to fight for it, and understand the concept
of freedom as being equal to the responsibility
required to sustain it .
(Unknown)

[LonVanOstran]

richard wrote:
> Idiot. The LED versions are widely available.
> They're so common now it's pathetic.
> I was able to find an exact replacement with no trouble.

The term idiot, when used by one, somehow loses some of it's value.

Lon

[Robert Bonomi]

In article <jgekji$n7j$1...@news.america.net>,

A 921 has, typically, a light output of 265-280 lumens And an expected life
of 1000 hrs. Incandescent bulb lifetime ratings are generally optimistic.

The LED replacements have 100,000 hr rated lifetimes. LED lifetime ratings
are generally conservative.

[Ron]

"Robert Bonomi" wrote in message
news:o7OdnRGlp_OUJbbS...@posted.nuvoxcommunications...

+++++++++++++++++++++++
So, the 27 people who own the RV after you do won't have to replace the
bulb. Will having LEDs instead of incandescent bulbs increase the RV's
sales price? Really doubtful! However, you would be able to say you had
LED lighting. ;-)

Ron
+++++++++++++++++++++++

[Robert Bonomi]

In article <4f2bc13d$0$9588$c3e8da3$9b4f...@news.astraweb.com>,

>So, the 27 people who own the RV after you do won't have to replace the
>bulb. Will having LEDs instead of incandescent bulbs increase the RV's
>sales price? Really doubtful! However, you would be able to say you had
>LED lighting. ;-)
>

I make no claim regarding the 'desirability' of one type over the other.
Depending on how long one plans to retain a vehicle, and how awkward it
is to replace the bulb, a "will likely never have to replace it again"
bulb may appeal to some people. Ditto the 'savings' in battery capacity,
of about 1 A-H per bulb, per hour of operation.

Note: I found another site claiming a 'typical' -- as opposed to manufacturer
'rating' -- lifetime for a 921 of a mere 300 power-on hours.

With the LED prices where they are, the 'pay back' period -- based _solely_
on the relative cost of the light-bulbs -- is a *long* time. If, however,
one includes the cost of the electricity (produced from a local generator,
and stored in on-board batteries) involved, the 'break-even' point is
reached considerably quicker. Energy-cost savings exceed $1 per bulb per
200 hours of operation. Say $0.50/month for a bulb that is on for an
average of 4 hours/day. Or about two years, if you're living off generator
power. Circa 3 times longer, if you're on the grid, and getting a decent
rate for 'utility' power.

[Ralph E Lindberg]

In article <jgekji$n7j$1...@news.america.net>,
rvfulltime <rvfulltim...@isp.nospaam.com> wrote:

You can get 921's at just about any auto-parts store or RV parts store

I'm starting the change over to LED for battery life

--
--------------------------------------------------------
Personal e-mail is the n7bsn but at amsat.org
This posting address is a spam-trap and seldom read
RV and Camping FAQ can be found at
http://www.ralphandellen.us/rv

[Ralph E Lindberg]

In article <4f2bc13d$0$9588$c3e8da3$9b4f...@news.astraweb.com>,
"Ron" <RonR...@aol.com> wrote:

> +++++++++++++++++++++++
> So, the 27 people who own the RV after you do won't have to replace the
> bulb. Will having LEDs instead of incandescent bulbs increase the RV's
> sales price? Really doubtful! However, you would be able to say you had
> LED lighting. ;-)
>
> Ron
> +++++++++++++++++++++++

I've noticed more and more new (2012) quality rigs are coming with
LEDs interior lights.
Exterior (running) became almost standard in the last 5 years

[Neon John]

On Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:28:39 -0700, rvfulltime
<rvfulltim...@isp.nospaam.com> wrote:

>Are the small incandescent bulbs for RVs disappearing also?

No, only plain tungsten, Edison based bulbs. The familiar 120 volt
light bulb will remain available, only it now contains a halogen lamp
capsule inside. They (conveniently) meet the government efficiency
standard. The difference? About $3 a lamp instead of 50 cents. Ain't
it wunderful when industry and government work together against the
rest of us?

>
>My RV almost uses exclusively the 921 wedge glass bulb. I was at Quartzsite
>last week and saw a number of booths with LED replacement, but at $30 per light
>it would cost over $600 to replace the bulbs. Wow. There's 20 bulbs in the rig
>interior. So now I'm trying to educate myself so that when I have to replace
>bulbs I can do so without paying too much. But to do so I need to know the
>lumen output of my current bulbs.

There is no reason to replace those lamps with LEDs, particularly at
that price. Your fixtures are designed for a lamp that emits equally
in all directions. The LEDs don't. Some replacements try to counter
that by arranging the LEDs splayed out in a 3D array. That means only
a few of them are pointing in the right direction (away from the
fixture).

Then there is the life issue. LEDs in electric signs have been
accompanied by great controversy, not only because they're replacing
neon in many applications but also because of life issues.
signsyndicate.com (the sign focal point on the web) has for several
years now been doing a scientific test of LEDs and neon. Unfortunately
the ongoing results are behind a paywall.

Executive summary: All white LEDs tested have lost at least half
their output after 10,000 hours. (Neon made with modern rare earth
phosphors is down only about 10% after 100,000 hours.) This is with
the LEDs driven at their recommended maximum current, as is done with
signs. Driven at lesser current, they will last proportionally
longer.

Now, 10,000 might seem like a long time but that's only 416 days - a
bit over a year. Not a very good return on investment. This is why
you see so many LED signs and reader boards with lots of LEDs out.

Since your lamp will continue to be available, I recommend being very
lazy and leave things be :-)

John

John DeArmond
http://www.neon-john.com
Tellico Plains, Occupied TN
See website for email address
Feed by Giganews

[rvfulltime]

The real benefit to me for using LED lights is the much lower battery drain when
we're drying camping. During the winter months we use a lot more house lights
for more hours, thus more battery drain. It might make a difference as to
whether we get 3, 4, or 5 days of battery power without having to haul out the
generator to recharge the batteries.

[Ron]

"rvfulltime" wrote in message news:jgh6qc$1ei$1...@news.america.net...

++++++++++++++++++++
Have you thought about spending the money to add more/higher capacity
batteries to your RV instead of switching to LEDs?

Ron
++++++++++++++++++++

[nothermark]

Do you know if they excempted low voltage bulbs? If so please share.
Thanks.

[Dudley Wayright]

Regardless of buying more expensive batteries, the idea again presents
itself. Why not enjoy more days of drycamping by using LED lights?

I can light up my 5ver like an aircraft carrier in the woods for hours
on end with LEDs, why should I squint under dimming light bulbs if I
don't have to.
I also use LED stop, signal, and running lights. They don't have
filaments to break in the boondocks, they are more water resistant, and
the brake lights have a faster response time. They sip electricity.

[Dave Dodson]

bon...@host122.r-bonomi.com (Robert Bonomi) wrote in
news:o7OdnRGlp_OUJbbS...@posted.nuvoxcommunications:

My question is this: do those lifetime rating factor in the fact that a
good part of the time those bulbs will be subjected to Richter Scale 3
shaking? Has anyone studied the effects of such useage on these bulbs?
DaveD

[Dean]

On 4 Feb 2012 01:12:47 -0900, Dave Dodson <dave...@hotmail.com>
wrote:

I suspect that they can withstand G-forces into the hundreds of
thousands. They consist of a silicon chip in the neighborhood of
0.025 by 0.025 by 0.007 between two leads and encapsulated in a
plastic material or something similar. At least that is, in general,
how my production line Zener diodes were made.