12v strip light problem (1 Viewer)

Mags52

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Jun 2, 2010
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Two adjoining strip lights in our van failed recently and eventually I decided to shell out and buy 2 x LED strip light bulbs. Went to fit them just now and discovered that the problem isn't the bulbs as fitting new ones made no difference. There must be an electrical fault. It's an autotrail with strip lights running along the tops of all the overhead cupboards and all the others work. I have absolutely no idea how to work out where the fault is. Would they all be on the same fuse? If so that can't be the problem. I so wish I'd discovered this before it was in the dealers for other warrant repairs in January. They're 140 miles away so going back isn't a practical solution.
The new bulbs were £25 each so I'm keen to get the working!
Mags
 
Nov 4, 2011
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Were the originals LED, if they were fluorescent tubes the LED's won't be a straight swap.
 
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Mags52

Mags52

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I checked with the seller and he said they were designed for straight swap into the original fluorescent fittings. Is that wrong?

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Mags52

Mags52

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Were the originals LED, if they were fluorescent tubes the LED's won't be a straight swap.

Here's the copy of the email with the company:


----- Original Message -----
I am interested in your replacement 12v strip light bulb T513.
I want to replaced old flourescent bulbs in our motorhome with LED. The
current ones are 8W. Can I put these LED bulbs in directly into the same
holders and will they give similar or stronger light?
Thanks for your help


Hi Margaret, Yes they are designed as a straight replacement so use the existing fittings. Generally they give a better light than conventional tubes. Regards Andy
 
Nov 4, 2011
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I thought they had to be wired differently, to bypass the choke assembly but I could be wrong, I'm sure somebody will be along soon who knows more.
 

Welsh girl

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We've just had ours fixed by a Spanish fella here in Cartagena, he tested the battery first and that was ok at 13v but the contacts on the lights were showing only 7.5 volts.
We changed to led from fluorescent tubes and I had to send the light fitment for him to change the on off switch too.
 

JeanLuc

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The 8 watt fluorescent tubes normally fitted in a motorhome are designed for 230V AC (i.e. mains supply). The light fitting contains an inverter circuit to change the 12V DC supply into 230V AC. This has to be bypassed if fitting LEDs as the 'mains' equivalent supply will cook them. I assume your motorhome will have the 'normal' installation.
 
Nov 4, 2011
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The 8 watt fluorescent tubes normally fitted in a motorhome are designed for 230V AC (i.e. mains supply). The light fitting contains an inverter circuit to change the 12V DC supply into 230V AC. This has to be bypassed if fitting LEDs as the 'mains' equivalent supply will cook them. I assume your motorhome will have the 'normal' installation.
That was my thoughts.

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irnbru

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Mags send the bulbs back. I did all ours, Alan showed me then supervised. A roll of 5 metres at the car boot in Glasgow is £5 and tge connections £1 each. I can show you how to fit them or if you bring the MH over I have a little spare we can try.
 
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Mags52

Mags52

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Jun 2, 2010
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Melrose Scottish Borders
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The 8 watt fluorescent tubes normally fitted in a motorhome are designed for 230V AC (i.e. mains supply). The light fitting contains an inverter circuit to change the 12V DC supply into 230V AC. This has to be bypassed if fitting LEDs as the 'mains' equivalent supply will cook them. I assume your motorhome will have the 'normal' installation.
Ours work on 12v not mains which is why we wanted to change to LED to save the batteries.
Or am I misunderstanding?
M
 
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Mags52

Mags52

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Jun 2, 2010
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Melrose Scottish Borders
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Hymer B774
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Mags send the bulbs back. I did all ours, Alan showed me then supervised. A roll of 5 metres at the car boot in Glasgow is £5 and tge connections £1 each. I can show you how to fit them or if you bring the MH over I have a little spare we can try.
Thanks so much Sandra. Did you find the light bright enough when you used the strips?

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irnbru

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Jun 27, 2013
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Yes. We have a bit of both leftover so you can see both whites.
I did double it up over the cooker and sink just to make it extra bright for mum cooking and doing dishes.

I stuck ours onto the existing bulbs and changed the connections but I noticed when we took the AT tour 2 weeks ago they were using LED rolls and not bulbs.
 

JeanLuc

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Nov 17, 2008
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Ours work on 12v not mains which is why we wanted to change to LED to save the batteries.
Or am I misunderstanding?
M
I'm afraid so. This is nothing to do with being on mains hook-up. The tubes work from the 12v system but inside the fitting there is an inverter circuit that changes this to 230v AC. This circuit needs to be bypassed if fitting LEDs which require 12v DC.
 

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