LEDs or Flourescent lights?

[docdave]

It looks to me like both have about the same electrical draw per lumen. What has your experience been in actual use?

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Incandescent ,Fluorescent, LED - Minimum Light Output
Watts Watts Watts Lumens
40 9-13 4-5 450
60 13-15 6-8 800
75 18-25 9-13 1,100
100 23-30 16-20 1,600
150 30-55 25-28 2,600

Fluorescent offers a better cost value over LED
Fluorescent offers a better output pattern
LED offers more color choices(temp range)
LED are less effected by voltage drop if used with a driver
LED is a better choice if space is an issue
Fluorescent reduce output over time
Fluorescent is softer on the eye

I use both depending on the application.
My biggest problem with LED is the technolgy is changing so fast the LED lamp you purchase today will not be available tomorrow.

 

[Ted_Z]

Don't forget some fluoescents have trouble in cold temperatures.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Don't forget some fluoescents have trouble in cold temperatures.

That would be magnetic ballasts most of the newer ballast are electronic and will operate down to zero without issue some even lower. Check your ballast they have temp ratings on them.

 

[trump]

LEDs don't attract bugs.

LED > flourescent

 

[ExpoMike]

I switched all my camper lighting over to LED and can't be happier. I have no fear on how long I leave the lights on. They are bright enough for what we need to do. In theory, should outlast the camper. No heat output, doesn't attract bugs nearly as much and shouldn't have any issues with cold temps. I doubt I could ever go back to "normal" lighting.

 

[SuperCal]

I have leds in my camper and am really happy with their performance so far. In fact in one of my famous "brain fart" moments i left them on for 4 days straight. The battery in the camper barely noticed since it was still above 12v when i finally realised they were on.

 

[goodtimes]

I use both. Well, sort of. We use LEDs for anything that stays on while we are away (exterior courtesy light, interior floor lights), and use incandescent lamps for the overhead lights that see limited use (only when cooking/eating/cleaning - which is usually done before dark anyway). We decided we like the color offered by the incandescents better than the fluorescents or LEDs. Of course, you don't want to leave them on all night . . .

 

[bat]

X2 with Xj Mike LED all the way

 

[pods8]

My biggest problem with LED is the technolgy is changing so fast the LED lamp you purchase today will not be available tomorrow.

I have little concern about not being able to find a compatible base for a bulb down the line and in reality the light housings are usually only a couple bucks with the cost of the LED bulb making up the remainder of the light cost so switching a housing if needed isn't that big of a deal. Also keep in mind their lifespans are something like 25,000+ hrs right? I'd consider that to be a lifetime item in regards to a camper. Even if you used the lights for 3hrs a day, every single day, that's still ~23yrs assuming a 25,000hr lifespan.

 

[mhiscox]

A vote for fluorescents, but not the general Camping World type. You want Cold Cathode Fluorescent (CCF) fixtures. They operate at a higher voltage but much lower current than compact fluorescent lights like you have in your house. They are instant on, don't put off any significant heat, don't noticeably pulsate and have a very good color, which I find much nicer than all except the most expensive LEDs.

CCF lights are about five times more efficient than incandescent bulbs and about twice as efficient as normal (hot cathode) fluorescent lights. They are actually a significantly more efficient than LED lighting (80 lumens per watt for CCFs versus mid-20s for the most efficent white LEDs), and they're efficient enough that they're not a major draw on a camper's systems.

Taylorbrite (taylorbrite.com) is a major supplier of linear and "reading"-type CCFs, and they're what I have in my Sprinter.

 

[trump]

Sure they do! I have a full compliment of LEDs in my bass boat about a foot off the floor. Both in red and white. If I'm on a river at night and turn on the white ones we get socked in with bugs in moments. If I use just the reds ones very few bugs.

You're right, turns out that's a myth. However, I notice a lot less bugs with LED than other light sources. On the water, all bets are off.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

I have little concern about not being able to find a compatible base for a bulb down the line and in reality the light housings are usually only a couple bucks with the cost of the LED bulb making up the remainder of the light cost so switching a housing if needed isn't that big of a deal. Also keep in mind their lifespans are something like 25,000+ hrs right? I'd consider that to be a lifetime item in regards to a camper. Even if you used the lights for 3hrs a day, every single day, that's still ~23yrs assuming a 25,000hr lifespan.

Yes you are correct in finding a replacement to suit the base is not a problem. Finding the same color, look, and lumen output maybe not as easy.

We have purchased over $1000 in LED lamps this year alone and I can assure you they all dont last 25,000 hours some dont make it a month. Yes they are covered under by the manufacture but if the lamp design has changed you are .......

 

[pods8]

Yes you are correct in finding a replacement to suit the base is not a problem. Finding the same color, look, and lumen output maybe not as easy.

We have purchased over $1000 in LED lamps this year alone and I can assure you they all dont last 25,000 hours some dont make it a month. Yes they are covered under by the manufacture but if the lamp design has changed you are .......

I guess I'm looking at if from a pop-up camper perspective (based on the forum we're in) in which you have a few fixtures total and only a couple that will be similar (ie mabye one or two exterior and 2-3 interior) so the concern of mismatching really doesn't materialize in my mind and if it REALLY does bug you you'd only have to change out one or two others to match.

That said there would be the same concern in my mind with florescent bulbs, which also vary in those same aspects, years down the line if that is something that really concerns you. Probably best to stock up on some spare bulbs for either type of fixture with your original purchase if you think color/lumen output variation down the line is something that will bother you.

 

[762X39]

We have purchased over $1000 in LED lamps this year alone and I can assure you they all dont last 25,000 hours some dont make it a month.

What voltage are your led's?
12 volt led's will die when used with a typical camper setup but 14 volt led's will be fine.On my Mog I use 28 volt led's and have no problems.They make 24 volt led's but since the batteries put out closer to 28 volts, early death is inevitable. It is also important to get the correct colour temperature white to suit your eyes and end use. Lighting is never simple with many factors to consider.On our travel trailer we use simple CFL's like at home because they are cheap and easily powered by our 10 year old 400 watt inverter from a 25 amp agm battery.If colour temperature was an issue, I would just get some OTT natural sunlight CFL's.