Trying to ID correct LED bulbs, advice please

Hedgehurst
Hedgehurst Forum Participant Posts: 576
100 Comments
edited May 2017 in Tips for making Caravanning & Touring Cheaper #1

 We plan to swap the standard bulbs on our van with LED's, as so many have advised. As usual I get lost in the jargon. The bulbs I've just taken out say, as far as I can tell on the rather wobbly stamp, HP21W12v(E2). Or maybe it's "IHP21W  " etc.

Obviously I want 12v bayonet replacement LED bulbs, but what I don't know is how many of the numbers & letters in the spec have to match, for them to fit, and work!

For example, I get offered "380 BAY15D 1157 WHITE 12 DOME LED DRL SIDELIGHT SIDE LIGHT BULBS SLD200101"  and also "R5W BA15S P21W 1156 9 LED Car Tail"  which also looks the right thing, but again, I don't know. They both fit "standard" car tail lights, but I know from my own car that bayonet fittings and size vary in sometimes annoying ways!

So any advice on how much of these figures on the side of mine need to match would be very welcome please.

As would comments on how many LED's are needed for a useful light one offers "12 Dome LED", one 9 LED, but I'm (can't resist this....) completely in the dark about how many will be either useful or merely a poor glow-worm.

There are lights costing £2.99 a pair, and also ten times that - difficult to know whether it's worth spending the extra, or just a case of being ripped off.

Thanks as ever for all the shared expertise here,

Richard

 

Comments

  • Waffler
    Waffler Forum Participant Posts: 149
    edited May 2017 #2

    First things first, the led "bulbs" you need should be fused within the bulb. This is reflected in the price so pay more than less. If you fit one that isn't fused and it goes it may take the van fuse and you'll have a enormous game finding the fault.  The next thing is the physical  size -make sure it will in the space.  (They run cold so can be a tight fit.)  Then look at the lumens- the more the more light. The temperature will show as XXXXK. The higher this number the whiter the light. I would suggest going for something about 2800 otherwise the light will be stark.   Durability is measured in life hours, typically 15000 or more and switches-the number of times it will light up. Generally the caravan will fall apart before the leds go!

  • brightstar2
    brightstar2 Forum Participant Posts: 128
    100 Comments
    edited May 2017 #3

    Hi hedgehurst,

    Don't know if this is allowed or not - but I sell led bulbs as a hobby and I literally have hundreds in stock - both for cars / vans / caravans and motorhomes. All 12 volt.

    Feel free to ring me on 07717534361 to help you out further.

    Ken.

  • Hedgehurst
    Hedgehurst Forum Participant Posts: 576
    100 Comments
    edited May 2017 #4

    This is all useful stuff, and thanks all!

    Ken, do you also have whatever it takes to replace a tube light? I understand they're even thirstier than incandescent bulbs.

    Best wishes,

    Richard

  • brightstar2
    brightstar2 Forum Participant Posts: 128
    100 Comments
    edited May 2017 #5

    Richard,

    I have a few different units which are called domelight conversion units and comprise of either SMD led's or the more latest versions which are COB units. Very bright and so economical and cool running with between 30000-50000 hours life expectancy.

    Talk to me and I can send you some piccies.

    Ken

     

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