I have been told that led lights use less electricity than the "normal" ones. We are only thinking of replacing the downlights at this time. As we are about to go solar is this a fact and what is the difference in usage between the two systems?
Thanks in advance,
Phil B.
Grahame Readwin said
09:23 PM Sep 13, 2012
Yes there is a big energy saving, but for me the most important thing is the safety aspect. Halogen downlights get very hot. You can touch LEDs when they are on.
If you are looking to buy go to ebay. G4's are as little as a dollar each - and they work!
BobnBev said
02:11 AM Sep 14, 2012
Hi Guys I just replaced ( all the out side lights) with LEDs that I made up for the total sum of $40 dollors. Thats 9 park, 3 stop. 2 blinkers , 2 outside lamps....
The ones in side are a little differant, Im still working on them, but have plenty left over from the out side job ...
Worth the trouble, and they will out last the old globes by years.....
Bob n Bev.......
ChrisandPeter said
07:00 AM Sep 14, 2012
We have bought LED's from
Deal Extreme - http://dx.com/s/g4+lights (have no affliation with etc. Hong Kong based)
They are very cheap and have a massive range, they have all the sizes in the description, you just have to spend some time looking for the best match.
Delivery (free to AU) does take a couple of weeks though
We have changed all our internal and some external lights also put led strips in a few places.
-- Edited by ChrisandPeter on Friday 14th of September 2012 07:00:29 AM
Magnarc said
04:36 PM Sep 14, 2012
Thanks to all for that info. Phil B.
PeterD said
09:24 PM Sep 14, 2012
BobnBev wrote:Hi Guys I just replaced ( all the out side lights) with LEDs that I made up for the total sum of $40 dollors. Thats 9 park, 3 stop. 2 blinkers , 2 outside lamps...
I hope you replaced the whole fittings and not just the globes. The Australian Design Rule 51/00 - Filament Lampshttp://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2006L03254/Download specifies the size and shape of the globes to be fitted into the navigation lights on vehicles. If you replace the globes with anything that does not have the active bit identically the same as those in the standard the lamps do not conform to the applicable ADR they were approved under. If your lamps are no longer compliant then your van is no longer considered roadworthy.
You may note thet the covers on the lamps are not plain lenses. The ribs in them make them act like Fresnel lenses - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fresnel_lens - For these to act correctly and produce the required light spread the light source has to be the correct size and shape.
Yuglamron said
10:25 PM Sep 14, 2012
The Australian Design rules are a laugh,
How many modern cars have LED bars that blind oncoming traffic.That certain Aussie built car with an LED lightbar that was wrongly designed and sends the light output up instead of down ,blinding people, but was passed as legal anyway.
How many people are driving with their FOG lights on thinking they are driving lights.High intensity rear lights designed for foggy conditions being on in normal conditions.
How many trucks do you see travelling the highways exceeding the permitted light output,front rear and sides.How many 4X4's and other vehicles are travelling with headlight globes designed for OFF road use only.Vehicles illegally raised and having tyres way-way outside the bodywork.Off road Mud tyres used on an everyday basis,would hate to be driving those on tarmac in the wet.
Bull bars that hide the indicators making it hard to Guess where some one is going.
The list goes on and on.
ALL of this impacts on the safety on our roads.
Ours, our kids, our loved ones safety.
woody said
11:40 PM Sep 14, 2012
Does that mean that if I want to replace my 6 (qty)x12 volt downlights, inside the van I must replace the whole light fitting not just the globes? And does this also apply to tail/stop/indicators?
PeterD said
01:40 AM Sep 15, 2012
Woody, it only applies to the navigation lights (stop tail etc) There are no ADRs applying to the house lights.
BobnBev said
01:53 AM Sep 15, 2012
Hi PeterD, All good buddy they are much brighter than the globes ever where, did the old van some years back and never had a problem with anyone.. Used the old lenses and held the LEDs in place with foam, all soldered, then sealed the lens with silicon, hopefuly not to be opened again, Bob n Bev......
Hi all,
I have been told that led lights use less electricity than the "normal" ones. We are only thinking of replacing the downlights at this time. As we are about to go solar is this a fact and what is the difference in usage between the two systems?
Thanks in advance,
Phil B.
Yes there is a big energy saving, but for me the most important thing is the safety aspect. Halogen downlights get very hot. You can touch LEDs when they are on.
If you are looking to buy go to ebay. G4's are as little as a dollar each - and they work!
The ones in side are a little differant, Im still working on them, but have plenty left over from the out side job ...
Worth the trouble, and they will out last the old globes by years.....
Bob n Bev.......
We have bought LED's from
Deal Extreme - http://dx.com/s/g4+lights (have no affliation with etc. Hong Kong based)
They are very cheap and have a massive range, they have all the sizes in the description, you just have to spend some time looking for the best match.
Delivery (free to AU) does take a couple of weeks though
We have changed all our internal and some external lights also put led strips in a few places.
-- Edited by ChrisandPeter on Friday 14th of September 2012 07:00:29 AM
Phil B.
I hope you replaced the whole fittings and not just the globes. The Australian Design Rule 51/00 - Filament Lamps http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2006L03254/Download specifies the size and shape of the globes to be fitted into the navigation lights on vehicles. If you replace the globes with anything that does not have the active bit identically the same as those in the standard the lamps do not conform to the applicable ADR they were approved under. If your lamps are no longer compliant then your van is no longer considered roadworthy.
You may note thet the covers on the lamps are not plain lenses. The ribs in them make them act like Fresnel lenses - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fresnel_lens - For these to act correctly and produce the required light spread the light source has to be the correct size and shape.
The Australian Design rules are a laugh,
How many modern cars have LED bars that blind oncoming traffic.That certain Aussie built car with an LED lightbar that was wrongly designed and sends the light output up instead of down ,blinding people, but was passed as legal anyway.
How many people are driving with their FOG lights on thinking they are driving lights.High intensity rear lights designed for foggy conditions being on in normal conditions.
How many trucks do you see travelling the highways exceeding the permitted light output,front rear and sides.How many 4X4's and other vehicles are travelling with headlight globes designed for OFF road use only.Vehicles illegally raised and having tyres way-way outside the bodywork.Off road Mud tyres used on an everyday basis,would hate to be driving those on tarmac in the wet.
Bull bars that hide the indicators making it hard to Guess where some one is going.
The list goes on and on.
ALL of this impacts on the safety on our roads.
Ours, our kids, our loved ones safety.
And does this also apply to tail/stop/indicators?
All good buddy they are much brighter than the globes ever where, did the old van some years back and never had a problem with anyone.. Used the old lenses and held the LEDs in place with foam, all soldered, then sealed the lens with silicon, hopefuly not to be opened again,
Bob n Bev......