Looking to replace halogen ceiling lights with LEDs
Valkyrie01 said
08:17 PM Jan 10, 2018
Hi All
This is no doubt a popular topic but search as I may I haven't found any specific answers to my question.
I have a 2011 Windsor Genesis 535 poptop with 12V halogen lights throughout and I'd like to replace them with LEDs (for better light and energy conservation). Problem is (and doesn't seem to be addressed in other posts) from what I've read/been told, the halogens are powered through a transformer which may not be suitable for LEDs as total draw may be too low. If that's the case the new LEDs would therefore need a new driver/transformer to run properly. I've been trying to find the existing transformer to check its specs but have yet to locate it. Looked in the boot and ALL cupboards with no luck. I've even pulled out most of the ceiling lights thinking that it may be near one of them. Just wondering if anyone has a similar van that could throw some light (sorry!) on my problem.
I have replaced some of the reading lights okay with MR16 LEDs as they seem to be just a "drop in" replacement with the necessary circuitry built in. The existing ceiling lights (12V 10W) are as per the attached photo and are 70mm OD, reflector 50mm. When I solve the transformer problem I may try these as replacements:
I own a 2009 Windsor Rapid and replaced the halogens with a similar type of LED. If your van is wired the same as mine you will find all lights, fans etc are 12v dc, run directly from the battery. ie: no transformer. Your lights look very similar to mine.
The only problem I had was the TV reception suffered after I replaced all the led's, which I believe was due to the el-cheapo led's I used. If anyone has a solution to that particular problem, other than fitting better quality led's, (which I did), please let us know. I replaced mine about 5 years ago and they are still working. I am sure however there are a lot better led's on the market now.
Robert.
Robert
madaboutled said
09:01 PM Jan 10, 2018
Most caravans/rv's with 12v lights run off a 12v battery system and when plugged into power a built in battery charger kicks in to keep the battery topped up. Some caravans/rv's do have a transformer to power everything 12v whilst on 240v power and with these systems they can be a combination of charger and transformer in one unit.
If you have a transformer system then you need to check what type of transformer you have. If it's an electronic type then it should be OK with LED's, but if it's an older ballast type then these can cause LED's to prematurely burn out.
If you have the 12v battery system just with built in battery charger then LED's should be OK but it's better to use Multi Volt LED's as they can handle the fluctuating voltage that a charger tends to put out.
The LED's you'd need for those light fittings are a G4 Side Pin disc type which come in varying strengths depending on how much light you want. A 5050 12SMD G4 Disc Type LED is a direct replacement for a 10w Halogen.
Your light fittings are Halogen Recessed Down Lights.
madaboutled said
09:14 PM Jan 10, 2018
thomas01 wrote:
I own a 2009 Windsor Rapid and replaced the halogens with a similar type of LED. If your van is wired the same as mine you will find all lights, fans etc are 12v dc, run directly from the battery. ie: no transformer. Your lights look very similar to mine.
The only problem I had was the TV reception suffered after I replaced all the led's, which I believe was due to the el-cheapo led's I used. If anyone has a solution to that particular problem, other than fitting better quality led's, (which I did), please let us know. I replaced mine about 5 years ago and they are still working. I am sure however there are a lot better led's on the market now.
Robert.
Robert
Hi Robert,
Yes sometimes LED's can cause interference with TV's and Radios. Common cause can be that the lights are running on the same circuit as the appliance, if you have a Fuse Box with multiple input banks you could try moving the "lights" wire to another position on the fuse box. Another thing that sometimes works is to attach a Ferrite Core noise suppression filter to the power lead of the Radio/TV. These are only a few bucks from Jaycar or other electronics stores, they simply snap over the power lead.
Most TV 240v cables already have them fitted but it's rare to find a 12v DC TV cable with one.
Hope this helps, Regards Steve.
Valkyrie01 said
12:32 AM Jan 11, 2018
Thanks guys for your quick responses. I'm beginning to think my lights may well be powered straight from the battery. I have yet to find a circuit diagram but looking at the setup, it does look pretty simple and, as I said, I haven't found a transformer. I will try replacing the halogens with something like your suggestions.
Cheers
John
robol said
08:33 AM Jan 11, 2018
I had to run another coaxial cable for the TV, to gain greater separation between LED wiring and TV cable. I also tried the ferrite cores without success.
Cheers Rob.
thomas01 said
07:57 PM Jan 11, 2018
Thanks for your suggestions Steve and Rob. Sorry to hijack your topic John.
Robert.
Valkyrie01 said
12:54 AM Jan 12, 2018
No worries Robert, it's all relevant (and educational) for me.
Hi All
This is no doubt a popular topic but search as I may I haven't found any specific answers to my question.
I have a 2011 Windsor Genesis 535 poptop with 12V halogen lights throughout and I'd like to replace them with LEDs (for better light and energy conservation). Problem is (and doesn't seem to be addressed in other posts) from what I've read/been told, the halogens are powered through a transformer which may not be suitable for LEDs as total draw may be too low. If that's the case the new LEDs would therefore need a new driver/transformer to run properly. I've been trying to find the existing transformer to check its specs but have yet to locate it. Looked in the boot and ALL cupboards with no luck. I've even pulled out most of the ceiling lights thinking that it may be near one of them. Just wondering if anyone has a similar van that could throw some light (sorry!) on my problem.
I have replaced some of the reading lights okay with MR16 LEDs as they seem to be just a "drop in" replacement with the necessary circuitry built in. The existing ceiling lights (12V 10W) are as per the attached photo and are 70mm OD, reflector 50mm. When I solve the transformer problem I may try these as replacements:
https://www.jaycar.com.au/g4-led-replacement-light-15x2835-leds-120-12vac-dc-warm-white/p/ZD0657
Then again I could just ask "experts" from the caravan industry about the missing transformer.
Thanks and Regards
John
The only problem I had was the TV reception suffered after I replaced all the led's, which I believe was due to the el-cheapo led's I used. If anyone has a solution to that particular problem, other than fitting better quality led's, (which I did), please let us know. I replaced mine about 5 years ago and they are still working. I am sure however there are a lot better led's on the market now.
Robert.
Robert
Most caravans/rv's with 12v lights run off a 12v battery system and when plugged into power a built in battery charger kicks in to keep the battery topped up. Some caravans/rv's do have a transformer to power everything 12v whilst on 240v power and with these systems they can be a combination of charger and transformer in one unit.
If you have a transformer system then you need to check what type of transformer you have. If it's an electronic type then it should be OK with LED's, but if it's an older ballast type then these can cause LED's to prematurely burn out.
If you have the 12v battery system just with built in battery charger then LED's should be OK but it's better to use Multi Volt LED's as they can handle the fluctuating voltage that a charger tends to put out.
The LED's you'd need for those light fittings are a G4 Side Pin disc type which come in varying strengths depending on how much light you want. A 5050 12SMD G4 Disc Type LED is a direct replacement for a 10w Halogen.
This article may help: What LED Fits My Light Fitting
Your light fittings are Halogen Recessed Down Lights.
Hi Robert,
Yes sometimes LED's can cause interference with TV's and Radios. Common cause can be that the lights are running on the same circuit as the appliance, if you have a Fuse Box with multiple input banks you could try moving the "lights" wire to another position on the fuse box. Another thing that sometimes works is to attach a Ferrite Core noise suppression filter to the power lead of the Radio/TV. These are only a few bucks from Jaycar or other electronics stores, they simply snap over the power lead.
Most TV 240v cables already have them fitted but it's rare to find a 12v DC TV cable with one.
Hope this helps, Regards Steve.
Thanks guys for your quick responses. I'm beginning to think my lights may well be powered straight from the battery. I have yet to find a circuit diagram but looking at the setup, it does look pretty simple and, as I said, I haven't found a transformer. I will try replacing the halogens with something like your suggestions.
Cheers
John
I had to run another coaxial cable for the TV, to gain greater separation between LED wiring and TV cable. I also tried the ferrite cores without success.
Cheers Rob.
Robert.
Cheers
John