Date: Tue, 23 Feb 2010 08:57:06 -0600
Reply-To: mcneely4@COX.NET
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dave Mcneely <mcneely4@COX.NET>
Subject: Re: LED Refit
In-Reply-To: <4B835308.7070402@charter.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
fluorescent light contains more blue than other types of lamps, of course. However, manufacturers can "tweak" the output to alter wavelength -- hence grow lamps that are balanced for more red to provide the wavelengths needed for photosynthesis. Some of the newer compact fluorescents are balanced to fit the "daylight" spectrum. We have been living with indoor fluorescents for many years now, and no one seems to have been harmed (by the light I mean -- what we do with the mercury is another matter). I have a relative who describes compact fluorescent lamps as "inefficient," because he claims that the light is the "wrong color," and that it must be dangerous to the eyes. He won't have any in his house. Hmmmm...... .
In general, we get used to the color balance of light, so long as it contains at least some of the full spectrum we see in sunlight. However, the led lamps contain more blue and less yellow than does sunlight (and incandescent and halogen), and yes, they do appear to be brighter. But, the lumens advertised fall within the range of lumens on incandescents and fluorescents recommended for the same applications.
If we had grown up with led lamps, we'd likely not be bothered by them. I predict we'll get used to them in most applications.
Something that confuses me right now is the price. Some led lamps are very cheap. I bought three for use in my camper and about camp that consist of a plastic ring with 12 small led bulbs, operated by two AA batteries, with a hanger. Quite bright. five bucks each. A similar sized lamp with a standard screw adapter to use in a socket and operate with household current can cost from $10 to $100 bucks. I guess the hardware for 120 V use, and the screw mount are more expensive than the admittedly very cheap construction (like an el cheapo incandescent flashlight) of my lamps.
We'll see how the lamps I bought hold up. Used one all last summer, still have it, still works, bought the other two recently. They come with cheap batteries that fail almost immediately, but of course good batteries are still cheap.
DMc
---- John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET> wrote:
> The LED is a very white light, whereas the human eye is functions best
> in a yellow light, thus a conflict. This is why to me the bright
> blue/white lights some people are putting on their cars are anathema to
> me. 'Should be outlawed in my opinion. But the white LED inside is OK if
> you like them. but I don't - not for reading. Again - white vs yellow.
> Even flourescents can be problematical.
>
> John Rodgers
> Clayartist and Moldmaker
> 88'GL VW Bus Driver
> Chelsea, AL
> Http://www.moldhaus.com
>
>
>
> Joy Hecht wrote:
> > I'd be interested in the link for the source of your lights too. Though
> > actually I'd like lights in that place that are MUCH brighter. I do read by
> > the incandescent light, but it is hard, it is very dim. Has anyone done a
> > refit that greatly increases the light available? I don't like LED lights -
> > are there fluorescent refits that folks have done? They are much brighter
> > than LEDs.
> >
> >
> >
> > Joy
> >
> >
> > On Mon, Feb 22, 2010 at 7:22 PM, Paul Gordon <paul_gordon@sympatico.ca>wrote:
> >
> >
> >> Moderator, Could you please post this as it may be of interest to some list
> >> members.
> >> ----- Original Message -----
> >> From: Paul Gordon
> >> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> >> Sent: Tuesday, February 16, 2010 2:04 PM
> >> Subject: LED Refit
> >>
> >>
> >> I have just completed a LED refit on the light over the Water tank/
> >> Storage area. The incandescent lamps (3) seem to draw an obscene amount of
> >> power from the auxiliary battery. After shopping around I found a molded
> >> strip of 12 LED's that fits perfectly into this fixture. removed the
> >> existing lamp holders by drilling out the rivets. The new strip has an
> >> adhesive backing that appears to be permanent. Rewiring was really simple.
> >> Light output is about the same as the old incandescents but have a very
> >> slight bluish tinge. No problem reading in this light. Just not as warm a
> >> light as the old. I regret not throwing ammeter on the circuit to see what
> >> it did draw but I would estimate the new lights draw less than 1/20 the
> >> amount of power the incandescents did. FWIW. Thoughts or comments welcome.
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
> >
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