Author: Chelsea Barron
Are you considering switching your RV lighting to LED? More and more RVers are choosing to change out their traditional RV lights for LED lighting. There are a few reasons to do this, and a couple of ways to go about it.
If you’ve been considering making the switch, you may be wondering what the benefits of doing so are. On the other hand, you may just be on a search for information on how to make this RV upgrade.
No matter where you are in this process, this is the article for you. Here we will discuss the whys and hows behind putting LED lighting in your RV so you can stop wondering and start making this amazing change to your little home-on-wheels.
Why Change to LED Lighting in Your RV
Let’s first address the why. Why would you go through the effort of changing the lights in your RV, and why would you spend hundreds of dollars to make this change? Here are the top four reasons we are seeing so many people make this modification:
Reason #1: Less Electricity Used
The number one reason to switch over to LED Lighting in your RV is because LED lights use far less electricity than traditional lighting options. This is perfect for RVers who boondock often, because it means their RV battery will last much longer between charges.
That said, it’s also a good thing for those staying in RV parks that charge for electricity usage, as it will almost certainly cause their electric bill to go down. Additionally, less electricity usage is better for the environment, making LED lights a greener choice.
Related Read: The Benefits of LED Lighting for Your Coach
Reason #2: Brighter Overall
In addition to using less electricity, LED lights tend to be much brighter than their counterparts. Sure, you can pick and choose the coloring of your lights, giving you some control over the brightness. However, almost everyone who makes the switch will rave simply about how much brighter it makes their RV feel.
Reason #3: Cooler to the Touch
Anyone who’s ever accidentally touched a light bulb that’s been on for a while knows that those things get very hot. This is just as true for traditional RV light bulbs as it is for house light bulbs, and the bulbs in RVs are much easier to touch accidentally, since their switches are often built into the fixtures themselves.
On top of that, the bulbs are generally closer to the wall in an RV, something that can actually cause burning if the lights are left on for too long. Lastly, these hot light bulbs actually put off so much heat they can cause an RV to become overly hot during the summer, making it very difficult to cool the space down.
LED lights, on the other hand, are completely cool to the touch. They don’t put any additional heat into the space, and are unlikely to cause any burning.
Reason #4: Creative Lighting Solutions
Because they do not put off heat, LED lights are the perfect choice for those who want to put lighting in creative spaces. Want extra light inside your cabinets? LED lights are ideal for this. Looking to add a strip of light to your slide? LED lights will do quite nicely.
How to Change to LED Lighting in Your RV
Now that you have a better understanding of why someone might want to make this change, we can move on to the how. As mentioned before, there are actually a couple of different options when it comes to installing LED lighting in your rig, and neither one is very difficult to do.
Changing Out the Bulbs
The first option is to change out the bulbs in your RV for LED bulbs. This is the easiest option by far, and the route we recommend going if at all possible.
All you’ll need to do is find out what kind of bulb you’re currently using in your RV and make sure the LED bulb you buy is compatible with your light fixtures. You’ll also want to check the max wattage allowed on any given fixture and ensure the bulbs you use won’t exceed that number. Finally, make sure the bulbs you choose are made specifically for RV or vehicle use, or install a voltage regulator in order to ensure they will be protected from unexpected surges.
Related Read: Why You Should Consider Switching Your RV Headlights to LEDs
Be sure to check all bulbs you plan to switch out, because some RVs have different types of light fixtures installed, meaning you may need more than one type of bulb. Additionally, you’ll want to be sure to consider the color and brightness of the LED bulbs you choose, as there are plenty of options to choose from.
These bulbs are expensive. Some people look at sites such as Ebay to save some money, but we don't recommend doing this. Instead, order from a site such as Camping World. Even Amazon can be okay, just be sure to check reviews before buying.
In some cases, simply changing the bulbs won’t work. In these cases, you’ll need to change out the entire fixture. Fortunately, this isn’t as hard as it sounds. Simple RV LED light fixtures can be ordered from almost anywhere that sells RV parts and accessories. To install one, follow the steps below:
Cut off all electricity to the RV by unplugging from shore power and disconnecting the battery. DO NOT work on this project with live power anywhere in the rig.
Remove the old fixture by removing the covers, removing the old light bulbs, and unscrewing the plastic base piece from the wall or ceiling.
Disconnect the wires, paying careful attention to which wire is which and leaving yourself plenty of wire coming from the wall or ceiling to attach the new fixture to.
Using wire nuts and a wire stripper, connect the wires on the fixture to the wires in the RV ceiling or wall, making sure you connect them correctly.
Turn the power back on to test that the light is wired correctly. If not, turn the power back off and try again.
Remove the plastic bulb covers, screw the new fixture into place, and replace the covers.
While this does take a bit longer than just replacing the bulbs, it is totally doable and even offers the benefit of giving you a chance to choose the fixture you like best.
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Electronics, Green Living, RV Hacks, RV Repairs / Maintenance / Upgrades, RV Tips