Led tubes

[Technobadger]

Okay question night

Can I get led tubes to replace the tubes in my Cali
You know the fluorescent ones.
I now the guts may need to be changed

[Oldiebut goodie]

Make them yourself:

[Technobadger]

Nice
I want to keep the original fittings and retro fit LEDs.
You can get led tubes but I can't find the small ones.

[Oldiebut goodie]

I used the original fittings as those ones are recessed in my roof.

[Technobadger]

Mines a pop Cali. So I have the 4 recessed caravan type.

[Allanw]

Be aware that LEDs don't always use less poer than Flouros - some have lots of resistors and run warm. They can often use more power than fluoro too.

I've got some LED bars that are far smaller than flouro, but use more power.

[Oldiebut goodie]

Just make your array so that it consumes less, simples. You don't have to rely on someone else's design.

[California Dreamin]

Before: Lamp over the sliding door. The starting was very lazy, took 5/6 on/off switches to start...even after a new tube was fitted.






Afterwards...two strips of white LED's, much brighter but a bit harsh, perhaps if I did this again I would choose 'warm white' LED's instead...cost under a fiver.




Martin

[Technobadger]

Martin you've cracked it
Same fittings as well. May I ask where you got the LEDs and the consumption.

[California Dreamin]

Ayup mate....Not honestly sure on the power drain on these particular strips as it's over 18months ago so any links won't be of any use now.
However, I did do a little bit of research for you and 'Typical' warm white 3528 LED strips use 4.8 watts per metre length (60 LED's per metre).
So thats a good 40% plus, lower power consumption than the standard 8watt tube.
Also, done right this can give you brighter lights.

Drawbacks & possible issues:
They can be a little awkward mounting securely in the lamp.
Pure white LED's do give a fairly harsh light so I would choose warm white.
LED's are fairly directional so will need diffusing to spread the light (try to mount away from the diffuser lense to maximise this)

Positives:
Brighter if you choose the right LED's.
Less power, again if you choose the right LEDS & number of LED's.
Instant illumination
Very reliable but I would be inclined to use waterproof types in vehicle applications.
May effect door operated alarm systems as volt drop is reduced.

Martin

[AdrianC]

LED's are fairly directional so will need diffusing to spread the light (try to mount away from the diffuser lense to maximise this)

I'm liking the concept - a lot - and I'm with Technobadger on keeping the original fitting, but I'd definitely like something a bit more diffused, more like the original in terms of light output - that "strip of lots of little bright spots" doesn't really do it for me. Don't really want "brighter".

Has anybody had a play with something along those lines and some kind of extra diffuser behind the lens?

[California Dreamin]

As an ex professional photographer I used to play alot with lights/snoots/diffusers/flags/reflectors/honeycombs/soft boxes/light tents/copy stands and other devices to shape and control light.
So there are a few things you could do.

Use warm whites instead of white.
Use LED lights with built in lenses (typically moulded onto the LED these give a much greater angle of light/greater spread)
Use an acylic diffuser panel inside the light fitting (the type used over ceiling lights in offices) like this stuff:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PRISMATIC-ACR ... 27b826394a" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Obviously the camera (picture) shows bright dots but it is more diffused to the eye.


Martin

[Technobadger]

How about backing the fitting with foil tape for added reflection ??

[Oldiebut goodie]

Leds don't transmit light backwards - they have a lens at the front which directs the light forward. There is a minimal amount of light viewable from the rear of an led caused by internal reflection.

[AdrianC]

Leds don't transmit light backwards - they have a lens at the front which directs the light forward. There is a minimal amount of light viewable from the rear of an led caused by internal reflection.

So put a reflector behind, then turn them shiny-side-in, and let them reflect. You'll lose that "bright spots" look, and with a deflector it may work well. Or it might be 'orrible. Worth a try.

Anybody got the dimensions or spec of the original tube handy? It's too miserable outside to go and fetch one...