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02-09-2016, 10:25 AM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 37
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Outside LED lights - AC or DC
I'm looking at installing LED lights on the outside of my trailer. Different lights on the side and back to help light things up. Should I go AC or DC?
Pros/Cons
AC - can use when on battery i.e. backing up
DC - doesn't drain the battery, probably easier hookup since I don't have to run a wire from the tongue to the back
Thoughts?
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2009 Chevy Silverado 5.3L Z71
2014 Salem 281QB
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02-09-2016, 01:01 PM
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#2
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 37
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I got my AC/DC backwards, but you understand the question. Battery vs. Plugged In.
TIA
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2009 Chevy Silverado 5.3L Z71
2014 Salem 281QB
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02-10-2016, 12:33 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Mile Hi City
Posts: 639
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Why go with AC when you can install DC and use either when boon-docked or on shore power? DC would be what I would go with.
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2015 Denali Duramax 2500
2017 Coachmen 229TBS
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02-10-2016, 12:43 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Pfafftown NC
Posts: 2,353
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Absolutely DC.
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02-10-2016, 08:30 AM
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#5
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Southwest Alabama
Posts: 9,850
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I'd go with DC, but for a different reason. All LED's are DC so to make them run off AC power you have to have a transformer and rectifier. Why add more parts to the mix when you can just go with DC to begin with and reduce some failure points.
Just be sure to buy units that can stand 14+ volts as some units have a very narrow voltage range.
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Salem 29RKSS Pushing a GMC Sierra 2500HD!
Gotta go campin!
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02-10-2016, 01:32 PM
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#6
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Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: St. Charles County, MO
Posts: 70
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bama Rambler
I'd go with DC, but for a different reason. All LED's are DC so to make them run off AC power you have to have a transformer and rectifier. Why add more parts to the mix when you can just go with DC to begin with and reduce some failure points.
Just be sure to buy units that can stand 14+ volts as some units have a very narrow voltage range.
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Yes! x2
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02-10-2016, 01:52 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Wisconsin/Florida
Posts: 1,908
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Majority rules! DC. There is extremely low power drain with LED. If you haven't switched the interior lights to LED, might be a good thought as well.
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02-10-2016, 10:29 PM
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#8
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 52
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bama Rambler
I'd go with DC, but for a different reason. All LED's are DC so to make them run off AC power you have to have a transformer and rectifier. Why add more parts to the mix when you can just go with DC to begin with and reduce some failure points.
Just be sure to buy units that can stand 14+ volts as some units have a very narrow voltage range.
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Not all leds are DC, but 95% are.
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02-11-2016, 10:30 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: New York
Posts: 323
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Oh what kind of power do i have?
Quote:
Originally Posted by tmas
I'm looking at installing LED lights on the outside of my trailer. Different lights on the side and back to help light things up. Should I go AC or DC?
Pros/Cons
AC - can use when on battery i.e. backing up
DC - doesn't drain the battery, probably easier hookup since I don't have to run a wire from the tongue to the back
Thoughts?
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You do have a choice all outside lighting is 12 volt dc, no matter if it is a brake light or a coach light, now the only time this will change is if you add some kind of 120 volt outdoor lighting, but if it is factory all your lighting inside and out is 12 volt dc.
Hope this helps and Happy Camping and also since you are looking to replace all the outdoor lighting you might want to think of indoor also and you can get all of it here with a huge savings ( LED light bulb, LED light bulbs for home use and cars) and get them DIRECT and save big money!
__________________
B.Smith
2010 Cedar Creek Silverback 35ts
2001 GMC 2500HD w/ Allison & 8.1
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02-11-2016, 11:18 AM
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#10
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Gold Miner At Heart
Join Date: May 2015
Location: N.C. Blue Ridge Mtns.
Posts: 293
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DC also. I just replace all the outside lights on my 2004 5er with Led. Even replaced both scare lights which are Led. Purchased from EBay.
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“I have tried to live my life so that my family would love me and my friends would respect me. The others can do whatever the Hell they please!” —John Wayne
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02-12-2016, 06:21 AM
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#11
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MCTroy
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Troy.Ohio
Posts: 1,182
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Ok, I give. What is a scare light? Or maybe that was some creative typing?
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2015 Windjammer 3029 Diamond Edition
2018 Ram 2500
Ohio River Rat
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02-12-2016, 07:13 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Pfafftown NC
Posts: 2,353
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MCTroy
Ok, I give. What is a scare light? Or maybe that was some creative typing?
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It's a light on the outside of your trailer that you can turn on from the inside to 'SCARE' away the boogieman. Really it is!
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02-12-2016, 08:08 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Wisconsin/Florida
Posts: 1,908
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Our 2500TS came equipped with a row of LED lights tucked under the awning. On our last outing for the season, we were camped very near to the lake shore. Our daughter-in-law was experiencing her first trip in a MH and our son was more than thrilled to expand his memories of growing up camping. The LED lights were on while we enjoyed an evening campfire.
It was very dark when our camping neighbors returned on their pontoon from dinner across the lake . We had a great conversation with them after they told us our LEDs had been a beacon for them to find the campgrounds.We never thought of it that way.
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02-12-2016, 08:58 AM
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#14
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MCTroy
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Troy.Ohio
Posts: 1,182
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Will it work on bass fisherman? They start out too early and wake us up. Thanks for the clarification!
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2015 Windjammer 3029 Diamond Edition
2018 Ram 2500
Ohio River Rat
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02-12-2016, 09:22 AM
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#15
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Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 15,300
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I ran this some of the conduit below along the frame ( used existing screws holding coroplast using cable clamps) from the tongue to bumper. I ran a tracer line in it. I used it to add back up lights and B/U camera wiring). No advantages to AC lights as if you have AC, you are not using battery anyway. All LEDs are DC as mentioned above.
Carlon 3/4 in. x 100 ft. ENT Coil - Blue-12007-100 - The Home Depot
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2015 Freedom Express 248RBS
TV 2015 Silverado HD2500 Duramax
TST Tire Monitors
Honda 2000I + Companion
2 100W solar panels
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