Rebuilld Flourescent Lights

[Bob Lawrence]

Why is this under the flourescent heading?
New topic, new heading.
Bob Lawrence
84 PT36
Texas
>
> Is there a source for windshields for a 77fc35 other than the
factory? I
> have some moderate cracks and rock chips in my windshields. Not
enough that
> I wanted to replace them today, but I had been planning to buy a
set or two
> to put aside for a future replacement.
>
> Dorn Hetzel
> 77fc35
> Hogansville, ga
>
> On Feb 9, 2009 7:28 AM, "Stephen Birtles" wrote:
>
> WE have many Bluebird parts Ballast, inverters, pumps Primus parts
> Dump valve parts both new complete and replacement parts
> Stainless Exhausts for selected coaches
>
> Give me a call 888 668 4288 or look on our website
dupreeproducts.com
>
> Thanks Stephen 77 fc35
>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com 40yahoogroups.com>,
> "Jack & Donna Smith"
>
> wrote: > > When we aquired our coach, most of the
Flourescent
> lights did not > work, ...
>

[Dorn Hetzel]

With respect to the fluorescent light thread, I am about to replace the guts of some of mine with arrays of LED's.

I am going to install the LED's in place of the existing ballast and tubes, but keep the fixture and front diffuser lens, so the process should be reversible if it does not work out. I will report back on results once it's done...


Dorn Hetzel
77FC35
Hogansville, GA

On Mon, Feb 9, 2009 at 10:11 AM, Bob Lawrence <"bobandarlene@earthlink.net"> wrote:

Why is this under the flourescent heading?

New topic, new heading.

Bob Lawrence

84 PT36

Texas

>

> Is there a source for windshields for a 77fc35 other than the

factory? I

> have some moderate cracks and rock chips in my windshields. Not

enough that

> I wanted to replace them today, but I had been planning to buy a

set or two

> to put aside for a future replacement.

>

> Dorn Hetzel

> 77fc35

> Hogansville, ga

>

> On Feb 9, 2009 7:28 AM, "Stephen Birtles" wrote:

>

> WE have many Bluebird parts Ballast, inverters, pumps Primus parts

> Dump valve parts both new complete and replacement parts

> Stainless Exhausts for selected coaches

>

> Give me a call 888 668 4288 or look on our website

dupreeproducts.com

>

> Thanks Stephen 77 fc35

>

>

> --- In "WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com"
40yahoogroups.com>,

> "Jack & Donna Smith"

>

> wrote: > > When we aquired our coach, most of the

Flourescent

> lights did not > work, ...

>

[pattypape]

Stephen has all parts , 888 668 4288

dupreeproducts.com

Bill 88 FC Michigan


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Jon" wrote:
>
> Could someone give me the name of the party and his phone number that
> deals with light balas fixtures. Thanks Jon
>

[hippieforever3]

> With respect to the fluorescent light thread, I am about to replace
the guts
> of some of mine with arrays of LED's.
>
> I am going to install the LED's in place of the existing ballast and
tubes,
> but keep the fixture and front diffuser lens, so the process should be
> reversible if it does not work out. I will report back on results
once it's
> done...

Hey Don,

I've been pretty intent on replacing the fluorescents with LEDs for
battery life and dry camping reasons.

There may however be reliability problems as someone earlier pointed
out.

LEDs are (forward biased) diodes
The power consumed in forward biased diodes goes up very substantially
with only moderate increases in voltage. The voltage drop across the
LED only increases a little but the current can more than double with a
voltage increase from 12v to 14v. This results in a doubling of the
power consumed (and heat) with this relatively small voltage increase.
This doesn't happen with conventional or fluorescent bulbs. The power
only increases a little
Depending on what type of charger, inverter set-up you have, you may
get as high as 15+volts on your 12 volt lines. Most smart chargers
regularly cycle up to 14.5v and 15+ occassionally. At "equalization"
voltage, the power dissipated by some LED assemblies could be 4-5 times
the 12v they were designed for.

Therefore if you want to get reasonable life from the LEDs you have to
do one of two things;

1. Segregate your lighting circuits so you don't get the higher
voltages that some of the more sophisticated battery charges put out.
or
2. Buy voltage tolerant LEDs.

I haven't figured out how to segregate the circuits without a LOT of
work so, I'm searching for voltage tolerant LEDs'

There are two ways LEDs can be voltage tolerant.

By putting miltiple LEDs in series the voltage tolerance of each
individual LED is improved. The voltage drop across an individual LED
is between 0.7-1.2 volts so led lamps that have 8 - 15 individual LEDs
are PROBABLY (but no assurance) reasonable voltage tolerant.
These have 12 LEDs in each bulb. I've bought a few and they are working
well so far.
http://www.buylighting.com/LED-1383-R12-...lb-2-Watt-
p/led1383-50k.htm

I've run across at least one LED module that has a voltage limiting IC
incorporated
http://www.superbrightleds.com/products/...M-xLX1/1W-
Sign_ModulesSC-NHM2.pdf
I haven't bought these yet but they should also be highly voltage
tolerant. I'm going to try them in the fluorescent fixtures behind the
defuser.

Regards,
GPSGary
1984FC35SB