LED light connections

[sledge]

Hi ALL

Bayswater Jayco retrofitted our March 2013 van with LEDs as the rolling change in the factory hadnt quite kicked in. Unfortunately the model used seem to lose contact regularly and we have to fiddle with them in the socket to get them going again.

Just wondering if anyone else has had this issue and if there is a quick fix? One of the lights wont work unless I actually hold it in exactly the right position.

cheers sledge

 

[millers]

@sledge had an issue with LEDs when I replaced globes. The wires were only loose and could float around in the connector. I placed the contacts in the correct location and then filled the connector with glue using a hot glue gun to fix the wire/connectors in place. Do not know if this is same issue but hope the idea is useful.

cheers Steve

 

[Brad]

I had a similar issue. I just fiddled with the wires on the side of the LED connection till it worked.

 

[Xpandafan]

Had an issue in the Flamingo, just repositioned/re tensioned the contacts with a screw driver.

 

[sledge]

@sledge had an issue with LEDs when I replaced globes. The wires were only loose and could float around in the connector. I placed the contacts in the correct location and then filled the connector with glue using a hot glue gun to fix the wire/connectors in place. Do not know if this is same issue but hope the idea is useful.

cheers Steve

Steve
If you fill with glue, how would you replace the LED panel later if needed?
cheers sledge

 

[sledge]

Had an issue in the Flamingo, just repositioned/re tensioned the contacts with a screw driver.

Im assuming you are referring to the socket contacts as the panel plug is nothing more than 2 thin wires.....almost like fuse wire?

 

[Xpandafan]

Im assuming you are referring to the socket contacts as the panel plug is nothing more than 2 thin wires.....almost like fuse wire?

Yes. Eventually got LEDS with full size plug like this one.

 

[millers]

@sledge a picture may help. I filled the connector with glue on the plug side when it was not in the socket. Set the wires to were you want them and then fill the back with glue. Connectors are just wires and were loose in the connector.

 

[sledge]

@sledge a picture may help. I filled the connector with glue on the plug side when it was not in the socket. Set the wires to were you want them and then fill the back with glue. Connectors are just wires and were loose in the connector.

Thanks for that. However, it went in for a 1000km service today and they are ordering a replacement from Jayco, so be interesting to see what they provide given the dealer retrofitted.

 

[sledge]

Yes. Eventually got LEDS with full size plug like this one.
View attachment 16177

Be keen to find out where you sourced these from and how much Xpandafan?

 

[Xpandafan]

Be keen to find out where you sourced these from and how much Xpandafan?

Those ones came from China via eBay quite a few years back (I was an early adopter of caravan LEDs, as I free camp during summer and gas lights were too noisy and hot, incandescents likewise, especially the light at the door grab handle) They cost about $3-4 each as I remember. Think they were described as T10 auto side-lights.
Plenty of similar now on eBay at about two or three times that price. They have the larger size super bright LEDs.
Companies like Tech-Advantage, etc.
Bright Light Auto Parts (Ferntree Gully way) were going to have some made in China but don't know if anything came of it.
Alled (alled.com.au) also worth a look, sell on eBay as well.
I prefer the flat lamps, as I didn't see much advantage from cylindrical lamps as reflector appears not that efficient. Been through a few different versions over the years in my Swan, FlamingoOB, and now the Expanda.
Only one rule for me now...Mrs XF and I need to have enough light to be able to read easily (old eyes).

 

[Hubble80]

If you stick with SMD 5050 LED technology you should have enough light, providing you purchase ones with enough LEDs on them. I like the flat panel ones for inside, haven't attacked the grab handle one as yet as we never use it.

 

[CJ1177]

I put a 36LED panel in the grab handle & OMG :eek-53: it's bright in your eyes & I'm not short by any means must be even worse for he little ones, I'm thinking of changing it for a smaller panel

 

[Xpandafan]

I put a 36LED panel in the grab handle & OMG :eek-53: it's bright in your eyes & I'm not short by any means must be even worse for he little ones, I'm thinking of changing it for a smaller panel

Yep. I put LED strip lighting under the awning as well as modded the outside light and grab handle. Looks a bit like a 7-Eleven store. Don't want little tackers blinded, but at least they don't get burnt fingers on the incandescent one that mine came with. Sometimes smaller is better. Like in the ensuite as well, originally looked like a solarium, so swapped to a smaller lamp.

 

[Hubble80]

Tried to get into the grab handle, is there a trick to getting the cover off?

 

[Xpandafan]

Tried to get into the grab handle, is there a trick to getting the cover off?

Yep.
You stick your finger up under the lens cover and it just pushes off.
I spent a day trying to work it out.

 

[Hubble80]

Yep.
You stick your finger up under the lens cover and it just pushes off.
I spent a day trying to work it out.

ummm ok! Will give it a shot. Cheers XF!!

 

[Xpandafan]

ummm ok! Will give it a shot. Cheers XF!!

Trust me

 

[Hubble80]

Ohh, mine is the oval shaped white on, so may be a bit different...

 

[Pace]

Ohh, mine is the oval shaped white on, so may be a bit different...

This is ours. Oh, i installed the LED last week.

Cheers Pace.