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One of my 12V fluorescent light ballasts in my RV burned out. I decided to replace it with LEDs using 6 cheap LEDs, a couple LED drivers, and using http://www.instructables.com/id/Replace-Low-Voltage-Bi-Pin-Halogens-with-LEDs/ as a guide. The parts were all purchased from DealExtreme.
This is Part 1 where I will hook up the LEDs. In Part 2, I dress up the exterior of the light with bamboo and acrylic.
This is Part 1 where I will hook up the LEDs. In Part 2, I dress up the exterior of the light with bamboo and acrylic.
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Signing UpStep 1Tools & Materials
Tools & Materials:
Fluorescent Light
6x LEDs (or as many as you want, in multiples of 3 per driver) - $20.16
2x LED Drivers - 12V / 85-265V - $5.04-6.64
1x Switch - $2.99 (optional)
12x #4-40 x 1/4" Screws - $1.96 (Home Depot)
12x Non-conductive washers (optional, Home Depot or RadioShack may carry)
1x tube thermal paste - $7.77
Total: ~$30-35
You can re-use the switch but I chose to purchase a different switch so that I can install it on the outside of the bamboo box I plan to make in Part 2. The screws I initially used were computer screws I already had but I switched to the screws I found at Home Depot because they included nuts. I included the non-conductive washers because I had some issues with shorts with the large head of the screws I initially used. While there shouldn't be a problem with the #4-40 screws from Home Depot, I decided to play it safe.
Other Tools & Materials:
Solder Paste
Soldering Iron
Epoxy
Liquid Tape
Wire cutter/stripper
Wire
Drill and 1/8" bit (optionally, 7/32" bit, too)
This list is what I used but all you really need is solder/solding iron and some wire (you can salvage some from the fluorescent light but I chose to leave it intact).
Fluorescent Light
6x LEDs (or as many as you want, in multiples of 3 per driver) - $20.16
2x LED Drivers - 12V / 85-265V - $5.04-6.64
1x Switch - $2.99 (optional)
12x #4-40 x 1/4" Screws - $1.96 (Home Depot)
12x Non-conductive washers (optional, Home Depot or RadioShack may carry)
1x tube thermal paste - $7.77
Total: ~$30-35
You can re-use the switch but I chose to purchase a different switch so that I can install it on the outside of the bamboo box I plan to make in Part 2. The screws I initially used were computer screws I already had but I switched to the screws I found at Home Depot because they included nuts. I included the non-conductive washers because I had some issues with shorts with the large head of the screws I initially used. While there shouldn't be a problem with the #4-40 screws from Home Depot, I decided to play it safe.
Other Tools & Materials:
Solder Paste
Soldering Iron
Epoxy
Liquid Tape
Wire cutter/stripper
Wire
Drill and 1/8" bit (optionally, 7/32" bit, too)
This list is what I used but all you really need is solder/solding iron and some wire (you can salvage some from the fluorescent light but I chose to leave it intact).
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Aug 17, 2009. 12:13 AMBerserk87
says:
How much would the florescent have cost to replace? and how much power did it use?
Reply
4
Aug 17, 2009. 12:25 PMMRedmon (author)
says:
Oh, and the LEDs are MUCH brighter!
Reply
4
Aug 17, 2009. 9:54 AMMRedmon (author)
says:
A new ballast would have cost $20-30 and used ~15 watts.
Reply
Aug 17, 2009. 6:23 PMBerserk87
says:
so your probably using less than 4W now, and it ends up being cheaper and brighter :)
Reply
2
Aug 16, 2009. 11:25 PMjimmytvf
says:
$20 for 6 leds???? buy a led flashlight and you've got it for 5 instead ;)
Reply
Aug 17, 2009. 12:11 AMBerserk87
says:
These leds are "high intensity" leds. There BLINDINGly bright, and put out a lot of heat.
Reply
2
Aug 16, 2009. 11:27 PMjimmytvf
says:
i didn't notice that were star-shaped :P
Reply
48
Aug 17, 2009. 12:03 AM
lemonie
says:
lemonie
says:
They're heat-sinks - high power LEDs
Reply
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