New LED Light

[Lisa H.]

I've been considering buying two LED reading lamps for my trailer and the company emailed me stating that the lamps I inquired about are on backorder. The salesperson offered me an option to buy the same lamp housing with a new LED light in it but I don't know whether or not this new light is a superior or inferior product.

Here's the link for the original lamp: http://www.sailorsams.com/mall/tube-9006-l...ading-light.asp
and here's what the salesperson had to say about the new LED light:

"The New LED G4 BULB:
Powerful LED G4 bulb with 10 LEDs provides warm white light (120 lumens). Solid state reliability. High intensity, well heat sink, 120 degree view angle, meant time 40,000 hours, voltage from 120VAC/DC or 8-30volts. No UV, superior ESD protection. Wave Length 3300-3600k. Fits most of our Reading and Wall light fixtures."

If anyone can interpret all this for me I'd really appreciate it as I hate throwing money away!
Thanks in advance!

[Greg A]

Sounds like it would work great.
I use a 9 LED light in our Jacque Pennay reading lights and they are excellent for reading.

[peterh]

O.K., let me break it down for you:

> . . . provides warm white light . . . Wave Length 3300-3600k . . .

The average color of light produced by a light source is measured in the "Kelvin" temperature scale. Lights with lower "Kelvin" numbers have a distinctly yellowish cast to them; lights with higher numbers cast a light that has a blueish hue. A the yellow light produced by a candle flame measures about 1900K, while the slightly blue light that comes from a "cool white" fluorescent tube measures around 4200K. Standard incandescent light bulbs give off 3000K light.

So what this blurb is telling you is these LEDs pump out light that's half-way between what you'd expect from a regular light bulb and a cool-white fluorescent fixture. It's a good general-purpose light color.

> . . . 120 lumens . . .

About the same amount of light as a 10-watt halogen reading light.

If you liked the description of the old LED lights, this sounds like an even (or even slightly better) swap.

[Joe Z]

Peter.....
that was a really great explanation as i never really understood all those numbers and don't like the bluish LED Lights.this definately cleasrs up the confusion and will save this post for future reference
thnx,
Joe

[Pete Dumbleton]

Here's a link to a Wiki on CFL's and color temperatures -- Some manfs don't print the color temperatures on the box or bulb -- One hardware guy told me that lowering the temperature towards warm light means increased inside coating on the light and increased cost, so if the temperature is not available, it is likely on the high end.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compact_fluorescent_lamp

[Roy in TO]

> . . . 120 lumens . . .

About the same amount of light as a 10-watt halogen reading light.

What wattage would that compare to a in a regular light bulb or the newer compact flourescents?

[peterh]

What wattage would that compare to a in a regular light bulb or the newer compact flourescents?

A 40-watt household incandescent light bulb puts out about 1000 lumens of light, but a comparison is not easy to make. First, incandescent bulbs put out a wide range of light colors that average out to something in the 3000K range. LEDs concentrate their output in colors of light our eyes see well, so you get more punch per lumen. How much punch . . . you really have to judge for yourself.

[Lisa H.]

O.K., let me break it down for you:

> . . . provides warm white light . . . Wave Length 3300-3600k . . .

The average color of light produced by a light source is measured in the "Kelvin" temperature scale. Lights with lower "Kelvin" numbers have a distinctly yellowish cast to them; lights with higher numbers cast a light that has a blueish hue. A the yellow light produced by a candle flame measures about 1900K, while the slightly blue light that comes from a "cool white" fluorescent tube measures around 4200K. Standard incandescent light bulbs give off 3000K light.

So what this blurb is telling you is these LEDs pump out light that's half-way between what you'd expect from a regular light bulb and a cool-white fluorescent fixture. It's a good general-purpose light color.

> . . . 120 lumens . . .

About the same amount of light as a 10-watt halogen reading light.

If you liked the description of the old LED lights, this sounds like an even (or even slightly better) swap.

Peter,
Thank you for your explanation and evaluation of the lights. I get it now! I guess I'll get the substitute lights that they are offering! Also, the flat panel LEDs you recommended arrived from VLEDs today and fit perfectly in the dome fixtures I recently purchased. Now all I need to do is learn how to do all the wiring for the entire electrical system. I'll get there eventually. Thanks for your helpful suggestions and analysis.