Interior light power draw question
Tuned
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 269
Likes: 6
Krewat.....It's NOT the Alternator OR Batteries! It's that they are cheap LED's from China and as jefferyclay posted....(and I would agree) , It's probably the breakdown of some of the circuitry of the units. As I said...I think they were less than a buck from China. And FREE SHIPPING TOO!!! I don't know how they even manage to do that. Probably ship Thousands in one box and (classify) it as a (gift) to avoid tariff's /duty/import fees... I remember I ordered a Lazer pointer once from China and it was manifested as a (deluxe pen set) and (gift). Glad the US postal inspector didn't drag me down to GitMo for that one!! LOL DDT
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
Likes: 423
From: Long Island USA
While that's all well and good, LEDs are much more sensitive to transient voltage swings, and you will see any issues with the alternator or battery a lot better with LEDs than incandescent bulbs. I'd have to see a schematic of the LED strip to tell if there was an internal voltage multiplier or anything else going on than a simple strand of LEDs connected in serial.
Tuned
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 269
Likes: 6
Krewat, Yes I get what you are saying . But I have TWO LED's installed. One for the drivers dome light and one for the rear cargo area of van. Front is blinking, Rear is NOT.
Do you think I have a Battery or alternator problem based on that info?
I also have a scan gauge with voltage output programed in. IIRC it shows 14.1 volts when I am driving at Hwy. speeds (RPM). Pretty sure I am O.K. with Alt. & Bat. It was just a malfunctioning LED. I changed it for another one of same batch. No more blinky blink. (at least for now) DDT
Do you think I have a Battery or alternator problem based on that info?
I also have a scan gauge with voltage output programed in. IIRC it shows 14.1 volts when I am driving at Hwy. speeds (RPM). Pretty sure I am O.K. with Alt. & Bat. It was just a malfunctioning LED. I changed it for another one of same batch. No more blinky blink. (at least for now) DDT
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
Likes: 423
From: Long Island USA
I also have a scan gauge with voltage output programed in. IIRC it shows 14.1 volts when I am driving at Hwy. speeds (RPM). Pretty sure I am O.K. with Alt. & Bat. It was just a malfunctioning LED. I changed it for another one of same batch. No more blinky blink. (at least for now) DDT
You could have come across with that info upfront, and I would have said "Yeah, bad LED unit"
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 425
Likes: 1
From: Fayetteville, TN
I installed LEDs in all my interior lights. I think I have 5. I came home at night from a short 3 day trip, in my car, and when I pulled into the driveway, I noticed my interior lights were on in my van. First thought was, oh crap, someone broke into my van. I went around the the back and the rear door was open and nothing missing. Idiot me got something out of the van before the trip and left the door open for 3 days. Van started right up. Battery was just fine.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 786
Likes: 26
Wire is cheap. Fires are not.
It takes time to run new wires. It takes longer to find and replace melted wires.
Do it right, or not. It's your van, your life, your choice.
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