Hot LED lights?

[djcarter]

Thought we had LED but I thought LEDs did not get hot, after just a few minutes these are hot and the coach is really bright its a 2016 Hurricane, any thoughts

[16ACE27]

Those are LEDs. Who told you LEDs don't get hot?

[tenbear]

LEDs do get warm, but not as warm as incandescent light bulbs. They also come in a wide variety of power. Since you describe yours as really bright they are probably brighter and use more power than led bulbs that are the same brightness as your old bulbs.

Generally, leds use about 15% of the power that incandescent lights of the same brightness use. That results in about 15% of the heat.

[djcarter]

Thanks do they make gels or films or something you could put over them so they are not so bright

[SuperD]

Actually a piece or two of typing paper cut to fit the lenses will reduce the brightness. Start out with a single sheet in the bottom of lense and then add more until you reach a comfortable level. The leds get warm but not hot enough to cause a fire hazard. Using paper will keep your light color white. I have it in a couple of our bedroom lights.

[JamieGeek]

Looking at your picture I bet the thing that gets the hottest is the regulator (the largest black chip on the board). That is reducing the voltage from 12V down to something that the LEDs like (like 1V or 2V).

[gmc]

Sounds like you have original equipment - so hoping Thor knew better... but in aftermarket - buying LEDs rated for 12v and putting them in our RVs can result in VERY HOT LEDs...
Our RV's typically have over 13v on the 12v side of things.. which overpowers 12v LEDs... (brighter light + heat - until something gives out.)

Everything I've bought is rated 12-24v - and runs very cool... I can hold my finger on it as long as I want...

[RipVanWinkle]

We have the same issue one light got gets so hot is discolored the cover. My guess its the circuitry that gets hot. I think I am going to replace it with a different kind LED not this board mounted stuff.

[SammyC]

If you feel the LED's themselves are hot and got brighter, sounds like the driver may be experiencing an over-voltage surge. Check that the fixture is receiving the proper voltage. But......they do get warm, never hot to the touch.

[RipVanWinkle]

thanks for the info..i will measure it but other lights on the same switch dont get that hot.

[SammyC]

Correct, thats why it sounds like you have a driver issue. (Use to be called a ballast)

[RipVanWinkle]

Ohh balast.. now I get it.. I thought you were talking about my wife. ( driver )

[SammyC]

Haha

[mtntrek]

Originally Posted by JamieGeek

Looking at your picture I bet the thing that gets the hottest is the regulator (the largest black chip on the board). That is reducing the voltage from 12V down to something that the LEDs like (like 1V or 2V).

This is generally the case. For example many 120V fixtures, retrofit bulbs have large heat sinks for this purpose on the transformer /regulator used. The Light Emitting Diode doesn't create the heat as a filament would.
They do however produce varying wavelengths of visible light that can pose problems to some vision receptors in some individuals and situations. There are different quality levels and outputs for different applications. We all know that RV mfr's aren't noted for always providing the best application specific components. Glare can be common. The suggestion of the DE-fuser or frosted lens may help, some (not all) are dim-able.
Best of luck.

[SammyC]

Yea what he said!!! Well put.