LED Bulbs - polarized?
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Topic: LED Bulbs - polarized?
Posted By: pentachris
Subject: LED Bulbs - polarized?
Date Posted: 15 Aug 2011 at 7:05pm
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Looking at SuperBrightLEDs.com for replacement bulbs. Do I need polarized bulbs, or does it matter? Also, looking at the lumen ratings on the LED bulbs - I'm not sure how to compare them. Does anyone know what the stock bulbs' lumen rating is?
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Replies:
Posted By: TerryM
Date Posted: 16 Aug 2011 at 4:41am
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LEDs are diodes so they only pass electric in one direction. So I would say that they are polarized then. The LEDs from SuperBrite are a direct replacement for the type of bulbs in our campers. So really, you don't have anything to worry about. Plug and play. Here is a chart showing the Lumen of regular house bulbs:
This isn't exactly what you are looking for but it gives some idea of the Lumen output. Terry ------------- RP-175 W/Lift Kit 2011 Ford F-150 4X4 Saint Augustine, FL: The first permanent European settlement in the USA: 1565 |
Posted By: Goose
Date Posted: 16 Aug 2011 at 9:59am
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Yes, Terry is right they are polarized. If you put the LED in the socket and it does not light then just rotate the bulb 180 degrees and put it back into the socket and it should work. I put single LED's in the marker lights on our POD and had to flip a couple of them around. Goose ------------- Mother Goose's Caboose..2011 RP171..07 Grand Cherokee 
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Posted By: pentachris
Date Posted: 16 Aug 2011 at 10:26am
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Goose: they are not all polarized, or at least that's what http://goo.gl/Li7sU - the site indicates. Hence my question - do I need to get polarized, non-polarized, or does it matter? I'm kind of thinking that Terry is right in saying not to worry about it, though. I'm guessing that the non-polarized bulbs have circuitry in them that figures out which way the current is coming from and switches it to go to the diodes correctly...
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Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 16 Aug 2011 at 1:00pm
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Just got mine yesterday, installed them today.. mine were/are not polarized... I did just better than 50/50 at getting them right the first time. lol. I ordered from ebay, like $20 to do the whole camper. She likes them. ------------- |
Posted By: HuronSailor
Date Posted: 16 Aug 2011 at 1:29pm
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I believe the term "polarized LED" is referring to a minor difference in the LEDs material as opposed to normal LED lights. Supposedly this results in a slight increase in efficiency over normal LEDs. I wouldn't worry about it, just order the normal LED lights. As they said, if you plug 'em in backwards, they won't light, so just flip 'em around. If anyone cares, here's a link to a technical article about polarized LEDs: http://techztalk.com/techwebsite/01-14-09-new-polarized-led-smart-lighting-to-improve-efficiency - http://techztalk.com/techwebsite/01-14-09-new-polarized-led-smart-lighting-to-improve-efficiency ------------- .: Mark & Beth :: Silverado 5.3L :: 2018 rPod 180 :. |
Posted By: pentachris
Date Posted: 16 Aug 2011 at 3:04pm
Ahhh, I see, now! That clears it up, thanks!
You totally just fed my geek/nerd craving for the day.
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Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 16 Aug 2011 at 10:42pm
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I learned something new, cool.
------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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