Hot Halogen Light

[Jeanne and Geoff]

On Sat night while reading under one of our halogen lights, we noticed an unpleasant smell. I went outside not believing that the smell could come from inside the van. There was no smell outside but the smell was still inside the van. It turned out to be the componentry surrounding the halogen bulb - the smoke that had started by then was a dead set give away. I hate to think what would have happened if we had gone for a shower or gone out and left that light on!!

Turned the light off and when we were able to remove the surround, we found that it was buckled and a small section had in fact melted. Unfortunately, can't post a pic because the Canon is giving up the ghost also.

We will now be replacing all our halogen bulbs with LEDs. When we were at the Casino meet, a speaker on all things electronic said that halogens generate very high heat (about 300 deg C!). He also said that 35 house fires in Vic in one year had a halogen light near combustible material as the cause.

We were wondering if anyone else has had problems with halogen heat. The van is 4 years old.

Geoff

PS Apart from the above drama, we had a great time

[Rosco]

Jeanne & Geoff

On the Birdsville gathering my friend tagged along in a camper trailer. One day when we stopped for the night and raised the top, one of the halogen lights had switched itself on and it had burnt through the folded clears and the matress. He was lucky it didnt turn into a fireball. The manufacturer did fix it.

Just goes to show the dangers of halogens.

It may be worth replacing them with LED replacement globes. No heat and less power consumption.

Check this site: http://www.ledshoponline.com/

Rosco

:confused:

[Rod and Mavis]

Hi Jeanne and Geoff

We replaced all of our halogens including the range hood light long ago not only for the reason of their heat but also for their power consumption and the dubious safety record as you mentioned.

We found that they were very uncomfortable in summer.

LED's are expencive but well worth the conversion. They are cool to use.

We also replaced the step handle globe with a LED.

Best Regards.

Rod and Mavis. :thumbsup:

[Jeanne and Geoff]

Hello Rosco

Thanks for the web site referral. I will also be checking out Springers and ABR Sidewinder. I know the owner (Derek Bester) of the latter company. As a mechanic he was very particular re his workmanship. I think he would have checked out LEDs thoroughly before offering them for sale. His site is interesting to look at.

Web address is www.sidewinder.com.au

geoff

[Kimbo]

Can someone tell me what type size or code name for these hologen lights are ???? I know they are smaller than the normal Halogen lights that are fitted to homes and I have been looking for LED's to suit but Im not sure of what I'm asking for when I go to a shop and cant explain, only option is to take a globe and when I find a shop that sells Led's I never have a globe handy.

Regards

[Webby]

Kimbo,

We replaced all our halogen lights with LED's. But you know how technical I am. I took the old bulb out and said to the guy at Springers - "Can I please have a LED to replace this." :laugh:

Not cheap, but definately worth it. I didn't like the heat the old ones generated. They got ridiculously hot !The ones I bought have a built in regulator.

[Rosco]

Thanks Geoff,

I know ABR, I have bought items several times through them in the past and found their service and products excellent.

Rosco

:thumbsup: