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Topic: Cabin Bright v. Starlights Revolution fluorescent replacements (Read 12 times) previous topic - next topic
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Cabin Bright v. Starlights Revolution fluorescent replacements
Yahoo Message Number: 152059
I recently replaced the fluorescents over the kitchen counter in my 2004 RK with 2 Cabin Bright FLED18R-X LED strips.  Here are some comparisons with the original fluorescents (in Sunbeam Trailer Products Sunray TS fixtures) and with a Starlights Revolution T8-18 I installed in 2011.

All measurements are with the plastic diffusers in place.
 Measuring 38cm directly below the fixture (the maximum distance, with the light meter resting on the kitchen sink rim), the 2 Cabin Bright strips produced 1100 lux.  At the same distance, 1 Starlights Revolution T8-18 produced 700 lux, and the original fluorescent fixture with 2 old tubes produced 910 lux.
 Cabin Bright advertises "33% BRIGHTER than your existing 2 tubes."  I measured 21%.
 I also measured at 90 degrees from the fixture and 50cm distant, to get an idea of how directional the light is.  Cabin Bright: 190 lux, Starlights: 46 lux, original fluorescents: 70 lux.  This surprised me since all the LEDs on the Cabin Bright strips point straight down, whereas the Starlights and of course real fluorescent tubes emit in all directions.  It may be because I removed and discarded the reflector, and mounted the Cabin Bright strips directly to the interior of the fixture, giving the light more room to bounce around inside the fixture.
 The Cabin Bright strips are available in three color temperatures.  I chose 4100 kelvin "natural white" and measured 3700 kelvin.  I measured the Starlights at 4100 kelvin and the old, warm white fluorescents at 3850 kelvin.  I like the color of the Cabin Bright strips for use in the kitchen.  Food looks natural.
 As far as I can tell, the Cabin Bright strips are unregulated.  There's no electromagnetic interference (EMI), also called radio frequency interference (RFI).  However, the lights flicker a little when the water pump is running.  The Starlights tube is regulated and never flickers, but produces a small amount of EMI.
 Installing the Cabin Bright strips was fairly simple.  The wires are too small for my wire strippers, so I had to strip them by hand.  To make room for the LED strips, I removed all the wiring between the fluorescent tube sockets and the ballast circuit board, so there's no going back.  Cabin Bright provided wire nuts; I'll see if they remain in placed.  The installation instructions say to remove the fixture from the ceiling, but this is not necessary.
 Cabin Bright FLED18R-X

Starlights Revolution T8-18

Howard http://lazypix.com
Re: Cabin Bright v. Starlights Revolution fluorescent replacements
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 152062
Thanks for this! We do a lot of boondocking and were wondering about the switch from fluorescent to LED. I did a search on Amazon and found what appears to be the same LED lights shipped directly from Cabin Bright for $20 less. Cabin Bright-12 Inch, 12 Volt X-Factor LED Fluorescent Tube Replacement *50% BRIGHTER* UPGRADED VERSION! (4100°K)
As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Re: Cabin Bright v. Starlights Revolution fluorescent replacements
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 152064
Curious as to which fixtures in which years/models of LDs use a 12" tube, OEM or LED replacement?

Joan
2003 TK has a new home
Re: Cabin Bright v. Starlights Revolution fluorescent replacements
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 152065
Excellent information, Howard. Just out of curiosity, what instrument(s) did you use to make your luminosity and color temperature measurements?

Andy Baird
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
 
Re: Cabin Bright v. Starlights Revolution fluorescent replacements
Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 152078
"what instrument(s) did you use to make your luminosity and color temperature measurements?"

I measure illuminance (lux) with a Gossen Ultra-Pro light meter.
 I measure color temperature with a DSLR set for raw format.  I photograph the light through a BRNO BaLens white balance lens cap.  I open the raw file in Adobe Camera Raw, click the white balance tool in the center, and read off the color temperature.  This also gives a green/magenta number on an arbitrary scale.  The Cabin Brights were -3, the Starlights +18, and the fluorescents +27, where negtive is magenta and positive is green.
 BaLens 72mm Snap Cap White Balance and Exposure System BAL72

Howard http://lazypix.com