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zingaro:
I would like info on a 12v incadecent altertnative such as an led for use in an rv.

Im trying to conserve the life of the battery. Is an alternative such as led cost effective and efficient to warrant use? Thanks

sh123469:
From what I have read, LED lighting isn't much more efficient than incandescent for the same light output.  They also do tend to be pretty directional, necessitating use of diffusers.
A CF 12v lamp would give much more light for the same amount of power consumed.  You can get them from the Dans that run this board.

Steve

Joel:
For general lighting, sh123469 is correct.  Your best bet would probably be 12 vdc compact florescent.  Although LEDs have their advantages - long life, temperature tollerant, hazmat suitable, low heat - they are best suited for directional lighting like spot lights or specialty automotive signal lights.

nothing to lose:
I thought I posted this before, but don't see it, maybe it was a different post I was replying too or again I lost one! I think it might be Inverter fans come to think of it.
 For small lighting needs at a low cost you might want to try Cold Cathode lights like for computer cases. They come in all kinds of colors including plain white. Though I never tried the whites, my 12" red puts out alot of light, and the UV ones are pretty cool too. I've had some of the various colors.
Nice things about those are they are already 12v ready, cheap, practically no heat (lower temps than flouresents I think) and not fragil, also light wieght and I think low power usage (though I never acually checked it). Kinda hard to break one without actually trying to unless you pull a wire loose!
 I looked just now and the extra tubes were around $3 each, the kits with inverter and one tube plus wiring and switch was around $5, one inverter will power 2 tubes, so for a 2 light set your looking at about $8. I buy all this type stuff from Bestbyte.net and have been happy with everything I have bought and the service. Flat rate $5 shipping for normall stuff, large items like cases or monitors might be more, but all I ever buy there are fans, lights and other small custom type items.
http://www.bestbyte.net/Product.cfm?ProductID=866&CategoryID=28&Keyword=
I am not affilated with them in anyway, just a happy customer!

That should take you to the white kits. All my color kits came with a boxed inverter and looks different than the one in the picture shown, the title does say boxed inverter though and 2 light capable which is what I do have and like.
Rather these are better than a 12v floresent not sure, probably alot less expensive and I do like them much better than any LEDS I have played with as far as actuall lighting. I like Leds for some things and have a 100 or more laying around not yet used :)
For flashlights I take recharable halogens, the big fat ones with UPS type batteries inside and mod them to LEDs. With the halogen bulb the battery lasts maybe 20-30 minutes, with LED I never had one go dead yet, but I do get alot less light too.

 I use the LED ones for general walking around in the dark, use the halogen ones for spotlighting to see if that's a skunk or opossum scrathing in the distance!!
For the cost of my Leds and the amount of light 12 make I would think the cathode kits will make more light for less money than LED, as far as power used for an equal amount of light that I am not sure about. I never strung that many leds together yet!!

ghurd:
For lighting a whole room, the CFLs always win. I like the cold cathodes too, but don't see much difference in the 2, have not used too many.
For a tiny amount of light, the LEDs will win. If you just need to see to get down the hall to the bathroom, 0.010 amps will do it. A little reading light on the bed, 0.040 amps will do it. That is with good LEDs, not the ones from the store in the mall.  The batteries go dead from sitting faster than running a small LED light all night, every night.
Big light- CFL.

Little light- LEDs
G-

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