We at prudentrver.com have been talking about using fLEDescents to replace the tubes and ballasts in fluorescent fixtures for some time now. Basically, the idea is to strip the insides out of a fixture and use a metal plate in the cavity to hold different forms of 12-volt lightsticks. We offered the trusty LS3, the SLS3, and the ZLS lightsticks for varying levels of light.
This has always been a good solution, better than trying to stick a lightstrip to the top of the tube enclosure, but everyone noticed the light was coming from some very noticeable dots (the LED chips), visible even through the lens cover.
Recently Neutek-USA in Mesa provided us with their proprietary TL2R light strip, a flexible tape offering 480 lumens of Natural White LED light per foot with the regulation that allows it to run in an RV 12-volt environment. The light is provided by a 2 by 3 array of LED chips on 1/3-inch spacing. Each LED chip is a single emitter - 7 lumens in a spot rather than 21 lumens. The arrays are arranged on a flexible tape about 1/2 inch wide. Each array is an independent one inch segment of the tape, and the tape can be cut into lengths from one inch to five meters.
The tape is a highly efficient heat sink, and with the LEDs spread over the surface, there is no need for even more heat sink. Each inch of TL2R has a pair of proprietary independent voltage regulators that protect the LEDs over a 11 to 18 volts operating range, with spike protection to 30-volts. Each inch of TL2R provides 40 lumens of Natural White light using only 1/2-watt of power, or 0.04 amps at a nominal 12.5 volts.
We have dubbed the new product line to be made of MyT.Bright LEDs; the smaller LED chips are like Mighty Mouse and create a great new aura of light. We put one or two TL2R strips on the metal panel and call the product the MyT.fLEDescent.
Our standard offering is the MyT.fLED6 which is a six-inch long panel. The single strip option provides 240 lumens of light for $24 in an existing fluorescent fixture. Or you can use two panels with the double strip option for 960 lumens for $96 in a 12- or 18-inch fluorescent fixture.
With the variability of the length, we can build MyT.fLED-Custom panels any length you want (up to sixteen feet). Our most recent installations were two 36-inch panels of 2,880 lumens each in a ForeTravel motorcoach and a 68-inch strip of 2,720 lumens in a Dynasty.
Take a look at the MyT.fLEDescents at prudentrver.com today for the next alternative to fluorescents in your RV.
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