LED Light issues

[edsmax]

I have been converting my boat lights to LEDS and have run into issue with the interior cabin lights. There originaly were type 1141 bulbs in there. When I went online, this converted to a 1156 (single connector on the bottom). I bought the same type base from superbrightleds and the new bulbs fit perfectly in the fixtures but none of them come on. WTF? They are 12v, etc. Somewhat confused. Anyone else run into this?

 

[Ruff Life]

I suspect that there is no problem with the new LED's. LED lights need to be wired with the correct polarity, reversed wiring will not hurt them they will just not light up. Swap the wires going in to the fixture and you should be good to go. I just replaced every bulb in my boat with LED's and am very happy with the end results.

 

[CliffA]

I suspect that there is no problem with the new LED's. LED lights need to be wired with the correct polarity, reversed wiring will not hurt them they will just not light up. Swap the wires going in to the fixture and you should be good to go. I just replaced every bulb in my boat with LED's and am very happy with the end results.

i learned the same lesson when i replaced my gauge lights with LED bulbs....after all the bulbs were installed in the gauges some of the bulbs worked and some did not...when i moved a bulb that was working to a gauge that was not working the 'good' bulb would not work either...i finally thought that the bulbs could be sensitive to polarity or 'flow direction' of the power and tried simply turning the bulbs around in the socket....all LED bulbs then worked fine...i believe all diodes are sensitive to the the flow direction of electricity to work properly...

cliff

 

[edsmax]

I wish it were that simple. I put the bulbs in both ways and nothing at all. I suppose I could try cutting the wires and swapping them but that would be a somewhat PITA job. Its strange - all my other LEDS worked, deck, etc except these stupid interior light fixtures.

 

[CliffA]

I wish it were that simple. I put the bulbs in both ways and nothing at all. I suppose I could try cutting the wires and swapping them but that would be a somewhat PITA job. Its strange - all my other LEDS worked, deck, etc except these stupid interior light fixtures.

did you try reinstalling the original bulbs just to rule out an issue with the light switch and/or the light wiring?

cliff

 

[JimG]

You will have to swap the wires... spinning a single contact base bulb does nothing.

Another option: There are some LED bulbs with a built in power supply that are not polarity sensitive.

 

[edsmax]

did you try reinstalling the original bulbs just to rule out an issue with the light switch and/or the light wiring?

cliff

Yes, all my original 1141 bulbs work and all housings work.

 

[edsmax]

UGH, thanks - just looks like a PITA to do. It is all original wiring, connectors, etc. I am going to the boat tonight so I may try to reverse the wires on one, assess the situation and see if that does the trick.

 

[edsmax]

Last night I reversed polarity in a couple of the fixtures and still nothing. Bulbs are going back!