PrudentRVer.com Offers
the zipLED Family of Configurable LEDs

PrudentRVer.com, a provider of LEDs for RVers and Boaters
for more than four years, offers
the configurable zipLED product feature for interior lighting

LIVINGSTON, TEXAS – Sam Penny, a.k.a. the Prudent RVer persona at www.prudentrver.com, spoke to a small rally of RVers above Truckee, CA, today. He described the essence of the zipLED(tm) product set from Neutek, USA, used to configure solutions for a variety of lighting requirements in RVs and Boats.

Penny explained, “zipLED components allow you to build LED replacements for most of the incandescent bulbs in lighting fixtures in RVs. You match the bulb base of the fixture, chose the level of lighting you need by selecting the number and nature of the zipLED LightSticks, and aim the light to shine from the fixture the direction you chose.”

The zipLED connectivity is provided by inserting the 2-lead, 24-guage solid wire pigtail from a LightStick into a pair of SIP (Single Inline Package) sockets on the base connector. “Printed directions are provided to show how to match the 12-volt and ground leads to the corresponding + and – SIP sockets on the connector,” Penny says. “You test if you matched the connections correctly by applying power. The LEDs will shine only if the connection is correct. And there is no danger from incorrect connections – the LEDs will not be damaged even if wired backwards.”

The zipLED family offers the three most common bases found on 12-volt incandescent bulbs.

The B15s.ZLX substitutes for the BA15s Single Contact Candelabra Bayonet found on the likes of the 1003, 1141, 1156, and 1295 incandescent bulbs.

The B15d.ZLX substitutes for the BA15d Double Contact Candelabra Bayonet base found on the 1004, 1056, and 1076 bulbs.

The W9.ZLX substitutes for the W2.1x9.5d wedge base found on the 906, 912, and 921 bulbs. Some applications benefit from an “expansion” of the base.

The ZLX.ZLX is like an extension cord, providing an array of remote SIP sockets eight inches away from the connecting base.

The LED lights in zipLEDs are mounted on what we call LightSticks. Three different zipLED LightSticks provide the versatility needed to meet a wide range of lighting requirements.

The most commonly used zipLED LightStick is the ZL3. This 0.5 by 1.5 inch printed circuit board holds three surface-mounted LED chips and voltage regulation circuitry to provide 60 lumens of natural white light using 0.07 amps (0.88 watts) at 12.5 volts. Its operating voltage is from 10 to 18 volts.

The newest and smallest in the zipLED family is the ZL1. This 0.5 by 0.5 inch printed circuit board holds a single surface-mounted LED chip and voltage regulation circuitry to provide 20 lumens of natural white light using 0.02 amps (0.25 watts) at 12.5 volts. Its operating voltage is from 10 to 18 volts.

The brightest zipLED is the ZLS. This 0.5 by 1.5 inch printed circuit board holds two surface-mounted Starion LED chips and power regulation circuitry. With an operating range of 10 to 30 volts, the ZLS provides 220 lumens of natural white light (3500 to 4500K color temperature). It uses 2.4 watts of power, or 0.2 amps at 12 volts.

To achieve its brightness, the ZLS LEDs run hot compared to other zipLEDs. The operating temperature of the ZLS is 130 degrees Fahrenheit. It is necessary that the pcb be thermally attached to its own 12 square inches of heat-sink metal for proper operation of the LED.

Bulb replacement kits from PrudentRVer.com come with a 3.5 by 3.5-inch metal sheet for mounting the zipLED LightSticks. Double-stick tape on the back of the pcb allows the zipLED LightSticks to be mounted in any position.

Penny continues, “These bulb replacements incorporate the knowledge we have gained over the last four years of how to build the best and most reliable 12-volt LED replacements for bulbs in the RV and boating industry, knowledge that is only just now becoming apparent to our competitors. That is why we fully expect the LEDs on our products to lose no more than 30% of their lumenosity over their 100,000 hour lifetime.”

Penny tells how he entered the LED business. “In February, 2006, I met Kelly Walterscheid from Neutek, USA, of Mesa, AZ, at Quartzsite. This company had the world's first original working prototype for a B15s bulb LED replacement, and while at the show he and I designed the first LED replacement for the wedge bulb on the spot -- the W9.RV3-H.

"I became a dealer for Neutek's LED lights, and in April gave Neutek the specifications for a halogen bulb replacement in puck lights. This proactive LED lamp manufacturer provided a prototype of the G4.RV3-H by mid-month. It took more than eighteen months for the 'knockoffs' from the Far East to start appearing on the scene – and they still don't understand the problem.”

It quickly became evident that one of the problems of putting LEDs into an RV was the wide variety of bulbs and fixtures found in the rigs. The requirements varied with the bulb base and the lighting requirements. The configurable zipLED family of products offers the flexibility to meet all those requirements.

ZipLEDs are available in packaged kits for specific replacements or applications, like the fLEDescent(tm) replacements for fluorescent fixtures. They are also available as individual components in bulk. Pricing for the zipLED bases range from $2.00 to $2.50 each retail. The retail price for a ZL1 is $5.50, for a ZL3 is $10.00, and for a ZLS is $25. Quantity discounts are available.

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Contact:

Sam Penny
phone: 512-632-4626
sam@prudentrver.com
    Penny is available for in-studio interviews or by phone.

Links for details and digital images can be found at: http://www.prudentrver.com/zipled.html

zipLED is a trademark of Neutek, USA, of Mesa, AZ
fLEDescent is a trademark of PrudentRVer.com