I'm not sure we're comparing the same things. If you look at lumens per watt, compact fluorescents are the most efficient, then LEDs, then incandescents. Both LEDs and fluorescents are more efficient than the stock incandescents. LEDs draw much less power than either in an equivalent size, but it's hard to get as much light output from LEDs. Many replacements for the 211 and 212  bulbs actually have several- maybe six or nine- LEDs in the housing.

Ed
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Loren Busch 
  To: Ed 
  Cc: vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com 
  Sent: Wednesday, June 28, 2006 11:44 PM
  Subject: Re: [VANAGON] 13 watt helical bulb in bus

   RE: "There are several companies that sell DC compact fluorescents, and you don't
  lose any efficiency with the inversion. These are also more efficnent than LEDs."

  I think you should check on whoever is making that claim.  The draw on LED's is very, very low.  The LED's I have (direct replacements) in the stock light over the storage cabinets in my Westy draw exactly 1/10th what the incandescents did, 25 ma vs 250 ma, measured at the fixture.  That's .025 x 12 = .3 watts vs. 8 watts for an equivalent fluorescent.