Interior Lights

Post by **kathyshack** » 05 Feb 2007, 20:01

What lights do you have inside your van?
We're redoing ours up as i'm sure some of you know. I like the spot lights, but my roof is already lined etc, so i think that might be too difficult to do. The internal light we have which runs of hookup is a strip light thing, but is too bright. It also seems to get quite hot too. We have a 12v one which we use most of the time, but i'm thinking there must be some cool options in terms of lighting....
any ideas?

Post by **Ivor Brownun** » 05 Feb 2007, 20:36

ours has 2 of the 12volt strip lights , most of the time we only need to use 1, they're not as bright as the 240v ones. It also has 2 swivel small 12v spot lights over the r nr bed, they get hot tho, burnt myself loads.

Post by **kevtherev** » 05 Feb 2007, 21:23

have a look on Cak tanks their lights are cool

Post by **justbuggin** » 06 Feb 2007, 09:06

I'm about to do ours and I'm going to use flush fit LEDs, like the packs of 10 stainless ones that the likes of B&Q sell

Post by **mininut** » 06 Feb 2007, 23:29

Ours has got the usual strip lights (2 off) and a spot light above the rear seat/bed. Also got a string of white 12v chrissy tree lights from JK which are great when your just chillin'

Post by **gsmoke** » 07 Feb 2007, 12:57

My striplights were too bright and gave a harsh 'operating room' vibe. I went to the local craft shop and bought yellow glass paint and painted the inside of the plastic diffuser. One coat was good but two was perfect. Theres all sorts of colours available and the paint dosent show any runs through the plastic. Looks Kool(ish) Total cost 98p

Post by **Louey** » 07 Feb 2007, 13:22

I want to replace my strip lights and use LEDs - they are brighter and use a so much less leccy, let that battery last a bit more

Post by **Ivor Brownun** » 07 Feb 2007, 17:55

When you think about it lighting has changed a lot in the 15 to 27 years since these vans were originally converted

Post by **kathyshack** » 07 Feb 2007, 18:01

if you're using led's, what kind of thing do you mean? those fanct spots sunk into the roof?

Post by **Stefvan** » 07 Feb 2007, 20:29

Why not fit your existing fixtures with LED replacement bulbs/tubes see UltraLeds

Stefvan

Post by **DiscoDave** » 07 Feb 2007, 20:46

led is the way to go! if you are popping to dubfreeze for the day make sure you come and have agander at ours! have/am putting in all leds - no flourescents or fillaments! have got spots in the ceiling and strips above the sink and cooker!

they use a lot less power, and of course don't give off anywhere as much heat!

you can get a surface mounted spotlight (if that makes sense) that has leds, ikea is a good place to look!

like these

the ones that cak do are nice but damn expencive!!

hope the renovation is going well!

Post by **Ivor Brownun** » 07 Feb 2007, 21:09

i know you can get dimable 12v, can you get dimable led?

Post by **kathyshack** » 08 Feb 2007, 09:20

from ikea "Light diodes are not replaceable; diode life approx. 50,000 hours."

does that mean once they go thats it? new fittings required?

Also, surface mouted ones, does that mean they just screw onto surface, and you just put the wires neatly externally? do they get wired up, or just plug in?

I've also seen in B&Q some 12 v lights but they have plaug on them so they can be plugged into mains. Am I right in thinking that these can have the plug chopped off and wired up to the leisure battery?

This electrical stuff is quite complicated to me, who knows nothign aout it all, so sorry if these questions seem daft to you!

I'd quite like some softer lighting than what is already there really. I did have the jk fairy lights but the wires a bit dodgy and they keep going off. Tried a few sets now and all the same, so thinking if i can put somethign else in permanantly then it would be better....
do led lights still come in wattages?
Also, when shopping fo rlights in a camper, should they be outside ones / bathroom/kitchen ones in case of moisture?

Would these be suitable? quit elike the idea of coloured light. he he

Post by **kathyshack** » 08 Feb 2007, 09:26

DiscoDave wrote:
hope the renovation is going well!

van currently looks like this

nice new swivel porsche seats (Thanks steve 80-90 for you help with fitting!) and the devon cooker i'm going to get fitted into new cupboards.

struggling finding the time to do it really, with little summer, so we've booked it in at the Timbertechs to be finished off. Taking it down in a couple of weeks or so, so can't wait! Will be a much better finish than we could ever do too! Just been made redundant, so may aswell spend it on someat useful! he he Just need to decide exactly what i'm doing in terms of lights etc before it all starts.

Post by **DiscoDave** » 08 Feb 2007, 18:30

kathyshack wrote:from ikea "Light diodes are not replaceable; diode life approx. 50,000 hours." six years constantly on!

does that mean once they go thats it? new fittings required? yes
Also, surface mouted ones, does that mean they just screw onto surface, and you just put the wires neatly externally? do they get wired up, or just plug in? the fitting itself has a pattress and the wires can go up through the base into whatever is behind it and from there to your switch, no need for surface wiring!

I've also seen in B&Q some 12 v lights but they have plaug on them so they can be plugged into mains. Am I right in thinking that these can have the plug chopped off and wired up to the leisure battery? the plug will go to a transformer, you'll need to chop this off and wire the lights directly to your switch/battery

This electrical stuff is quite complicated to me, who knows nothign aout it all, so sorry if these questions seem daft to you! you know where i am

I'd quite like some softer lighting than what is already there really. I did have the jk fairy lights but the wires a bit dodgy and they keep going off. Tried a few sets now and all the same, so thinking if i can put somethign else in permanantly then it would be better....
do led lights still come in wattages? they have a wattage and an equivalant wattage, the wattage is how much power it uses, and the equivalent is how bright it is.

Also, when shopping fo rlights in a camper, should they be outside ones / bathroom/kitchen ones in case of moisture? no it's 12v, and you won't be having a bath or shower in it! regulations for bathrooms/kitchens don't apply to campers

Would these be suitable? quit elike the idea of coloured light. he he

yes very suitable in fact i have put some of these in ours and plan to get some more when i'm feeling brave enough to go near the place! i'll have a go at some pics later! again come with a plug that you put in the bin!