Help with new interior lights

[pjjones00]

I am planning to fit new interior lights inside my westy. Will probably replace the old ones with round led lights. similar to these http://www.impactlighting.com/home/inde ... p&catid=31" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. I plan to fit an extra two more. What sort of rated cable should i use? should i replace the existing cable that is already in place. Mine is a german import and has a red and brown cable!!! should i wire it up the same as it is now?

[ninja.turtle007]

I'm no expert but those lights run off 240v and the voltage is ruduced to 12v by a transformer. Your current lights in you westy are 8w and these are 50w. If you want to run these off you battery it will go flat in no time.

Tom

[1664]

What he said ^^^
Those are extra low voltage tungsten halogen spots not LEDs. LED lights are very low power consumption (less than the standard 8W single or 16W twin fluorescent strip type). Don't fit them.

[CovKid]

Look in B&Q at deck lights - most use 12v transformers which in your case would be redundant but a set is generally about £30 for ten lights. Alternative is buy a job lot of 12v LEDS from ebay (resistor already fitted) which you'll need to wire up yourself). You can find LED versions for concentrated light (ie for reading) and you can also buy them fitted inside a flexible rubber strip (again ebay - look for LED strips).

[pjjones00]

Thanks a lot for your help. I will not use those i have came across these http://www.rainbowconversions.co.uk/Equ ... ghting.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
can i put these straight in without any problems? product code mcl20

If i wanted to fit extra down lights i.e behind the rear seat can i just copy the wiring that is already there and run them from the battery using a low power light?

[1664]

Much better. Just fitting it in the rear above the bed? Should just attach to existing wiring - watch the polarity. The reason I ask where you're fitting it/them is that LEDs project a very 'direct' light like a torch (unlike fluorescents that 'diffuse' the light over a general area) so whilst they would be ok for over the bed they may not be ideal for the general living area; just a thought.

If you are considering fitting them throughout the van, I'd start by buying one and temporarily connecting it to a battery and holding it in various positions in the van at night to see exactly what spead of light they give and if there is any potential 'glare' issues for any occupants.

I prefer fluorescents myself

[pjjones00]

Thanks for the advice very helpful.

I have a high top with two car interior lights on either side and plan to just replace those with the discussed in last post. Will probably put one in the top sleeping compartment too.

The ones above the seat will be adjustable so i can move it around eye ball type for reading etc.

Sound ok?

[1664]

Sound ok?

entirely up to you really - like I say, I prefer fluorescents.

I'd still start with one and experiment a bit just to be sure.

[callanish]

Hi
When i bought my westie i thought about replacing the flourescents but likes been said before they give a real good general lighting the only addition i made was to add a low voltage (12v) surface fitting halogen lamp above the head end of the bed (got it from b &q for about £8) which i power from a portable 12v power pack kept in a cupboard.
Led lamps are also give a very harsh sort of light which i personally dont like, but each to their own.

Have fun

Andrew