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240v Strip light
Posted: 12 Jun 2012, 10:29
by Ralph_Porter
Hi,
Hatched up a plan to fit a 240v strip light into my T25 Autosleeper Trident as all the lights run from the 12v and I have no leisure battery. I figured if I buy a strip light that is self switching I can simply piggy back it from the back of the 240v socket so it's always live when the hookup is connected, is there anything wrong with doing that? I'm not particularly wiring savvy...
Thanks
Ralph.
Re: 240v Strip light
Posted: 12 Jun 2012, 10:55
by ghost123uk
You could do but why would you want it "on" all the time you are hooked up ?
If I was in that position I would just fit a leisure battery and a smart charger that is connected to the hook up. That way you can use your 12 volt lights as nature intended. If money is tight, you could just fit a 12 volt power supply (like the ones you can buy to use a CB radio in the house) and plug that into the 240 Volt outlet and power all the 12 volt accessories from that.
If you need any help re the wiring, just ask, it's my job, and we don't want you to burn anything out !
Re: 240v Strip light
Posted: 12 Jun 2012, 13:35
by Ralph_Porter
Sorry I meant live all the time not actually on all the time - the light I'd picked out has a switch on the unit itself you see, just thought it would be a simple and neat way to preserve my battery whilst on hookup.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ETERNA-D-093- ... 0865929359
Re: 240v Strip light
Posted: 12 Jun 2012, 15:25
by SMartin
I'd be more tempted by led lighting and a good smart charger as has been suggested. The draw from led's is so little your leisure battery will remain pretty well topped up. You'll also be less dependent on a hook-up for lighting which is no bad thing.
I'm currently weening myself from mains power, once I pick up my propex in the morning I should have all I need

Re: 240v Strip light
Posted: 12 Jun 2012, 16:00
by Ralph_Porter
Trouble is I don't have a leisure battery you see and was trying to avoid fitting one, I already have the 12v strip lights of course but I'm not sure how much I can actually use those without flattening the starter battery.
Re: 240v Strip light
Posted: 12 Jun 2012, 16:28
by Johnsteuk
Ralph_Porter wrote:Trouble is I don't have a leisure battery you see and was trying to avoid fitting one, I already have the 12v strip lights of course but I'm not sure how much I can actually use those without flattening the starter battery.
You could fit a smart charger so it keeps the starter battery topped up whilst your on 240 hook up and using the 12v lights
I have just replaced my 12v strip lights with these
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/270755770531" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
simple job, they run stright off 12v no resisters required, remove old tube, disconnect transformer and wire LED's in to the feed from your light switch
https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.p ... start=2535" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
the leds come as a flexible strip so i cable tied them to a 10mm piece of batton to keep them straight, then mounted the lot in the existing light fitting. Also if for any reason I want to change back to strip lights the wiring hasn't been changed or cut so its a 5 min swap
john
Re: 240v Strip light
Posted: 12 Jun 2012, 16:35
by ade700
if you are going to come off a socket you will need to fit a fused connection point to drop from the 16 amp that comes from the site to about 3amp for the light if thats makes sense

Re: 240v Strip light
Posted: 13 Jun 2012, 07:47
by Ralph_Porter
So what does fitting a Smart Charger entail please and can anyone recommend one? Ta
Re: 240v Strip light
Posted: 13 Jun 2012, 08:18
by ghost123uk
Ralph_Porter wrote:So what does fitting a Smart Charger entail please and can anyone recommend one? Ta
You plug it into any 240 volt mains socket and connect it to the battery :simples:
Aldi often have good deals on them = not at all expensive these days
p.s. = this looks like a good deal on ebay =
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SMART-12V-BAT ... 53ecbe9a75
or on Amazon =
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fully-Automatic ... B005EM8HUY
You could take the croc clips off and connect "properly" to the terminals for improved safety
(Sorry Rob

)