Basic and cheap 12 volt light set up for camper

[Jonnyb416]

Hi all, I am seeing the end to my camper restoration/build. Bodywork done, engine being rebuilt, interior build imminent.... Before the carpet and interior goes in I need to have a plan for lighting.

Is there a simple way for me to rig up such a thing? Any help on this greatly appreciated.

Please bear in mind I have a completely empty van here.
So I would like:
2 lights in the cab area in the recesses above the doors with the switch on drivers side.
4 lights in the main living/seating area, again, in the 4 recesses (2 above sliding door, 2 above nechtik unit) switch by the sliding door entrance (B pillar)
1 light in the rear for reading when in bed. (Head to rear door) switch nearby to actual light.
1 light in the hightop for the kids at night. Possibly on the cupboard front above the cab seats. Switch near to light.
Leisure battery under drivers seat.
Maybe use LED lights, not sure if I need to with such a basic set up. They seem a lot more expensive.

There is some old wiring for the courtesy lights but very worn with rusty connectors. Thinking of doing away with this. Father in law is competent with wiring but not sure on the set up.

I've done a bit of reading but lost myself with length/size of cable depending on watts etc.

Thanks, Jon.

[ghost123uk]

If your father in law is OK with wiring, what you have in mind should be pretty simple. Don't forget a fuse close to the battery end

LEDs are the way to go. If you shop around (Ebay and Amazon for instance) they are usually pretty cheap actually, most of them originating from China ( ). Best use a supplier based in the UK though to speed up delivery They last virtually for ever and use a lot less power. Watch out though for the "colour" of the white ones. They come in 2 types, "warm white" and "bright white". The bright white ones are quite harsh, but they have their place, whereas warm white offer a softer light, more likely to be placed where more of a warm glow is required (sleeping area).

You can get strips of them that fit in a diffuser unit, these come with a little remote control that can change the colour and even set a fast or slow fade through all the colours settings. I got my one of those for around £15 including the aluminium backed semi-opaque diffuser. Very easy to fit and to wire up See = This and This (that diffuser has gone up in price since I bought mine).

[ghost123uk]

p.s. = You can get LED bulbs to fit the standard front cab courtesy light fittings. They are cheap and a heck of a lot brighter than the standard bulb. If you do get them, note they will only work if fitted the right way round. They won't get damaged the other way round, they just won't light up. You can get brightly coloured ones to fit in the rear fitting too. I have a red one in mine

[Jonnyb416]

Thanks for that. I had seen set up meant for kitting out a modern day van with better lighting. It's either that or would something like this be any good? Could they be linked together and run off one switch but still have the option of turning on/off individually with the built in switch?

[Jonnyb416]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/White-GARAGE-WO ... led+lights" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[lefty67]

what you want is very similar to the set up I have, with the exception of lights up front, I have strip lights above sliding door, cooker and in the high top, two reading lights/spots in rear ,led puddle lights under sliding door and led strip light in wardrobe. Puddle lights, wardrope light and high top light run off separate switches. Also have an exterior 12v socket and 12v socket inside by sliding door and one by wardrobe. Also have three separate spots which are ehu only. Bit like Blackpool really! Didn't do it myself but can take some photos of wiring if you like or if your at bustypes your welcome to have a nosey

[Jonnyb416]

Unfortunately I'm not going to bustypes. A few photos will always help, thanks. Maybe of the fuse box and battery too please. Once I'm happy I've got the right lights and cable I'm going to run the wires in place. Can crack on with other stuff then.

[ghost123uk]

would something like this be any good? Could they be linked together and run off one switch but still have the option of turning on/off individually with the built in switch? http://www.amazon.co.uk/White-GARAGE-WO ... led+lights" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Yes, you could wire them up that way, but when the main switch is "off" they obviously will all be off.
Note those are the very harsh bright white LEDs. OK for use where you want a very bright white light of course.

[Jonnyb416]

Cheers. Yeah I saw that, if you have any links for something better please throw it my way. But no worries if not il find something.

Just seen on another thread about a website called switchpanel and they have a belting wiring diagram that makes things a lot clearer to me. Even easier as I'm only really putting in lights and the odd 12 volt socket and USB.

[lefty67]

Unfortunately I'm not going to bustypes. A few photos will always help, thanks. Maybe of the fuse box and battery too please. Once I'm happy I've got the right lights and cable I'm going to run the wires in place. Can crack on with other stuff then.

Will try and post some later if I get chance . If not will have to be Sunday

[Jonnyb416]

Sunday is fine pal. No big rush.

[CJH]

These are quite good LED lights - they're slim and they mount on the surface, requiring only a small hole behind for the wire, and they're 12V. They're a 'warm' white and quite bright. I used 6 in the headlining above my rear seat, and they light the whole van up.

[Jonnyb416]

They are pretty good. When sat in your camper would you have just those lights on? Enough to light up around the cooking area? Or better for when sat in the bed seat?

[NicBeeee]

I was in the Coventry Decathlon store to waste some time (playing with the swingball, archery, table tennis etc) when I saw these

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/C-529853-cam ... d-lanterns" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

and wondered why I bothered with all the fussy wiring and big heavy leisure battery (as I dont bring any other gadgetry with me) , much more versatile as you can set them up outside for those nice evenings and hang them back in the van when done.

[Jonnyb416]

and wondered why I bothered with all the fussy wiring and big heavy leisure battery (as I dont bring any other gadgetry with me) , much more versatile as you can set them up outside for those nice evenings and hang them back in the van when done.

That had crossed my mind but during the last 10-15 years of camping in tents one of my main frustrations was not being able to find stuff due to poor light. With 2 messy kids and a useless misses I'm looking forward to the luxury of light. Not doing the whole built in cooker and sink thing though