Reddit mentions: The best rv lighting

The one I'm seeing has a maximum draw of 5V and I figured 10 hours of use was also a maximum, so we're definitely assuming maximum usage here and worst-case scenario. But definitely possible that we use much much less energy.

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4 amp is 8 LED lights running together at full brightness for full 4 hours, so again, a maximum. These are the ones I was looking at X2. I can reduce from 16 to 8 (obviously another maximum) but wanted to look at putting them in different layouts for different use cases (lower ones for just floor use late at night, upper ones for natural light, front ones for cab use only and then extras if needed, but honestly don't need nearly that many).

Just the fan and lights are 66Ah together, so those really wouldn't need much, possibly even just one battery if we went with one set of lights and normal use of the fan. We are definitely going for extreme comfort in this case since it's just a vacation van.


The inverter came with the vehicle and currently only runs when the car runs. It is nice to have to charge devices while we drive, so we intend on keeping that. I'd like at least SOMETHING for when the vehicle isn't running, so I guess I'm curious what the smallest setup would be that's still reasonably cheap and reliable for maybe a few things? I know I can limit my useage down to absolutely nothing, but that's not what I'm aiming for.

Yep. My Astro came with both dome and map lights, and while I did also swap a dome or two to LED, it's the map lights I swapped and use overnight... just one or two. The van dims them after around 30 mins, and will shut them off after a few hours, but that just means i have to double-tap the button in the morning to turn it off before turning it on, or if I'm still sitting there farting around on the computer, I actually use it as a bit of a timer to tell me to go to sleep.

But a single LED draws such a small amount of power, it's not enough to worry about overnight. 3 nights in a row, I'd crank and run the van in between, ensuring a full charge before final overnight shutdown, etc, but think of the LED status light on your phone or phone charger or GPS charger, that stays on 24/7 because you never unplug it, and only have an issue if you leave the vehicle off for over a week or something. It's the same kinda light, and they don't need much if you don't need much light.

With that said, if you want to be able to work on the van with their light, or have appropriate desk lighting for work, or kitchen lighting for cooking, you'll want something brighter; I like these ones on a dimmer for actual renovated lighting. But for just chilling in there by myself reading or gaming, an LED-swapped OEM map light is plenty for seeing what's in front of me and navigating to the driver's seat or door or whatever. The thing to mind is that by turning on whatever light you're using that you've swapped to LED, you're not still running 5-10 incandescents that are part of the courtesy lighting package or something (like if I did my domes instead of individual map lights).

Are all your lights LED?

I have a 1996 model 30'. So I bought nice pack of 20 pack of ledto replace all the stock lamps. Was awhile ago, but I think I rememeber see how all 20 of those LED's drew as much as 1.5 of the stock lamps. Even if it's not THE problem, it certainly helps, regardless of there being a problem in the first place.

I've been a licensed electrician for 15 years. Always good time chasing down a little issue. Atleast the big ones are obvious, they blow fuses/trip breakers. Little parasitic ones are such a pain.

Good luck man.

Something like this dimmer switch might work? Would be a fun rabbit hole to fall down.

[Edit]
So I tracked down the power to the dash lights (cluster etc). Its fuse #6 in the fuse box on the passenger side interior. Could tap right into that and run the dimmer up to the dash for easy access. I've saved it to a wishlist but have bigger fish to fry atm. Cheers!

I am only speculating that your cabin is using 12v DC. Really depends on the size of the boat, bigger boats will have different electrical setups. If you have a volt meter you can see what sort of power is coming off of those wires. However, going of the assumption that really IS 12v you will need a power inverter similar to this. This needs to be turned on and off however, if left on it will drain the battery. I would recommend first grabbing a cheap volt meter and verify what voltage is coming from those wires, then basing your decision on that. If it is 12v DC you should look online for a light that is compatible. Maybe even something like this.

Note: I am not an electrical expert, I just have experience installing 12v lights and accessories in cars and some boats. Hope that helps!

I used [these] (http://www.amazon.com/Gold-Stars-11568302-Replacement-Natural/dp/B00BSGLBQW) from Amazon. $3.58 each when you buy 12. They've worked great. A year ago, I swapped every bulb on my boat (nine) and used the last three on my RV. I've had one burn out and I bought six more. I'm very happy with them.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B012ZOI44C/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

These are awesome, fairly bright and a nice warm color, low power draw too.

What about Neodymium magnets? we use them all over our van to hold stuff.

Hey. Ncie vid! I am also in Canada, have you ever tried some of the leds on Amazon ?? something like this http://www.amazon.ca/AUTO-Interior-Exterior-REPLACEMENT-Dashboard/dp/B00ZPMVKD4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1452958443&sr=8-1&keywords=t10+194+wedge ??

Also, i watched you Invidia muffler vid, how did you set up your dash display? The 3 circles things ? Curious !

Thanks

Here you go!

RV Boat Recessed Ceiling Light 4 Pack Acegoo Super Slim LED Panel Light DC 12V 3W Full Aluminum Downlights, Warm White (Silver) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B012ZOI44C/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_tfOQybKENJ2DE

Right - I get you now. These look like a good alternative then, 12v @ 3.8 w x 4 = 15.2

https://www.amazon.ca/Dream-Lighting-4-5inch-Interior-Lights-Dimmable/dp/B00ODSB42I/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1519768405&sr=8-8&keywords=12v+LED

Yeah Trail Tech is solid and can give you the important gauges. Wire it into your lights and you don’t even need a battery.

For the lights, get the 12v coil from Treats and replace your incandescent bulbs with these, which plug right into your fixtures:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B071V2DBWP?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

Buddy of mine got this for his GTI and I really liked it. This’ll probably be what I go with, way cheaper and has all the color changing magic you’d want

I am using these round flush mount LED fixtures. I have seen numerous other builds with them as well. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B012ZOI44C/ref=ya_aw_oh_bia_dp?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I am also using some warm led strip and red led strip in a few places

I shopped endlessly for one before I gave up and decided to make my own.

Get a small piece of sheet metal and find some switches that you like, then make your own! There were some small sheets of brass and such at my local ACE Hardware, probably also at home depot, and I bought some brass from Amazon and eBay for my project as well.

I drilled some holes in my brass plate for some toggle switches that i really like, added a couple of LED indicators on things that I don't want to forget (propane valve open, wifi system running), and some LED dimmer knobs for my lights. It takes extra time to cut and drill your metal plate, then grind off the sharp edges with a dremel, but you'll get result that you like.

(tip: if you are trying to drill into sheet metal, clamp it to a wood block first or your holes will warp - the bit frequently catches the edge as it goes through at the very end. Some of mine turned out a little rough as I was figuring things out)

These are the ones for the upper part of the gauge cluster in the 96-98 ZJ. The lower part with the check engine lights and stuff are smaller but I have not replaced them yet.

http://www.amazon.com/2825-5-SMD-Blue-Lights-Bulb/dp/B00HYJYE70

Edit- I think all the ZJs, XJs, and WJs use the same bulbs, but I recommend double checking first.

Gold Stars 92111802 Natural White LED Replacement Light Bulb (921/T15 Wedge base 120 Lumens 12v or 24v) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01D9JYFMW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_PrcVzb0K645AY

Your motor may not like PWM. Try a regular DC dimmer instead, like [this] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01C4UBMW8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_ykmRzbCRCQ4WH).

There are several lights out there that can be dimmed. Baja Designs (12m,30s) lights can be dimmed to 50%, and MTN LITEbar has several modes as well.

You could also probably use one of these or similar, but they might, or might not work.

From the details "DO NOT Use With AC 120V Or AC 240V - This Is A Bulb Designed For Low Voltage DC 12V to DC 20V"
So yes you can run directly off of 12V battery.

I was originally going to say no as the bulb end looks like a 120v bulb and usually LED bulbs like that have their own 120AC to DC converter built in but this one doesn't.

I put one of these https://www.amazon.com/Kohree-Ceiling-Interior-Lighting-Trailer/dp/B01L8CW9R0
in my power shed connected directly to my 12v system so I have lighting to work on my inverter system without needing it to be running. Its the exact same thing except the one you suggested will need a base to screw into where as this one just has wire leads.

If by bulb holder you mean a standard screw-type socket, then these bulbs and this bulb look reasonable (although the Amazon reviews for the second link aren't particularly amazing).

I purchased the panels from Nglantz and son's sign shop, they have a warehouse in my area so I just drove over and purchased it there. website is www.nglantz.com

The 12v reading lights were found on amazon, but purchased on ebay because it was 5$ cheaper per light http://www.amazon.com/Green-LongLife-9090111-Reading-Fixture/dp/B00D225BXO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=undefined&sr=8-2&keywords=green+longlife+rv+nickel

https://www.amazon.com/acegoo-Recessed-Ceiling-Aluminum-Downlights/dp/B012ZOI44C?th=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B012ZOI3ZW/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Here are all the LEDs I've bought so far. I have had 0 issues with any of them

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These are the lights here https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07R6NJ5M9/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_u91MDbNZ21SAT

I've got 4 lighting areas on the bus, living room, kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom. Each section will be independently controlled by an arduino mega through a relay module. 4 in the living room, 4 in the kitchen, 2 in the bathroom, and 2 in the bedroom

Currently, the wire ends are all twisted together and Hooked up to a car jump starter to give me light until I can finish the Ac electrical system.