Extra Lighting (1 Viewer)

[paul18]

Hi Guys, how difficult would it be to wire in a couple of extra 12v interior reading lights?

 

[hilldweller]

On a scale of 1 to 10 ---- 0.

Well it depends. Routing the wires neatly is an art and luck is involved. Usually there are enough cupboards to hide them.

Current wise, a non-problem, modern LEDs take so little current you can splice into any 12V you can find.

 

[paul18]

Sounds simple, bet it isnt. Lol

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[hilldweller]

Find a 12V feed is stage 1. This could be the leisure battery or another light. Then plan a route to your required new light location/s.

If wired off another light you can just join the two wires ( it will already be fused ), if going to the leisure battery then fit a 5A fuse right next to the battery +. The type of flexible wire you see on mains lamp will do or even similar sized loudspeaker wire.

 

[paul18]

As I understand it then, If I find a 12V outlet I can splice into it using scotch blocks, red to red and black with LEDs. I want 2 extra lights, can I daisy chain them on?

 

[andy63]

As I understand it then, If I find a 12V outlet I can splice into it using scotch blocks, red to red and black with LEDs. I want 2 extra lights, can I daisy chain them on?

That's should do....as Brian mentioned above if you are not coming off an existing lighting circuit ( sounds like you might be considering a 12v socket feed )then a fuse would be best fitted...
I hate those scotch lock connectors...I'd splice in with a soldered connection or use a different connector..but that's just me
Ta andy

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[paul18]

No, not a socket feed, there is a reading light by off side window, from which I can spur along to swivelling cab seats, where I want a reading light above each as its a bit dark that end

 

[rosalan]

I would also like to extend my 12v lighting and fit a strip of LED lights above some cupboards, but what current would a metre strip consume? Would it be anything like the old quartz halogen consumption if the strip has around 20 LEDs?

 

[Gellyneck]

Can you not connect the new cable to the +ve and -ve connections on the existing light fitting and run to required position?

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[Bailey58]

I needed an extra ceiling light at the front of the lounge in the Bailey where it was dark in, well, in the dark. Accessed the spotlights at the front of the cab and fed off there but the real difficult bit was feeding the wire across and above the ceiling, I forgot about the near solid poly insulation and near impossibility of pushing a feed through from the inaccessible corner. Swallowed twice then cut the hole in the ceiling and fed a probe through from there to the corner. Only took a day and a lot of swearing.

 

[andy63]

Would it be anything like the old quartz halogen consumption if the strip has around 20 LEDs

Nothing like the current draw....I checked a 5m strip of led's a little while back and the current draw was a max of around 1.25A with the whole strip lit. That's just an example other types may vary but lot less than the halogen for the equivalent light..
Ta Andy.

 

[hilldweller]

Would it be anything like the old quartz halogen consumption if the strip has around 20 LEDs?

Good god no, you can almost totally ignore the current. I'd guess at less then 0.25A.

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[Old Soldier]

Hi
All my external lighting has LED equivalent light units and very good they are. I also fitted some LED strip lighting to Elle last year as mood lighting. Still working well. As you can see, they give a choice of background colours. No good for reading etc but great for watching telly or warming the atmosphire on a gloomy evening.

 

[paul18]

Shagadelic baby!

 

[bjandlin]

Scotch blocks ?? Oh no, not those. A nice solder join is so much better.
Barrie.

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[Lenny HB]

Can you not connect the new cable to the +ve and -ve connections on the existing light fitting and run to required position?

Standard wiring is +blue, -white (brown in Hymers) or any colour the manufacturer decides to use.

Do check the polarity with a meter before connecting.

 

[paul18]

Done it, it was easy. Just routing cables a bit fiddly. Thanks for the advice