Compartment Lighting... February 17, 2012, 02:23:57 am Yahoo Message Number: 128635With age, my poor ole eyes just are not what they use to be... Anyhow, how hard or how easy would it be to install some 12 volt lighting in select "exterior" storage compartments? My LAZY DAZE is a 2010, 31' Island bed model. I am quite handy and very capable with tools and wiring, I just don't want to bruise my "honey". So I was wondering if folks could chime in and we could put our heads together on this one.Thanks a million... Mark n Keri from Cali....
Re: Compartment Lighting... Reply #1 – February 17, 2012, 11:38:23 am Yahoo Message Number: 128641QuoteWith age, my poor ole eyes just are not what they use to be... Anyhow, how hard or how easy would it be to install some 12 volt lighting in select "exterior" storage compartments? My LAZY DAZE is a 2010, 31' Island bed model. Some compartments may have wiring adjacent that will allow this, but battery-powered LED puck lights will do the job too. Whichever you use, it is important to also wire in switches activated by the compartment door to counteract forgetfulness. What I have found particularly useful is the small, round AA-cell operated fixtures that turn on by pushing the center of the light. I wire in a microswitch to disconnect the internal batteries when the door is closed, and the lights remain off next time the door is opened, until you push the light on again. The ones I have used have two levels of illumination, and pivot a small angle to change the direction of the light. They attach via velcro tape.Steve
Re: Compartment Lighting... Reply #2 – February 17, 2012, 12:50:44 pm Yahoo Message Number: 128643Here's another way to power a compartment light; I installed a 12 volt florescent fixture with its own (normally kept off) switch into a compartment, powered by a circuit energized only when the ignition key is "on" or "acc". I already had this switched wire going to the back for a camera, and spliced the compartment light power wire onto it. Makes it impossible to leave the compartment light burning except when the key is turned on. The tw
Re: Compartment Lighting... Reply #3 – February 17, 2012, 03:23:44 pm Yahoo Message Number: 128645Here's a tip that can help with some of the LED puck lights, in particular the Sylvania "Dot-It" brand. The lights have a relatively narrow beam, and when mounted in a cupboard or compartment that's only a foot or so high, the beam doesn't get a chance to spread very far, so the light may not be able to do a good job of illuminating the area. Solution: roughen the lens with fine sandpaper (240 grit or higher) to diffuse the light. This can really make a big difference in how well the compartment is lit.Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Re: Compartment Lighting... Reply #4 – February 17, 2012, 04:18:39 pm Yahoo Message Number: 128648"Here's a tip that can help with some of the LED puck lights, in particular the Sylvania "Dot-It" brand."My favorite tap light is Sylvania's Dragon light. It is very bright, activated with a wave of the hand and, best of all, shuts off automatically. It's a good choice for an exterior compartment. We have one mount under the medicine cabinet. Perfect for midnight bathroomruns- no switch to mess with and you can leave it for safely retracing yoursteps back to bed, knowing it will turn itself off. We get a year or more out of a set of batteries.http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Asylvania%20led%20dragon%20puck\ %20light%2072404&page=1> http://www.amazon.com/Sylvania-72422-Undercabinet-Motion-Function/dp/B0017QN2V0\> Reasonably priced when bought in a three pack.Larry As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Re: Compartment Lighting... Reply #5 – February 17, 2012, 05:02:08 pm Yahoo Message Number: 128649"My favorite tap light is Sylvania's Dragon light. It is very bright, activated with a wave of the hand and, best of all, shuts off automatically." Thanks for the tip, Larry! I just ordered a couple. I plan to mount one just inside the entry door, so it'll light up as soon as I enter the rig, even if I have my arms full of groceries.Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Re: Compartment Lighting... Reply #6 – February 18, 2012, 03:01:16 am Yahoo Message Number: 128652Wow! Thanks Larry, Im gonna order some. A simple solution to,
Re: Compartment Lighting... Reply #7 – February 21, 2012, 09:06:41 am Yahoo Message Number: 128700WOOHOO Larry, these are great ! ! I just ordered 6 of them. These will be great since I am prone to "crs" at my age.Oh and by the way, that means = "Can't Remember Sh**" lolThanks aga
Re: Compartment Lighting... Reply #8 – February 21, 2012, 09:14:43 am Yahoo Message Number: 128701I am wondering what all you folks are doing in the bins after dark.Is this some sort of lighting fetish?
Re: Compartment Lighting... Reply #9 – February 21, 2012, 11:08:50 am Yahoo Message Number: 128704Quote I am wondering what all you folks are doing in the bins after dark.Is this some sort of lighting fetish? I can't believe that you haven't experienced cocktail hour in the spacious outside storage bins of a 24' FD!Larry in Monument 2008 24' FD