Van lighting??

[sellers]

The nights are getting darker, so thought I'd get some lighting going on in the van. Then I thought, I have some 12v downlighters knocking around in the back of that thing.

So I thought of 4 down lighters shinning in from above the back doors at an angle pointing in. But then my idea started going downhill.

4x50w = 200w

200/12= 16.6A

How quickly is 16Amps going to flatten my battery??

Also where can i get a decent rated 1gang switch?

and I think I may have to wire it straight to the battery as theres nothing really in the back that can handle 16A.

 

[L-E_Fault]

You could finish work earlier, I try to get home before the street lights come on. HTH

 

[Andy™]

depends on battery capacity. i.e a 70AH battery will last 4.21* hours at 16.6A, but dont forget you still need power to get started again!

you can get twin 8w 12v light fittings. i have 3 in my van, and 1 i converted to LED (after PCB died).

MK grid switches are rated 20A

*well, not strictly ture, since capacity is based on a 20 hour discharge, so it would probably be flat before 4 hours

 

[sellers]

You've got me thinking now. Could put 5w LED lamps in each downlighter. Just not as good light output

 

[Andy™]

be aware that most 12V LED downlights are AC. it should work on DC since it would only have to be rectified anyway, but still something to be aware of

 

[Evans Electric]

Sellers, 4 X 50w in the back of a van is OTT. You'll find a couple of tail light bulbs will do it , or a brake light bulb, 40w I think.

 

[Andy™]

brake lights are 21W

 

[Dane]

Ive got some 12v lamps to fit Its just getting time to do it!

 

[Andy™]

maybe have a look at some caravan accessory places - they should have loads of 12V lighting

 

[Dane]

Be quick

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/12v-Fluorescent-Strip-Light-Tube-Car-Caravan-Van-NEW_W0QQitemZ110456475046QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item19b7b80da6#ht_2811wt_1165

Edit : Just noticed theres loads of them available lol, ive got a few of them but not fitted. But look good

 

[Andy™]

 

[batty]

My BT van has three halogen lights on ceiling I think they are 10 watt and give enough light to see what you are doing. I tend to switch them on only when I am in the back so have never had a problem with flat batteries although I have had an extra battery put on it as it always would not start when it was cold.

Batty

 

[Bez]

LED Light on yer head.

I always find mooching around in the van in the dark a pain. Wherever the van light is you end up casting a shadow on what you're searching for.

Either that or leave it till the morning.

 

[SPECIAL LOCATION]

[quote name='Andy

 

[Daninho]

How about these little beauties B-)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lifemax-Touch-Light-664-1t-Magnetic/dp/B0028ZDB38

No drain on the Van battery at all!

:coat

 

[ian932]

You could try these, I've got them on my narrowboat, but swapped the 20w capsules for 10w and they do the job. They come with 2.4m of silicone cable pre-wired

http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav.jsp?action=detail&fh_secondid=9279908&fh_view_size=150&fh_location=%2f%2fcatalog01%2fen_GB&fh_search=down+light&fh_eds=%C3%9F&fh_refview=search&ts=1258661063340&isSearch=true

 

[Andy™]

How about these little beauties B-)http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lifemax-Touch-Light-664-1t-Magnetic/dp/B0028ZDB38

No drain on the Van battery at all!

:coat

no point in stuff like that, easier to charge van battery than swap LED light batteries every few days

 

[KillerWatt]

Stick a couple of 12V florry's up......none of the directional issues you get with LED...and won't kill your battery like a downlighter will.