Lighting

I am the first to admit that I am afraid of the dark. I don't like it. It's scary. There are nasty things like werewolves, monsters and scary tax collectors out there. So lighting is a nice thing to have. I have no less than twelve 12 volt interior lights fitted in the hippie campervan. Yes, 12! and that does not include the four torches I have and the two 240 volt fluro bar lights. Lighting falls into 4 types.

There are five 12 volt, 21 LED MR16 lights. Three of these face down and are located over the sink, desk and bed. Two face forwards as area lighting. I have found these globes to be pretty dim though. In addition they have not lasted as long as the adds said they would. Some have had less than 100 hour usage and some of the LEDs have already burned out. Others have some LEDs that were always dim to start with. They do use very little power though. They don't provide enough light to light the campervan well at night. They would though serve well as spot lights to be used when lighting a task, or for reading a book in bed at night.

Two 12 volt, 30 LED bar lights. These things rock. They produce heaps of light, so much so that you can't stare directly in to them for long. They each cost just $40 and come in a rechargeable unit that can be hand held, detached, hung from a built in hook or attached by a detachable magnetic hook. Plus they come with a 1 year guarantee. These have to be one of the best buys I ever made. I can plug them in and use them as conventional lights, or I can stick them in any of the five positions I have prepared for them in ceiling mounts. I can unplug them for a midnight toilet walk, or magnetically attach them to the outside of the campervan under the awning.

Two 12 volt fluro lights. These were the original lighting that came when the previous owner brought this campervan. One above the front of the living area, and one above the bed. Not much in the way of lighting. They do adequately light the campervan. Now that I have the two 12 volt LED bar lights I don't need them though.

Two 12 volt incandescent driving cabin lights. This little unit provides light for the driver's cabin. These dim lights provide light enough for finding things around the driver's cabin. They don't really provide much light though.

One 12 volt incandescent door light. Lights up the side passenger door. This light is next to useless. It was intended to light the steps when this campervan carried passengers. Probably to prevent falls when alighting. I may remove this and use the switch and wiring for an exterior light.

Two 240 volt fluro lights. These can be used when the campervan is plugged in to 'shore' power. As a result, I hardly ever use them.

Visible in this picture are the five LED MR16 spot lights, 3 on the left and two at the end; the two LED bar lights on the air con unit and two fluro bar lights, one at the top of the picture and one above the bed. Note also the torch hanging from the hook on the left and a 240 volt fluro on the left.

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Same scene as above. The 12 volt LED spots were fitted when I brought this campervan. They are located over the sink, desk and bed.
This picture was taken at night with total darkness outside and no use of flash.

The two 12 volt LED bar lights visible attached to the air con unit by hooks.

Above and below. The 12 volt LED bar lights can be detached from the ceiling and placed wherever they are needed. They are rechargeable, and can be hand held if needed. Even if my 12 volt power system goes out, these two units are enough to light up the entire interior of the campervan..