12V lights and stuff

[Belinda]

Someone to try for 12V lights and other stuff is the Rainbow Power company at Nimbin www.rpc.com.au. I'm after an ultra-modern 12v globe to put in my ultra-old fashioned bayonet fitting and they are waiting on a delivery of LED clusters (currently they only have these in Edison Screw)

I'm also thinking of getting one of their mini lighting systems and having a caravan-powered shed. A solar panel on the roof would keep the van battery fully-charged and run a light in each bay of the shed. We would have lights whenever the van was in the shed (which is most of the time) and when it wasn't there presumably we'd be away too and wouldn't need light anyway.

[caraparker]

bunnings sell 12 volt compact fleurescents but they cost about $25 each, I have them in my Carapark hunter and they have made a great difference ! i only have to charge the deep cycle battery about a fifth as often as I used to.

Cheers
Caraparker

[retro1]

Have a look at the lights I am using in "My Castle Caravan" they are 12v but also have a 240v transformer. Being halegon they are brighter than fluros.

[belinda]

Rainbow Power company at Nimbin now have 12v bayonet-fitting compact flouros in stock. Cost is $22 plus postage.

We bought one which is equivalent to a 60w incandescent globe. It wouldn't work initially but we found out this was because of an almost-flat battery. Now the battery problem is solved (see post on solar trickle-charger gadget) we have excellent light all evening.

We have also had both our tow cars re-wired so the car can charge the van as we drive along.

[Geoff]

I have available a small stock of 12 volt, straight bayonet, double contact, single filament, 18 watt globes that are for old caravan interiors. Code number is 1142. Price is $1.50 each plus postage and packaging. Contact:[e-mail]

[scootman]

Ok all in the know. Regarding lighting. I want to put a 12 volt light in as well as 240. But first things first.
12volt attaches straight to a car battery in the van ? yes? no?

What is the best way to organise 240? how do you attach it to the site? and how do I spread it say to two power points in the van? Help!!!!

also can one of you please get on plane and come and sort out the tailights? $uck knows what wires go where. Says white is the earth but there is only one white , dont I need one for each taillight? The list goes on..............
S coot

[Roehm3108]

Hi Scoot
I notice Caraparker answered this thread in the one you started about the burning van. I agree with him, most vans today are wired 12 volt only above the waistline, with some 240volt power points, for all the reasons that caraparker mentioned.
I intend to go the same way with my Chesney, using a deep cycle battery with charger as well as a transformer for when I am on 240 power. I intend converting my icebox to 12/24/240 only (mainly because that seems to be the only conversion kit on the market.)
I think you will also find that 240 volt wiring should be done and certified by an electrician. Don't forget your safety switch either.
Have you got any electrically minded friends up your way? Unfortunately I don't know any myself. Otherwise, pick the brains of some of the 12volt shops up your way, I'm sure they'll help you, especially when they smell a sale in it.
I had the same troubles rewiring my indicator lights on the Propert. Wired it all up and then wondered why it wouldn't work. Finally sussed out that it all needed to be earthed, so I simply ran an earth wire to them and presto, light. I found it easiest to wire the plug first, connect to the car and the use my little screwdriver tester with a 12v light in it, to find out when I had created a circuit.
Hopefully someone more electrically literate than me will write to you soon.
Cheers
Ray