Page 1 of 2

12V Lighting

PostPosted: Wed Feb 22, 2006 5:47 pm
by Bandit
I was just at Lowe's and was looking at there low voltage halogen lighting. Some are puck style and others are adjustable fixture style. But as I looked at these, I noticed that they were 12V and from 10 to 50 Watts. These lights are powered by a transformer that transforms 110V AC to 12V DC. If you chucked the transformer and wired into the 12V system, would these not make good interior lighting. Also, is there a way to maintain the transformer for shore power and wire also for 12V power?
I guess this would not be necessary with the battery and the converter from BestConverters.com.
I just think that these fixtures have a better quality look about them as oppose to the RV quality lighting that has been available.
You would think with all the boom in RV sales lots that you see when you travel, that the quality and options for these type items would allow for more selection.
Thanks,!
:thinking: :thinking: :thinking: :thinking: :thinking:

PostPosted: Wed Feb 22, 2006 5:50 pm
by mikeschn
Bandit,

I looked at that too initially... I ditched the halogen spot lights because they were getting too hot.

I ended up going with these lights from sailor sams...

http://www.mikenchell.com/Baja_Benroy_P ... pic135.jpg

Mike...

PostPosted: Wed Feb 22, 2006 7:53 pm
by Sonetpro
mikeschn wrote:Bandit,

I looked at that too initially... I ditched the halogen spot lights because they were getting too hot.

I ended up going with these lights from sailor sams...

http://www.mikenchell.com/Baja_Benroy_P ... pic135.jpg

Mike...

Bandit, I also didn't like the quality of RV light's. Look at some marine ones. They are of alot better quality and there are some nice ones, usually made of stainless, aluminun, or brass. My cabin lights are boat SS cabin light's with glass dome. the reading lights are boat SS map light's, my porch light's are SS stern light's and my skylight is a sailboat deck prism. All very good quality.

PostPosted: Wed Feb 22, 2006 7:55 pm
by TomS
Flourescents are very efficient if you want to get the maximum use out of your batteries. Check out he RV parts dealers and RV parts web sites..

PostPosted: Wed Feb 22, 2006 9:18 pm
by Bandit
Mike, Sonetpro,
Were did you find the lights you are talking about?
:thinking:

PostPosted: Wed Feb 22, 2006 10:05 pm
by Sonetpro
Bandit wrote:Mike, Sonetpro,
Were did you find the lights you are talking about?
:thinking:

I find alot of them on ebay. I also shop boat supply sites. some are pricey so shop around. But if compared to a RV light, pay $5 it'll look like a $5 light the nicer ones cost a little more but look 10 times better.

PostPosted: Wed Feb 22, 2006 10:12 pm
by Ken A Hood
Ebay is where i do my shopping; I bought some like THESE The one's I got have 2 settings, a regular light, and a red night-light.

PostPosted: Wed Feb 22, 2006 10:20 pm
by Sonetpro
Ken those are nice ones. The same as I have :lol: I love ebay

PostPosted: Thu Feb 23, 2006 2:59 am
by Leon
If you want your battery to last, put LED replacement bulbs in your standard fixture and the current drops dramatically

PostPosted: Thu Feb 23, 2006 9:07 am
by Jim Marshall
Judy and I are looking for lighting now but we are going with 110 instead of 12 V. We just want low profile ceiling lights but so far not much luck finding what we want.

PostPosted: Thu Feb 23, 2006 2:01 pm
by Boodro
Jim , how some small sconses? They usually go on the wall , can you mount & wire them there? just a thought .

PostPosted: Thu Feb 23, 2006 3:34 pm
by TRAIL-OF-TEARS
Bandit.
That is exactly what I did, I used the lowes lights and chucked the xfrmrs. I have a puck type light in the galley and two stainless goose-neck lights with a built in switch that I mounted on the wall in the cabin. plenty of light just don't touch. here is a pic of the galley light.

Image

Mike I too was concerned about heat at first then I thought about the lights in my house under my kitchen cabinets. My tear is build out of far better materials than those crappy things so I don't worry too much about that.

PostPosted: Thu Feb 23, 2006 3:48 pm
by mikeschn
TRAIL-OF-TEARS wrote:
Mike I too was concerned about heat at first then I thought about the lights in my house under my kitchen cabinets. My tear is build out of far better materials than those crappy things so I don't worry too much about that.


Well, I suppose as long as you don't go to sleep with your lights on, you don't have to worry about this...

Image

Mike...

PostPosted: Thu Feb 23, 2006 4:53 pm
by critter
woah,
im not gonna ask! :shock:

PostPosted: Thu Feb 23, 2006 4:56 pm
by Jim Marshall
Boodro, I already have our wires stubbed out in the ceiling. At first we thought about sconces but we changed our minds. I appreciate your suggestion buddy. :)

Good gravy Mike, you sure have a way about getting your point across and believe me it is well taken. :shock: Now I'm skeered.