12V undercounter lighting from Lowe's

[fornesto]

I bought a set of 6 halogen lights from Lowe's this weekend for my tear. They say they are 12V, come with a 120 adaptor and are designed to go under the counter in a kitchen. The set of 6 cost $35 and they are 10W bulbs and ~3" wide. Has anyone used these or see a major problem. They can be surface mounted or recessed. What about the heat (halogen)?

[mikeschn]

The heat from those lights is a pretty scary thing. I bought a set for my baja benroy, and ended up not using them because I couldn't guarantee my trailer wouldn't burn down in the middle of the night.

I ended up getting these lights instead... they are haolgen, but dissapate the heat much further away from the ceiling...



Mike...

I bought a set of 6 halogen lights from Lowe's this weekend for my tear. They say they are 12V, come with a 120 adaptor and are designed to go under the counter in a kitchen. The set of 6 cost $35 and they are 10W bulbs and ~3" wide. Has anyone used these or see a major problem. They can be surface mounted or recessed. What about the heat (halogen)?

[Guy]

Mike is right.

Halogen heat is too dangerous around a wood roof.

These lights are so unsafe they are banned from most college dormitories. There were too many fires.

[DANL]

...and if you accidentally touch the lens of one of those undercounter lights you will get one heck of a burn. I know from personal experience.

[Arne]

Mike, that is a nice looking light..... do you remember where you got it from?

[Joseph]

Hey Mike,

I ended up getting these lights instead... they are haolgen, but dissapate the heat much further away from the ceiling...

That looks identical to the lights I used - also halogen - from Hamilton Marine of Maine. They work fine. Being designed for boat use, using them in a teardrop should be no cause for concern.

Joseph

[mikeschn]

Yes in fact... I got mine here...

http://www.sailorsams.com/lights_wall_metal_incnav.htm

Mike...

P.S. I noticed that Joseph went north, while I went south!!!

[Arne]

The toggle switch is a nice feature... a lot use twist switches which are annoying.

[Dave Nathanson]

I saw some smallish 12v fluorescent lights at Bed, Bath & Beyond yesterday. (Didn't find on website) Probably about 8-10". They said it requires 4 AA batteries but if you look there is a 12v socket on the side. might be just the ticket for a little trailer!

[Denny Unfried]

I saw some smallish 12v fluorescent lights at Bed, Bath & Beyond yesterday. (Didn't find on website) Probably about 8-10". They said it requires 4 AA batteries but if you look there is a 12v socket on the side. might be just the ticket for a little trailer!

Dave, I have a fluorescent tube in my galley. It gives plenty of light and draws almost zip for current . . . but . . . I like to listen to weak radio stations at night and it distroys the signals for quite a large radius. I'll be replacing it with a standard incandescent fixture from the RV supply which only draws .7 amps which isn't bad. Another bummer is the fluorescent acts like a magnet to bugs.

Denny

[BrianB]

I was planning on using LEDs exclusively in my trailer. I know they've been discussed before, but they're perfect for this type of application. There's a surplus electronics store here in town that sells BAGS of white LEDs (couple hundred LEDs) for $2 a bag.

It's also because I considered doing a starry night effect on the ceiling with randomly placed, low intensity LEDs.

[Dave Nathanson]

Hi Denny,
Hmm, I hadn't thought about the bugs & radio. Actualy, now that you mention it, I have a 2 tube fluorescent marine fixture in my Jeep. It was great for a few years, but now it eats new tubes in less than 2 weeks. Those tubes are expensive, so I'm going to do something else. Those UltraBright LEDs look like a reasobable option. I see that http://superbrightleds.com/other_bulbs.htm has some made for 12v lighting in cars, campers & trucks. I like the flat panel of 24 or 36 leds for $15 or $20. Makes sense to me.

Hey Brian, the starry night thing sounds like fun! Don't use the ultra bright white LEDs for that! $2 a bag sounds like a great deal!

[Guy]

Dear Brian,

That Starry night effect belongs on the "Best Ideas you ever saw" thread.

[Andelburg]

It's also because I considered doing a starry night effect on the ceiling with randomly placed, low intensity LEDs.

Wow Brian I LOVE this idea! Can you tell us more about how it would work?

-Andrea

[mikeschn]

It's also because I considered doing a starry night effect on the ceiling with randomly placed, low intensity LEDs.

Wow Brian I LOVE this idea! Can you tell us more about how it would work?

-Andrea

Andrea,

You can't steal this idea for your Cassette until you show us some photos of your Cassette!!!

Mike...