Home Made 12v lighting?

[Alfred]

Of course, I could just go back to Autozone and get a different bulb...

You did ask about dimming it there, lad... Sorry, I know, too much detail...

Alan (yes, another Al)...

Hey Alan - Thanks for laying that out for me, and it still may be the direction I go, because it may be that all the auto bulbs are too bright. Just looking at all the options. Not many of us Al's these days - Much less the Alfreds!

AL in Asheville

[Aaron Coffee]

Just a thought here, but you could paint the glode. We had a swag light in the house once with a clear globe, mom grabbed the first spray paint she could find laying around(Ford engine blue, I think)and painted it, the light still shown through but it wasn't the blinding light of before. If you are really creative paint flames on it or something.

[Aaron Coffee]

Another thought a headlight witch, I found a seperate (separate from the main headlight switch) dash light dimmer at a Peterbuilt shop but it wasn't cheap($30-40), 70's Cudas had a separate dash light dimmer. What about putting them on the headlight switch, then you would have the on/off function and dimmer function in one switch.

[Aaron Coffee]

I checked it was Freighliner not Peterbilt, here are the numbers I could find on it "Pollak 32059, 10amp, electronic dimmer module, A06-21184"

[Alfred]

Hey Gang,

By the way, for my outside lights, found 12v standard based lightbulbs tonight (screw-in to fit into regular 110v AC socket, look just like a common household bulb, except they are 12v), at (W)Al-Mart of all places, in the aisle with RV stuff, adjacent to automotive. They must have just started carrying them, they were $1.47 each.

I was happy to find them, although it means Sam Walton gets even more of my money, because now I do not have to rewire the outside lights. Otherwise, I thought I was going to have to special the bulbs from marine supply.

AL in Asheville

[Alfred]

Hey Gang,

OK, been trying to figure out how to mount these red lanterns, allowing room for the wiring and for a small on/off switch.

I think I have the answer here:





These are going to go on the interior walls between the side windows and the doors.

Will keep you posted!

AL in Asheville

[Alfred]

Hey gang,

Here's the finished mini-project...The lantern is held in place with washers and a wingnut. Fellow at ACE Hardware very helpful finding the right screw, washers, wingnut for the job. Toggle switch came from Radio Shack.





Here is it is mounted, you can see the automotive bulb inside...



...And here she is all lit up!



AL in Asheville [/img]

[eatatjoz]

What bulb did you use? I'm about to change mine to an 1156 or 1157. The little marker light that I used didn't come out near as nice as the one you made.

I don't really need more than a beacon, but it would be nice to use the light for gathering wood or setting up camp.

[Alfred]

What bulb did you use?

Hey Joz,

Here's what I used, picked-up from the car parts store:



The bulb may be too bright, for my needs (inside the cabin), I might make a change to a less bright one!

For my outside lights, I used 110v patio light, but wired it 12v, then used a standard lightbulb-based 12v RV bulb - Walmart sells the bulbs for $1.47, looks like a regular lightbulb but runs on 12v.

AL in Asheville

[Grid Runner Adventures]

hey guys if anyone needs a bit of parts at radio shack i have paypal and a 15% discount at radio shack just let me know.

[Alfred]

Hey all,

I made this short video of my oil to 12volt lantern conversion for RadioShack's "Great Create" promotion.

Go here:
http://www.radioshackdiy.com/project-ga ... olt-camper

If you're so inclined to "like" it, my understanding the projects with the most votes will be highlighted on the RadioShack site.

...Oh, and its little of my guitar work for the video soundtrack, too!

I put the T&TTT website URL at the end of the video, so maybe I'll drum us up some new TD members!

AL

[Wolfscout]

Very neat idea Alfred. I may have to try something along that line.

[bobhenry]

Something you all may have missed an 1157 bulb will give you 3 levels of light with a 3 position switch feed 12 volt to the tail element for low or for higher energize the break light filiment. Now if you are reading with your welding helmet on energize both and you will have LIGHT !

BULB POWER CONSUMPTION LIGHT OUTPUT LIFE
#1157 Voltage Amps Watts Candela Lumen Hours
High Element 12.8 2.10 26.8 32 402 1200
Low Element 14.0 0.59 8.3 3 38 5000

I wired mine with a single pole double throw switch and center fed the 12 volts in and up is high down is low. So 3 candlepower of 32 candlepower.

[nrody]

Really nice job. I will have to get creative now fom my td. Loved the vidio too.

[Cliffmeister2000]

I "liked" it!

I just (yesterday) bought a package of 3 120v LET lights that look like normal bulbs. Installed 2 in the fan light in my office, and the 3rd in my desk lamp. Much more natural tone than I have seen in LED lights before. I'm inclined to start investigating LED for the Weekender again. Now, I have to investigate neat little lamps to modify!