Home Made 12v lighting?

[Alfred]

Hey gang,

I'm a little disappointed in the selection I've found in manufactured 12v interior lighting options (and exterior, too, for that matter).

But, I remember someone on the T&TTT forum making their own jam jar light (which I thought was pretty cool).

I am wondering how many of you have made your own creative lights, to add more personality to your camper, and how you went about it.

Specifically, I am also thinking it would be great to take a lantern mock-up of some sort, perhaps one of those ones that are used for tealight candles or the mini-kerosene lanterns, although I suppose one would need to remove the glass, then fit them with a 12v socket and use it for a light with personality and panache!





Any ideas?

Al in Asheville

[48Rob]

Hi Al,

I've done several conversions on old lamps from 120 Volts, to 12 Volts.

Very easy, and doesn't cost much if you buy inexpensive 12 Volt trailer lights as a source for the guts.

Your idea of using lanterns would be an easy job.

Rob

[bobhenry]

Mine are all 12 volt dc AND 120 volt ac .

Cheap and dirty a 120 volt headlight out of an old vacuum sweeper and an old tail light socket. If you want to get real creative you can wire the 1157 bulb for low med and high intensity. Tail filiment is low turn/break filiment is med and both would be high. A dimmer could control the 120 ac side.





These little kerosene lanterns were 5 something at Menards hardware and I converter them with the mini 120's above and the same 1157's for DC they are really too brite for inside on 12 volt maybe a dome light bulb and socket would be better.



We'll keep a light on for ya !

[eatatjoz]

I used a $5 lantern from wally world as a porch light.


I gutted it and added one of those little side marker lights and a pull chain for a ceiling fan.




it's not very bright and I may end up going with an 1157 bulb.

[Alfred]

I used a $5 lantern from wally world as a porch light.

Yes! This is exactly the sort of thing I was thinking of doing, except I've seen the same type of lantern about 1/2 size of the Walmart lantern for inside (I have a Walmart lantern, too). I like the idea of using the full size lantern outside.

How did you attach it to the camper? Is it permanently mounted (or does it come off and you plug it in when you get to camp)? Did you do anything special to protect the glass, or is it less fragile than I'm taking it to be?

That's great, and I appreciate all the pictures!

AL in Asheville

[eatatjoz]

It is permanently mounted. The glass seems pretty strong, and I can buy another one for five bucks if it gets broken.
The build's not complete yet so I don't know if it will survive or not. I'll have to update if this thing ever makes it to camp.

So far it's surviving construction. maybe it'll last.

[Alfred]

Hey gang!

I am definitely going to do something like this. I see this as a great way to get some creative, unique lighting versus the very generic manufactured lighting.

I would really like to see some more examples, if anyone else has done this. I really like the look of the lanterns with the lights in them! The jar lights look great, too.

AL in Asheville

[BPFox]

You can pretty much build anything you want. For my money, simple is better. Find a fixture you like and simply replace the 120 v bulb with a 12 volt bulb. They work great. You should see the looks I get when I am camping in an area without electricity and I have a standard table lamp on the picnic table. For added effect I will run a dummy extension cord into the woods so folks will wonder how come I am the only one with power.

[Alfred]

You can pretty much build anything you want. For my money, simple is better. Find a fixture you like and simply replace the 120 v bulb with a 12 volt bulb. They work great. You should see the looks I get when I am camping in an area without electricity and I have a standard table lamp on the picnic table. For added effect I will run a dummy extension cord into the woods so folks will wonder how come I am the only one with power.

Is there a 12v bulb that will fit in a 120v socket? Or are you talking about changing out the socket, too? I am asking because there is a 120v porch light that I like, but I want to use 12v on all my lighting.

Where is the best source of 12v hardware if I decide to put a 12v bulb in a lantern, as in the previous post?

Thanks, AL in Asheville

[Alfred]

I used a $5 lantern from wally world as a porch light.

Hey Joz,

I really like the way your lanterns look, and that is just the sort of thing I was thinking about doing. How did you mount them on the side of the camper?

AL in Asheville

[eatatjoz]

I just used self drilling screws. Nothing fancy. i'm rethinking it to maybe look like it's hanging from the top.
you can find 12 volt bulbs at the auto parts store. they fit in a regular socket so it would be easy to modify a regular lamp.

[BPFox]

Is there a 12v bulb that will fit in a 120v socket? Or are you talking about changing out the socket, too? I am asking because there is a 120v porch light that I like, but I want to use 12v on all my lighting.

Where is the best source of 12v hardware if I decide to put a 12v bulb in a lantern, as in the previous post?

Thanks, AL in Asheville

I buy my 12 volt medium base bulbs at the automotive supply store. They are normally used in 12volt trouble lights. Just so you know, a "medium" base bulb is pretty much the standard for light bulbs. I would guess that your porch light is a medium base. Most 120 volt fixtures use either a medium base bulb or a candelabra base bulb, both of which are available in 12 volts. Hope this helps.

[Alfred]

Is there a 12v bulb that will fit in a 120v socket? Or are you talking about changing out the socket, too? I am asking because there is a 120v porch light that I like, but I want to use 12v on all my lighting.

Where is the best source of 12v hardware if I decide to put a 12v bulb in a lantern, as in the previous post?

Thanks, AL in Asheville

I buy my 12 volt medium base bulbs at the automotive supply store. They are normally used in 12volt trouble lights. Just so you know, a "medium" base bulb is pretty much the standard for light bulbs. I would guess that your porch light is a medium base. Most 120 volt fixtures use either a medium base bulb or a candelabra base bulb, both of which are available in 12 volts. Hope this helps.

OK, that's a big help! Thanks for taking the time to explain that to me.

AL in Asheville

[bobhenry]

If you wish to use car bulbs the auto parts houses have dozens of style replacement sockets. An old trailer tail light will net you a neat little socket with ears. Hell a new replacement tail light is about $6.00. They have dome light fixtures in the same section for 4 -5 bucks these could be gutted for the socket and ya get a bonus, the bulb. I was gonna wire "Tap-a lights" for 12 voly for the barn ( head roon issues ) then I found these for $6.00 each



I even like my "table" lamps




While they are 120 volt ac they are still cute ( and cheap) One christmas bulb and socket, a 50 cent wood base from a hobby shop, a shade from good will (95 cents ) , a dab of hot glue , an extention cord and 2 butt connectors. The only expensive item was a $7.00 glass drill bit. I have sold 10 or 12 seta at $15.00 a pair. I have about $2.00 in each one and my time of course ( takes about 15 minutes to make a pair )

[eatatjoz]

I like those alot! I've never been successful at drilling through glass though (I'm too impatient and end up pushing too hard).

That would fit my camper better than the lamp, and i may have to try again.