I'm doing a 4' short wall weekend package and I need to order some lights and can't decide which lights to purchase between hologen pot lights, fluorescent surface mount or incande surface mount. Incandescent are the least expensive ($ 9.00 to $ 12.00 each)and will probably get by with 3 or 4 of them but draw more power, hologen pot lights are more expensive ($14.00 each)and draw very little power but are only 10 watts so I will probably need 8 or 10 of them and Thin-Lite fluorescent are expensive ($ 50.00 to $ 70.00 each)but draw very little power and will probably need 3 of them.I will have two 6volt golf cart batteries for power and sometime down the road will also purchase a generator and possibly an inverter. Just looking for opinion and advice.
Posted 2009-07-17 8:09 PM (#108194 - in reply to #108193) Subject: RE: DIY lights?
Regular
Posts: 70 Location: Temecula, CA
With limited battery power and no generator I would personally go with the floresent lights. It would also depend on how much your going to be using your unit.
Posted 2009-07-17 9:53 PM (#108196 - in reply to #108193) Subject: RE: DIY lights?
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
We finished a 4' weekender and used three double bulb surface mount lights. One was in the bunk area, one in the main entry and the other under the overhead cabinets over the sink. Two can lights were installed in the overhead of the nose of the bunk for reading lights. The bathroom was equipped with a combination fan, light and vent assy. All the lights are incandescent, and if used discriminately, will not quickly drain a single battery.
This was the same type of lighting used in a professionally installed Sierra interior, and works quite well. The lights, even though controlled by wall switches, also have attached switches, which allow their operation at the fixtures.
Posted 2009-07-17 10:16 PM (#108197 - in reply to #108193) Subject: RE: DIY lights?
Veteran
Posts: 117 Location: Toronto ontario canada
That was my plan Gard , until I read the link to redwrench website "12 volt side of things" . On page 2 there is some information on wiring and after reading it I got second thoughts. I initially was going to use the 2 light bulb incandescent lights with the option of having one or both lightbulbs on and I think I'm still going to go that route. Is it bright enough the way you layed yours out ?
Posted 2009-07-18 7:55 AM (#108201 - in reply to #108193) Subject: RE: DIY lights?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 406 Location: Minneapolis, MN
I went with the Thin-lites florescent. My sitting area is 92". I have two Thin-lite dual tube...think 15 watt, to light that area, and one Thin-lite dual tube, again 15 watt in the bunk area.Those are the main lites. I also have some single bulb, dual bulb (1156) for task lighting over the sink (single bulb), behind the couch is a dual bulb for reading.The down side of the florescent is cold weather operation, but I'll trade that for battery life.The LED lights, which I thought long and hard about, are nice, but for general lighting I don't believe the beam spread is what I'd be happy with. For task lighting LED's would be great.http://store.solar-electric.com/thinlites.html
Posted 2009-07-18 12:51 PM (#108208 - in reply to #108197) Subject: RE: DIY lights?
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
Originally written by sidelock on 2009-07-17 11:16 PM
That was my plan Gard , until I read the link to redwrench website "12 volt side of things" . On page 2 there is some information on wiring and after reading it I got second thoughts. I initially was going to use the 2 light bulb incandescent lights with the option of having one or both light bulbs on and I think I'm still going to go that route. Is it bright enough the way you layed yours out ?
The lighting is adequate for all the individual spaces. In the bunk area, one double fixture would not be enough to read by. That's the reason we added additional directional can lighting (2ea).
This is the same lighting that is installed in my Sierra LQ, so we knew what the results would be before we started. When we built his new LQ, the owner had every type of lighting from which to choose. The LEDs certainly use less power, but the fixtures typically have a limited output, and emite a harsh colour temperature. The halogen lighting is very effective and has a pleasant colour which the LEDs don't. The owner was weary of potential heat problems, and so chose the same surface mount fixtures commonly used in many applications.
Having fixture mounted switches also makes the LQ wiring much easier. The power sources are wall mounted switches by the entry door. We were going to mount a three way switch in the front of the bunk area to control the over head light. We were unable to quickly source one, and it became a moot point with the built in, fixture mounted switch.
We both mainly use our trailers at shows where electrical power is available, or day shows, where several consecutive over nights are uncommon. I only have one battery installed in the weekender, and with a solar charger, never been without power. If I plan on longer trips, the other LQ has two batteries and can be self sufficient for longer times.
The surface mount fixtures are inexpensive, available in several styles, and for a modest interior, quite adequate in style and operation.
Posted 2009-07-18 1:29 PM (#108209 - in reply to #108193) Subject: RE: DIY lights?
Veteran
Posts: 117 Location: Toronto ontario canada
I will be using the trailer primarely for weekends and occasionally longer stays at fieldtrials where shore power is usually not available. I will also be installing two single bulb switched aircraft reading lights in the nose area as well as valance fixture . My real concern is the two main lights , in the bunk and the entrance. From the information I have gathered the incandescent bulbs each draw approx. 1.5 watts for a total of 6 watts for two double fixtures and the 30 watt fluorescents draw 2.2 watts each for a total of 4.4 for two fixtures. I just don't know if the difference in power draw is worth the extra money and if the illumination would be compareable . I know that it's only a one time purchase but the fluorescents cost four times more than the incandescents. I just hate making these decisions !
Posted 2009-07-18 2:44 PM (#108210 - in reply to #108209) Subject: RE: DIY lights?
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
Originally written by sidelock on 2009-07-18 2:29 PM
I will be using the trailer primarely for weekends and occasionally longer stays at fieldtrials where shore power is usually not available. I will also be installing two single bulb switched aircraft reading lights in the nose area as well as valance fixture . My real concern is the two main lights , in the bunk and the entrance. From the information I have gathered the incandescent bulbs each draw approx. 1.5 watts for a total of 6 watts for two double fixtures and the 30 watt fluorescents draw 2.2 watts each for a total of 4.4 for two fixtures. I just don't know if the difference in power draw is worth the extra money and if the illumination would be compareable . I know that it's only a one time purchase but the fluorescents cost four times more than the incandescents. I just hate making these decisions !
Rarely do I use both main lights all the time. The bunk light is usually only used after dark at night, when watching a video, card playing etc. The main entry light is used the most often, and provides the most useable illumination. Why not purchase a florescent fixture for this single light? Plus this way you only have to make a partial decision.
If you find you like the florescent light, you can always swap out the other one at a later date, at a minimal monetary loss for the original fixture.
One question I have about the florescent lights is; do they make a full spectrum bulb in these RV sizes? I dislike the cool artificial whites of the normal bulbs, and to me, the LEDs are worse. The interior colours are noticeably altered, rich wood looks like plastic; I dislike the changes. The full spectrum bulbs are much more natural, and are available in the larger sizes.
Posted 2009-07-18 6:11 PM (#108214 - in reply to #108213) Subject: RE: DIY lights?
Veteran
Posts: 117 Location: Toronto ontario canada
Thanks for pointig out the full spectrum issue Gard, I will inquire. Which lense do you prefer for the incandescents, white or optic ? Also , did you mount the entrance light in the center in line with the bunk light or did you offset it and center it between the upper cabinets and the entrance wall ?
Posted 2009-07-18 9:57 PM (#108225 - in reply to #108214) Subject: RE: DIY lights?
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
Originally written by sidelock on 2009-07-18 7:11 PM
Thanks for pointig out the full spectrum issue Gard, I will inquire. Which lense do you prefer for the incandescents, white or optic ? Also , did you mount the entrance light in the center in line with the bunk light or did you offset it and center it between the upper cabinets and the entrance wall ?
White lenses and centered between cabinets and door. Good news about the bulb from WD, another reason to consider the florescents.
DIY lights?
