trailer lighting options ?

[gasman]

hey guys, i have a question.
this year i would like to start on some of the creature comforts on my camper. starting with lighting.. i am also planning a fridge in the near future and most definately the 12v kegerator.. cold draft beer on tap. how cool wood that be.. soooo the tent is the serengetti.. its big and its dark.. im usually camped in a forrest some where, so i dont always get a lot of sunlight, i wood luv to have solar power with battery back up buit i think i wood mostly be depending on the batteries.. one option i have thought of wood be a solar panel with a really long cord so i could find the sun..or what about wind turbines.. any thoughts on that? when come to electrics.. im stoopid...... is there a direction you guys can send me.. where do i start ? any suggested reading materials? .. websites ? step by step solar power for dummies? any help on this wood be really appreciated . thanx

 

[SAR Jeepster]

LEDs

I found these great LED at my local AutoZone they are thin, bright and only $20. I plan on using then in all compartments as I am rebuilding my trailer. The 1 foot strips can be cut to make multiple smaller LED strips. I have already used them in my Jeep. I have had several trips that ran in to the night and these lights worked great. :wings:
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=39998

 

[R_Lefebvre]

Gasman, I don't have too many suggestions for lighting. Many options out there, unforunately we don't have access to much of the neat things in the US, like those LED strips.

Anyway, as far as powering it, I've thought about this too as we probably camp in similar type areas. I don't think the solar panels are going to work out too well. Under tree cover, it's just hopeless. Same deal with a wind turbine... the trees stop the wind.

What I have been thinking about it making a custom 12V generator. Get a 2-3hp motor, and a GM alternator. Hook them up and run them. At 100A, it wouldn't take long to charge up a battery. This is much better than using a ready made generator, as they usually only put out 10A on DC.

 

[gasman]

woo hoo !! i found the answer .. i just need to stock up on hamster food

http://www.otherpower.com/hamster.html

 

[Titanpat57]

LOl..whacko

http://www.plasmaled.com/high_power_module.htm

http://www.plasmaled.com/wireless.htm

http://www.plasmaled.com/switch.htm

http://www.outlandertrailers.com/HD_Led.html

I have more links at home...some of us have to work ya know...:ylsmoke:

 

[telwyn]

LED source

I've used these in my nose box and am very pleased with them.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36971

 

[SafariPacific]

I found a shop here in Mesa that makes some cool LEDs. I used them all over my truck. Liked them so much I started to retail them with a friend at MassifLED.com

 

[jsmoriss]

I've been eyeing these...

"WLF series Waterproof Light Fixture: 12 & 24 inch Waterproof Light Fixture in aluminum housing with 12 inch power wires on both ends for connecting units end to end - 30 or 60 High Power SMD LED with 120 Degree beam angle - 12VDC operation - Available in Cool White and Warm White - Mounting Clips and VHB double sided adhesive available in store"

From here: http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-...ion=DispPage&Page2Disp=/light_bars-rigid.html

Hard to tell how bright they are. I'm thinking of going with the 12" strips in warm white (two for the center storage bin, and one in each side bin).

js.

 

[HenryJ]

I bought them on ebay from RRS Enterprises - 96 LED Flex Light 12 Volt White $27 shipped.
They have a very bright white light. Water proof, and very flexible.

The led light strip attaches with zip-ties to the top bow. The little black box on the right is the switch to shut them off at night. I stitched the power cord to the flap around the outside of the tent. The connector plugs in to the top of the power box.

This port has a switch on the box to turn it off too. That way we can switch the lights on from outside before we crawl in for the night.

 

[highlandercj-7]

Thanks for the link JS, I dig the AL framing. I'm thinking that would work great hanging from the center bar in the tent.

 

[gasman]

cool .. those are pretty bright too, so you only need the one strip? . my serengetti has no interior cross bars . but they could go on the sides no problem.. soo again im purdy stoopid bout this . i would imagine they use so little power you could run a month on a car battery... thinking out loud here and for weight saving puposes,, if this was the only thing i needed power for.. why or why not would i be able to use a smaller battery like that from a motorcycle or atv,, or even one of the kids electric jeeps,, ???? i may not be getting my fridge this year so i could worry bout that later.. or a power pac,,

 

[SafariPacific]

For those interested Massif LED has 6 inch, 9 inch and 12 inch as well as the 3 inch light strips. They can make custom sizes up to 96 inches in 3 inch increments as well.

http://www.massifled.com/shop/strip_lighting/

 

[StaceyE]

I have the same tent you have and installed these led lights from AT. I am very impressed with the ease of installation and the brightness of these little lights. I mounted one light on each side of the tent wired to the hoops (two lights total). There is enough light emited to read by them.



http://www.adventuretrailers.com/12volt_solar.html

Weatherproof LED light.

This unit produces a nice smooth bright light, giving a well disbursed 360? pan. Can be mounted on a tube, 1.5" or 1.75" with a backing plate, or on a flat surface.

Size: 2.75" L x 1.0" W x 0.875" H

Cost: $66.95