
Upgrading the lighting in your camper van is a great way to make it feel like home. LED lights are perfect for this as they are energy-efficient, long-lasting, and perfect for small spaces.
There are a few things to consider when making the switch to LEDs. Firstly, you'll need to decide on the type of LED lights you want. Popular options include LED strip lights, LED puck lights, and LED recessed lights. You'll also need to plan the location of your lights and switches before installing any insulation or wall boards.
Once you've chosen your lights and planned their layout, you can start the wiring process. This typically involves connecting your batteries to bus bars, wiring the bus bars to a 12V panel, and then attaching the 12V panel to your switches and lights.
Upgrading to LED lights in your camper van can provide better lighting, save energy, and even make your space feel more homey. With a bit of planning and the right tools, you can easily make the switch to LEDs and enjoy all the benefits they have to offer.
What You'll Learn
Choose the right LED lights for your camper van
When it comes to choosing the right LED lights for your camper van, there are several factors to consider. Here are some tips to help you make the best choices for your lighting setup:
Purpose and Lighting Zones
First, consider the different zones in your camper van and the purpose of the lighting in each area. For example:
- Living and Relaxing Area: This space usually benefits from ambient lighting to create a cosy and inviting atmosphere. Recessed downlights or warm, diffused 12V LED strip lights are ideal for this zone.
- Kitchen/Cooking Area: Bright and focused task lighting is essential for food preparation. Surface-mounted lights or strip light bars provide the necessary illumination for this functional space.
- Sleeping Area: Adjustable, wall-mounted reading lights offer both functionality and ambiance. Look for lights with USB ports for charging devices, which are handy when you're off the grid.
- Walkway/Entrance: Ceiling lights can safely illuminate pathways and entry points.
Style and Aesthetics
Lighting not only serves a functional purpose but also enhances the style of your camper van. Consider the overall aesthetic you want to achieve. For instance, if you're going for a modern, minimalist, or Nordic-inspired interior, choose lighting options that complement that style.
To create a cohesive look, select lights from the same design family, including wall-mounted spotlights, ceiling lights, and complementary reading lights. This will give your van a unified and polished appearance.
Light Temperature and Ambiance
The colour temperature of your LED lights will significantly impact the ambiance of your camper van. Lighting colour is measured in Kelvins (K), and you can choose from warm (around 2700K), neutral (3500K-4000K), or cool (5000K+) options.
- Warm White (2700K - 3000K): This option is perfect for creating a cosy and relaxing atmosphere in living and sleeping areas.
- Neutral White (3500K - 4000K): It offers bright lighting without feeling too harsh, making it ideal for general lighting in kitchens and workspaces.
- Cool White (4500K - 5000K): This temperature provides crisp and clear visibility, making it suitable for task-oriented zones like kitchens and workspaces.
Functionality and Flexibility
When choosing LED lights, consider how you'll use them daily. Here are some functional aspects to keep in mind:
- Adjustability: For areas like the bed or a reading nook, opt for adjustable reading lights that can be directed as needed.
- Dimming Capabilities: Dimmable lights allow you to set the perfect mood and adjust the brightness according to the time of day or your specific needs.
- USB Integration: Look for products that combine lighting with USB charging ports, so you can charge your devices while also illuminating your space.
Technical Specifications
Understanding some basic technical specifications will help you make informed decisions when choosing LED lights:
- Lumens: This measures the brightness of a light. For general ambient lighting, 200-300 lumens per fixture is often sufficient, while task lighting may require 400 lumens or more.
- Watts: This indicates power consumption. Low-wattage, high-efficiency LEDs are ideal for camper vans, especially if you're using a 12V power system.
- Beam Angle: The beam angle determines whether the light spread is wide or narrow. A narrow beam is perfect for focused lighting, like reading, while a wider beam is better for general illumination.
Installation and Power Supply
Finally, consider the installation process and power supply for your LED lights:
- Installation: LED lights like recessed puck lights, strip lights, and lamps are relatively easy to install and often come with adhesive backing or simple mounting hardware.
- Power Supply: LED lights require a power supply, typically from a separate "leisure" or "house" battery used for refrigeration, fans, and electronics. LED lighting is energy-efficient and won't significantly drain your power supply or battery.
By considering these factors, you can choose the right LED lights to transform your camper van into a comfortable, stylish, and functional space.
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Plan the location of your lights and switches
Planning the location of your lights and switches is a critical step in your camper van conversion. It is much more challenging to go back and fix your work than to plan and get it right the first time. So, it is recommended to plan the location of your lights and switches before installing any insulation or wall boards.
First, you need to decide where you want to install the lights in your van. The most logical place to install LED puck lights is within the ceiling boards and along the underside of overhead cabinets (if applicable). Then, you can create a digital sketch or diagram of your van's ceiling to visualise the placement of the lights. This will help you plan the wiring accordingly.
Next, it is important to plan the location of your switches. You will need to lay out your electrical wire so that the wire ends are in the correct places to connect to the future switches. You can refer to wiring diagrams to understand how everything fits together.
Additionally, consider how you will utilise the space in your van. Unless you are in a Class A motorhome, the interior of your campervan will likely be a single room that will encompass all of your activities. Intentionally placed lights can help create a visual partition of the space without using physical wall barriers. For example, if you want to read in bed, you can plan to have reading lights installed over the bed with their own dedicated switch instead of illuminating your entire van.
Finally, when designing your lighting layout, consider the different types of lights: primary lights, task lights, and accent lights. Primary lights are used to illuminate the entire interior space, task lights are for illuminating small sections of your van, and accent lights are used to increase the ambiance. You can also consider using lights with dimmer switches to adjust the ambiance and mood of your van.
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Wire the lights to your batteries
To wire your 12V LED lights to a switch, you will need to follow these steps:
Step 1: Choose the Location of Lights and Switches
Decide where you want to install the lights in your camper van. The most common places for LED puck lights are within the ceiling boards and along the underside of overhead cabinets. It is important to plan the location of your lights and switches before installing any insulation or wall boards, as you will need to lay out your electrical wires accordingly.
Step 2: Connect Batteries to Bus Bars
It is recommended to wire your batteries to bus bars, which act as power collection and distribution centres. Bus bars simplify the wiring process and help keep the electrical wiring clean and organised. You can refer to a diagram for connecting the bus bars to your batteries.
Step 3: Wire Bus Bars to 12V Panel
Now, wire the 12V fuse panel to the bus bars. The fuse panel distributes power from the batteries to each 12V end device in the camper van. Remember that, in addition to the LED lights, you can also connect the panel to other 12V devices such as a vent fan, water pump, and fridge.
Step 4: Attach 12V Panel to Switches and Lights
Finally, wire the 12V panel to the switch and LED lights. Note that different switches may require different types of wire terminals. For example, a recommended 2-gang switch with USB charging ports will use female spade connectors.
Wire Sizing
It is recommended to use 14 AWG wires to connect the 12V panel to all end devices. However, if your wire runs will be longer than 20 feet, you should use 12 AWG wire to prevent voltage drop.
Correct Fuse Size
To keep your LED light circuits safe, you will need to insert a standard blade fuse into the part of the fuse panel connected to the selected group of LED lights. Blade fuses typically come in amp ratings of 2A, 3A, 5A, and 7.5A. You can calculate the ideal fuse size by dividing the total watts of all lights on a single circuit by 12V to get the maximum amps, and then adding 25% to that value and rounding up to the next fuse size rating.
Dimmer Switch
If you want to install a dimmer switch in your camper van, make sure that your LED lights are dimmable and that you are using a 12V dimmer switch.
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Understand the different types of light switches
There are many different types of light switches, each serving the same purpose: to control the flow of electricity to light fixtures in a room or space. Here are some of the most common types of light switches:
- Single-Pole Switch: This is the most common type of light switch, typically featuring two brass-colored screw terminals and a green screw connected to the metal strap. It controls a single light fixture or appliance from one location and is usually found in residential buildings for bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen lights, as well as wall outlets.
- Double-Pole Switch: This switch controls two electric circuits or devices, such as a light and a fan, independently. It has four brass-colored screw terminals to connect the incoming and outgoing wires and is often used in industrial applications.
- Three-Way Switch: This switch allows you to control a single light fixture or appliance from two separate locations, such as both ends of a staircase, a hallway, or a garage with two entries. It has three terminal screws to connect to the electrical panel, a second three-way switch, and the target light fixture.
- Four-Way Switch: This switch lets you control a light fixture or appliance from three or more different locations and is useful in long hallways or rooms with multiple entrances. It has four terminals and a ground terminal, controlling the circuit in conjunction with three-way switches.
- Smart Switch: This modern switch allows remote control of light fixtures or appliances through a voice assistant or a smartphone app, as long as there is an internet connection. It often requires a neutral wire connection and may need a circuit upgrade.
- Dimmer Switch: This switch features a knob or slider to adjust the brightness level of the bulbs, typically including an "off" position as well. It can save energy and create a relaxing atmosphere in a room. There are single-pole and three-way dimmer switches available.
- Occupancy or Motion Sensor Switch: This switch has a built-in motion sensor to detect when someone enters a room and turns on the light. It has two modes: occupancy (light stays on) and vacancy (light turns off after a preset time) to conserve energy. These switches are commonly found in public bathrooms and outdoor lighting.
- Specialty Switches: These include timer switches, touch switches, and switches that control fan speed and lighting. Some specialty switches are designed specifically for LED and CFL bulbs.
- Combination Switch: This dual-function switch combines two electrical devices, such as a light switch and an outlet, in a single wall box. It helps to organize the electrical connection in a smaller area and reduce the number of wall boxes needed.
- Pull Chain Switch: This switch is often used for ceiling fans and overhead lighting. Pulling on the chain turns the connected light or appliance on or off and can also control the speed and function of the fan.
- Double-Light Switch: Also known as a dual or two-gang switch, this controls two lights from a single location, allowing independent control of each fixture.
- Triple-Light Switch: Similar to the double-light switch, this controls three lights from one spot while also allowing independent control of each fixture.
- Photoelectric Light Switch: This switch uses sensors to detect light levels and automatically turns lights on or off accordingly. It is often used for security lighting, porches, gardens, and driveways.
When it comes to LED lights in an older camper van with a 12-volt system, there are a few considerations to keep in mind. LED lights are an excellent choice due to their low power consumption, long lifespan, compact size, and environmental friendliness. You can find LED lights specifically designed for camper vans, usually operating at 12V. When installing LED lights, it is essential to plan the location of the lights and switches early in the conversion process to ensure proper wiring. You can choose from standard household switches or switches designed for RVs and campers, which are more compact and easier to wire. Dimmer switches are also an option for LED lights, but you need to ensure the lights and dimmer switch are compatible with 12V systems.
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Calculate the correct fuse size for your lights
To calculate the correct fuse size for your lights, you must first determine the maximum continuous current rating of the smallest wire in the circuit and the current draw of the circuit under normal conditions.
The fuse should be rated between these two values, with a buffer of 25% added to the maximum current draw.
For example, if the maximum continuous current rating of the wire is 40A and the current draw of the circuit is 15A, a 20A fuse would be appropriate.
Step 1: Identify the Maximum Watts
First, identify the maximum wattage of all the lights on a single circuit. For example, if you have four 3W LED puck lights, the maximum wattage is 12W.
Step 2: Calculate the Maximum Amps
Divide the total wattage by the voltage to get the maximum amps. In the example above, dividing 12W by 12V gives 1A.
Step 3: Add a Buffer and Round Up
Add 25% to the maximum amps and round up to the next available fuse size. In this case, 1A x 1.25 = 1.25A. Rounding up, the nearest available fuse size would be 2A.
It is important to select a fuse that matches the amp rating of the circuit to ensure the fuse blows in the event of a fault, protecting the circuit from damage.
Additionally, when wiring your lights, it is recommended to use 14 AWG wires for connections up to 20 feet in length. For longer connections, upgrade to 12 AWG wire to prevent voltage drop.
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