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Installing Reading Lights in an A'van

 

 

   

 

This is a very worthwhile project.  Because of the triangular sides of the A'van, small 10 watt, 12 volt halogen reading lights can be fitted at the table and bed ends of your A'van. There is tons of clearance on the bed end, but a little less on the table end. On our A'van we have them at both ends and use them for sewing, reading and using the computer. They are also great for mood lighting! It is easiest to fit them on the sink/fridge side, but not impossible on the door side. If you haven't ordered your van yet you can also get them as an optional factory fitted extra for around $90.00+. You can save money if a few club members can get together to share the cost of the computer cable conduit as you only need a quarter of the minimum buy length.

 

 

White Fri-light Mini Spot Halogen reading lamp from Camec. ($31.00) Available in :-

White PN. 3023-307,

Gold PN. 3023-308,

Chrome PN. 3023-309

 

Don't be frightened about working on the 12 volt system in your van - it's worth it - look how relaxed Heather looks! The instructions provided here are extremely detailed and list every step. The 4mm cable size in A'vans is above that required, so this mod doesn't overload anything, as the vans are so well built electrically. This project uses identical components to that fitted by the factory as an optional extra. It uses less battery power (10 watts) than the standard ceiling lights. This is handy when bush camping and you're into the fourth day of rain, and the battery is really low. Just use the reading lights! The only tools required are a 10mm drill, a hacksaw or Stanley Knife, a Philips head screwdriver and a pair of multigrips or pliers. 

 

 

You need ZERO electrical knowledge for this project as the wires are connected using special clips. You don't even have to bare the wires. It is quite legal to work on 12 volt systems in Australia. Look at the pictures and you will see how neat it is. Even wires inside the front cupboards are in a special easy to fit cover and extra cable clips and screws are provided so that nothing is loose or hanging.

 

 

Materials List
  •  Fri-light White Mini Spot Halogen - 10 watt - Camec or Caravan Accessories - $31.00 PLUS
  •  2 X cut to length pieces of computer cable ducting - Bunnings in 12 foot length - $20.00
  •  1 X white and purple 4mm auto cable - we use Tycab Australia - any auto electrician
  •   P clips and 15mm self tapping screws - Dick Smith or auto electrician
  •  Screws to suit conduit no more than 15 mm long
  •  2 special cable joining clamps - Dick Smith or auto electrician
  •  1 X 200mm of split black loom 12mm - comes in rolls at auto electricians.
  •  2 X RH self tappers to suit lamp about 40mm long - hardware shop

 

 

BED LAMP INSTALLATION (rear - sink side)

1. Remove everything out of the battery box area and take all cushions off the bed

2.  Work out where you would like the light and cut the conduit as per the note below. Attach the lamp using the two long screws  - do not finally tighten - have the switch nearest to the front of the A'van. Carefully file the conduit to "blend" with the curve of the lamp. If you have a linishing wheel you are laughing! HINT:- It is easiest to attach the conduit first using the three short screws. Try to keep the lamp axis HORIZONTAL as it looks better. Remember you are mostly going into 3mm plywood so do not over tighten.

Note: Conduit cutting lengths for normal height A'van for rear light are 31 1/2" and 15 1/2". Front dinette - MAXIMUM 22 1/2" and 15 1/2 for the piece inside the cupboard.

 

     

 

3. Drill a 10mm hole to allow access to the battery area for the other piece of conduit and attach the conduit using the three short screws. Keep it right in the rear corner for neatness.

4.  Remove the lamp fitting. File a tiny entry point for the cable - best to have the switch closest to the middle of the A'van. Put a purple wire into one terminal in the back of the lamp and one white wire into the other. HINT:- You can raise the terminal block up slightly. Place the black loom cover on the cable and slide up. Do up the two lamp retaining screws. If you want perfection put the purple wire into the terminal going to the switch but this is not really important on this job.

5. Put the white and purple cables at the light end in the conduit and put the loom cover at the bottom (about 1/2" in is enough)

6. Starting at the top put the cover on. This can be tricky so just take your time. A helper holding the loom in place speeds things up.

7. Place the cable in the bottom conduit and feed the cable through your 10mm hole into the battery area.

8. Put the cover on - this one is a lot easier as you are now "experienced"!

9. Remove all fuses.

10. IMPORTANT: The connection to the lamp MUST be made BEFORE the fuse and NEVER between the battery and the fuse - look closely at the photos

11. Look for a white and a purple wire - be careful you DON'T use the water pump wires or you light will only work when the pump is running! On the A'van pictured, the water pump wires are on the far right. It is OK to hook into the white wire (earth) but you MUST find another purple wire. Be aware that your van could be different!

12. Using the special connectors join into the cable keeping purple to purple and white to white. The photos shows how to use the connectors. Make sure you push the wires right in and tug on them to test tightness after clamping.

13. Replace the fuses and you should have light when you turn on the switch.

NOTE:- When fitting a light over the table be CERTAIN to make sure it is high enough to clear the table when lowered without moving the light at all. Spare globes are under $3.00 from Camec. Do not exceed 10 watts or you will melt your light - we have seen this happen! The part number is JC G4 12V 10W and the ones we used were called Designlight. Incidentally we have never had to replace one of these bulbs yet - just have as "spares"! Don't forget that you must NEVER touch any Halogen globe with your fingers as it will fail when you switch it on.

Bob Eustace

 

 

Two extra spot lights over the bed and kitchen area - thanks Heather Nowak for being our model and supplying the A'van!

 

 

 DIY Light Update!

The story was done on installing lights in Heather and Siggy's A'van. It was so successful that their dog Delta has now taken to reading in bed whilst they have to sleep in the annex! Don't let this happen to you!

 

 

   

 

This is a completely different approach to fitting reading lamps. These are halogen lights on flexible stems and are attached to the walls BELOW the hinge line on the walls. (rear wall and sink wall) A slight disadvantage is when in the sofa position they would be very low but it's food for thought.

Bob Eustace

UPDATE 23/1/03

If you are passing through Sydney you can pick these lights up at Winnebago Industries (the motorhome people) in David Street, Emu Plains near Sydney for the super keen price of $25.30 - see Don and his team in Spare Parts - super easy parking and fast service,

 

 

 

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Last updated: 24-Jan-03