12v Lighting In An RV Ham Shack!

[@temporarilyoffline]

The vendor on amazon seems to have switched the 12v models out for 120vac models. Not sure why, but I also can't find a replacement that is 12v only. I'm hoping they fix the mistake soon.

[@ghostmandka5498]

I have those all over the ceiling in my garage. Great lighting option!

[@temporarilyoffline]

Very Smart!

[@Kevin-ru9ys]

My go to for task lighting in our off grid house are the 12v peel n stick led ribbon lights. We have a section on a kitchen cabinet that has been running 24/7 for over 12 years!

[@temporarilyoffline]

I have a bunch of them as well, some are brighter than others and some are perfect for mood lighting. I love 12v stuff.

[@don_n5skt]

Looked really good. I need some of those lights for the outside of my building. I need to do a video on running power from inside to outside my shack (shed). Then, with those lights and some cord, I can light the outside of my building.

[@temporarilyoffline]

Sounds like a plan, let me know if you need any help with it!

[@BrokenSignal]

Great video, Steve! The new lights look awesome!

[@temporarilyoffline]

Thanks Bud!

[@Frank_K4FMH]

Aha! Now I know where all of the “if it fits, it ships” boxes at my PO went…lol😅 nice video as I’m about to change my shack lighting.

[@temporarilyoffline]

I'm working on a replacement for them, but the cost is a bit prohibitive.

[@Frank_K4FMH]

@@temporarilyoffline I share your pain on this...

[@K3JRZOnTheAir]

PowerPoles the world! 73!

[@temporarilyoffline]

You got that right!

[@K5YVY]

Solid work

[@temporarilyoffline]

Thanks Joe!

[@TheGeekiestGuy]

12v lighting for the win. I have plans to add 12v throughout my house, so I'm set when power outages happen here. I need to design the rest of the plugs I need and make it happen.

[@temporarilyoffline]

You are going to love it!

[@kevin_wb0poh]

I noticed you have a Celwave 150W dummy load for your bench. Good choice! Admittedly biased (Celwave Alum), my tech at the time designed that upgraded load, and should be 25dB return loss to 1 GHz (possibly 2 GHz) and definitely 150W rated.

[@temporarilyoffline]

I've been very happy with it. The specs on the ebay listing say its rated higher - not arguing - its just the way things are now. Celwave makes some awesome/interesting stuff. I was impressed by the circulator as I scratched my head over how it was supposed to work.

[@victorcharlie7491]

"Let their be light", and their was light, Nice Work, tnx Man!

[@temporarilyoffline]

And then I took a nap! Thanks VC!

[@503Nick]

You’re full of bright ideas 💡 😀

[@temporarilyoffline]

Hey Nick, Good Morning!

[@LeeMcc_KI5YPR]

Steve, you tucked the 12v wire by the switch into the gap between the 2x2s. Will they rub while moving?

[@temporarilyoffline]

I've moved a few times since this install. The fall down out of the way and stop rubbing. I will probably get some zip-tie tie-downs to polish this install up. If I didn't hate cutting cords so much, I'd cut them harder.

[@stephanhersey1186]

Great to have light for the workbench. Better check for RF noise if you use a radio on the bench with the lights on. I installed similar lights for my emergency power in my shack and RF noise to the max. I hope yours work better than mine did. Steve, k7ofg.

[@temporarilyoffline]

No noise so far!

[@Littrell1966]

I like all the work you are doing on the RV, I need to do the same!! The link for the 12v lights goes to some AC lights. I would love a correct link, if you can find it again. Thank you!

[@temporarilyoffline]

That really sucks... that's the correct link, (check the reviews/pictures in reviews) but the mfg changed the listing out from under me. I have used these lights for years and I have wondered if they are "multi-fuel". I guess check checking the link? I searched all over amazon and can't find them. Grrr!

[@Littrell1966]

@temporarilyoffline Thanks for trying, I use Barrina lights that look and mount that way in my basement and shop and love them. Maybe I'll throw some DC power through one and see what happens!!

[@temporarilyoffline]

@@Littrell1966 I would be interested in knowing for sure. I have 4 of the 4 footers in the storage unit from the old house. They look exactly the same except for the 120vac plug.

[@Rusted_Link]

The tool is also an extraction tool for reusing the APP.

[@Rusted_Link]

Damnit, I commented too quickly 🎉

[@temporarilyoffline]

This is your last warning! I guess it's your only warning too... 🤣🤣

[@TheGeekiestGuy]

I try to stagger my power connections (in wall house wiring and 12 volts DC) so they don't end up being a pain later. I like making it so the hot and ground can't reach each other, just in case. Thanks for taking us along for the ride, Steve. I hope you're having a good day, bud. Hopefully, I'll catch the nuggets episode later. 🤙🏾

[@temporarilyoffline]

I like your method, good thinking! See ya on Nuggets!

[@g4lmn-ron]

RVs built in USA don't comply with UK/EU code so I had to swap wire nuts for Wago. I also have phantom power with the fuses pulled. Quality control on RVs is shocking!

[@temporarilyoffline]

Literally Shocking... yes, in the US, we have like 3 total RV makers and all 3 of them use the same component manufactures "under the hood"... now those "big 3" have about 400 brands of RVs among them with different names. Its a pain. Instead of "doing a good job" they just flood the market so that your alternative is to just get a different flavor of their product.

[@toma6684]

I'm betting the phantom power is due to the blown fuse indicators.

[@temporarilyoffline]

@@toma6684 Yeah, I can get behind that thought!

[@Subgunman]

@@toma6684 yes those LED's used on those lighted fuse blocks will chew power when the fuse blows. It would be nice if we could modify these blocks in some way but those LED’s and their dropping resistors literally bridge the two fuse contacts.

[@ScottPlude]

I was hoping you would have shown a link to those "wago" connectors.

[@temporarilyoffline]

Thanks for the heads up. I forgot the link and those things are VERY useful: 👉 Lever Style Wire Nut Kits: geni.us/yLvMJi

[@NovemberOneOscarGrouch]

Well done. Have you tested to see if those lights throw off RFI at all? I have a lot of issues at home with LED lighting and RFI all over the spectrum scope.

[@temporarilyoffline]

I haven't had any problems with it on 2m or HF - for 2m the antennas are in the room and I'm running such low power as a result that it would make a big difference - but the metal walls cause more of a problem... high power RF will toggle the lights on and off as well. For HF, the antenna should be outside and preferably far away so you're out of the near field. Basically it comes down to "everything's a problem" and its our job to fix it.

[@NovemberOneOscarGrouch]

@@temporarilyoffline hams are excellent problem solvers! I wouldn't put and HF antenna in the house, so I would imagine it would be very unpleasant to have an HF antenna in the tin can, lol. I'm glad those lights don't cause interference across the bands. My shack lights are mostly LED, but the kid has LED strips that cause a LOT of interference. I'll look into those lights you have for over my workbench. Thanks.

[@robertmeyer4744]

I use LED strip lights all the time. Many venders have the. . Great for any ham shack. 12/24 V is common . I got some mounted in golf cart. That small blead threw current is 10 to 20 MA and wont hurt anything. It comes from the LED that lights when you take fuse out. I even have some CFL RV stripp lights. They RFI noisy and have a replaceable CFL light that is hard to get now. I have some indonscent 12V lamps that I swap out to LED . Many come from ones I take out for better light. Giveing me a box of old lights .I wired some of them at home. Better than no light. Back up lighting ! Getting ready for ICE storm in NY than blowing snow, Polar vortex coming threw . I got solar and wind power hear and lots of battery power. I can go a long time with out starting a generator . Have that as well. 73

[@temporarilyoffline]

Stay warm!

[@kevinkc3onohelijeepworld953]

The 12v light link is pointing at Ac powered lights ???

[@temporarilyoffline]

Thanks Kevin. Vendor mistake - check the reviews with pictures of the 12v units. Hopefully they will update the link soon.

[@ralphmills7322]

Nice job Steve, I assume you will be completing the nanoTNC project tonight! (Jan 6, 2025)

[@temporarilyoffline]

I sure hope so! The show is scheduled, see you then!

[@ramonbennett8416]

The dim light is the capacitance in the fixture, or it is a little bleed over from the trigger red LED in the DC panel. Not a big deal. Just cut one wire at a time.

[@temporarilyoffline]

Good call. I agree!

[@daledervin3672]

Something is backfeeding into your 12v system with all your fuses removed? Solar panels?

[@temporarilyoffline]

No solar hooked up at this time.

[@temporarilyoffline]

Good thought though!

[@paulsengupta971]

It had LEDs on the side, what looked like fuse blown indicators. The power's going through that LEDs.

[@TheGeekiestGuy]

Ooh. I started using bits of metal window screen for hogged out holes that are too large or slightly off to the side and don't allow new screws to hold stuff. I know they sell "patches" for that kinda thing, but the patches are twice the price of normal window screen. 🤷🏽‍♂️👍🏾

[@temporarilyoffline]

That's a great idea - I'm going to try it!

[@cornbread-KO5RN]

👋2025 🤷‍♂️

[@temporarilyoffline]

Good morning my friend. Hope things are on the way up in your world!

[@DonDegidio]

Hi Steve, Are you at a long term rental site or are you still roaming the country. Stay safe. 73 WJ3U

[@temporarilyoffline]

I'm stuck in Arizona... all the snowbirds have this place locked up to 55 and older, and its too far to go anywhere else. I'll be at Quartzfest in a few weeks, then I'll be at Hamcation in FL... then back here to pack up and move to a new park. Its always something brother!

[@paulsengupta971]

"Make a nice positive connection" - and negative...

[@temporarilyoffline]

Don't be so negative! :-D

[@paulsengupta971]

@@temporarilyoffline Can I be bipolar?

[@temporarilyoffline]

@paulsengupta971 I mean... You can ... But quad polar is all the rage with the new generation

[@davidm.wilson3736]

Oh my god, that light is absolute crap. Do something about it. It’s just hurting my eyes.

[@temporarilyoffline]

Like it dark eh?