Caravan Strip Light upgrade

[@andrewcrawford2117]

I remember the smell of gas lights 👍🏼 Started when 7 with mum & dad Now 65 and I’m still enjoying the life.

[@Womble1978]

What a great idea, I've just made 6 of them for less than 30 quid.

[@gillsaward3212]

Hello you Trudgians. At the ripe old age of 60+. I’ve decided to buy myself a caravan like yourself Dan my parents had a van and I absolutely loved it and the “ life “. After looking at most of your vids and a few other caravan vids I decided that I’m off to the NEC next month to see what model is right for me and maybe who knows might find a deal Thank you soo much and keep vlogs coming. 👍👍

[@robswiseways5697]

Good precise soldering Dan. For earlier vans I like the idea of keeping the original fittings but upgrading the internal components. Our 2013 caravan has a mix of LED and halogen lights. Probably a time when lights/bulbs were moving over from Halogen to LED. Thanks for a great video. Rob

[@ggardner33gg]

Ha yes I found my self thinking back to my earliest caravan memory and it's the smell of calor and bacon in a morning and the sound of the gas lamps being lit on an evening. We thought we were the height of sophistication when my dad installed a foot pump in the van (only cold still had to boil the kettle for hot)

[@RobbieLValentine]

This is the 1st job I’ll do to my caravan as soon as I can get to France to pick it up. Just out of curiosity- if I couldn’t be bothered, how much would you charge to do 4lights in my van?

[@lostweekendscaravan]

Hi Dan a great idea. It would be really useful for folk with vintage vans that cannot get LED replacement lights. It would be cool if you could make them for the Gas mantle type lights. Thanks Phil🙂👍

[@jeffreyfowler4362]

Great idea I’ve put them round my door frame on the inside looks great 👍

[@ForTheLoveOfCaravans]

Excellent video Dan, job well done. Ian...

[@alandray5282]

Thank you for this. .I have been trying to work out what to do. .been changing over to LEDS. .bit by bit. .Alan. ..

[@hettysmotorhomeadventures4860]

Well done Dan very interesting 👍

[@scotty2005]

Fantastic Video, Is This Possible To Adapt To An Outside Light?

[@TheCaravanNut]

Nice modification Dan. Have you moved your van to my storage site? it’s always raining there! Take care bud 🙂

[@jasonnaylor5395]

Will this be OK when hooked up to EHU as the power going into the battery is more like 13.8v and not 12v, won't won't extra current fry the LeDs eventually?

[@TheTrudgians]

Hi Jason, yes completely fine. The LED strips have current limiting resistors stitched in, so variation of supply voltage will be fine.

[@jonwagstaff6613]

Great Video Dan.. I've got a Fleetwood and love it but them lights eats power like you wouldn't believe. Also need to replace my outside light 2. 😊. When I think about it between you and the caravan nut you've cost me a fortune haha. All the best. Jon.

[@vince_martyn]

Our previous caravan had halogens everywhere, including 4 round ceiling lights. I converted them all using a similar method. Our current caravan is a 2011 and that came with fluorescent lights above the lockers, many of these didn't work, so I replaced them all with LEDs. I am fortunate and can use a soldering iron. If anyone wants help with this sort of thing and is in sensible traveling distance of Reading, get in touch.

[@wallsend_wildcamper]

You can buy replacement tubs that are led i bought them for my fish tank

[@trevorbyron9448]

My florescent ( same as above, although 2), keeps blowing my fuse... not sure what's wrong.. transformer s or capacitors.?

[@TheTrudgians]

I would look at the transformer first. Check with a meter and see if their is a dead short. Also visually inspect all the caps for damage and corrosion. Go careful though, there will likely still be some high voltage lurking around 👍

[@trevorbyron9448]

Thanks for reply. mines a 12 v twin florescent caravan interior light. ( In my van)

[@TheMcNeillsonWheels]

I’m sure you have the ability to read my mind, somehow! I have to do this exact job on our caravan and was only talking about it yesterday!

[@colinrimmer789]

The McNeills on Wheels me too Spooky

[@rickiwenn3645]

I’m confused with the switch on my unit I want to change to led. I haven’t removed all the internals of the light yet. Not sure how to send yOu a picture so I can show you.

[@JonByrne]

You can get higher density led strips which have many more LEDs per metre. Might be worth trying them for a more original look and brightest.

[@chrisrogers2848]

I’ve done the same thing to mine, good mod. However, the cardboard infill is a bad idea - those LED strips get pretty warm when illuminated for a prolonged period. Especially when on hookup and the ‘12V’ supply is more like 13.8V!

[@TheTrudgians]

Hi Chris, these LEDs don't get that warm, i've had it running for around 3 days constantly - no noticeable rise in temperature even at 14v. - however I am changing the cardboard for a plastic strip, and adding more LEDs to this installation to make it brighter. if youre interested i'll post an update. Hope that helps. Dan

[@chrisrogers2848]

The Trudgians Hi Dan, that’s interesting, the strips I have run very hot. Must be a different type - looking more closely, my strips have more LED chips in a length than yours, so that’s probably the difference. The mod makes so much difference and great how-to video. Cheers

[@ashleybonner4273]

Dan, are you going to be at the NEC next month? Ash.