silverback Posted March 13, 2013 Share Posted March 13, 2013 hello everyone i am wanting to put some lighting into the cab area,because when on site the cab/curtesy light does not come on to illuminate things so as i am nearly brain dead when it comes to electrics i thought some of you would give advice i was thinking of putting 2 LED strip lights above the passenger and drivers seats where it meets the windscreen/blinds, i would wire them to each other then wire to a 12v supply in the cab area would i need 12v drivers for these lights to work? if i were to wire them to a 12v circuit in the living area it would involve alot of wire and maybe drilling and i dont want to cock up :-S and the wife would kill me if there are holes evrywhere 8-) jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keithl Posted March 13, 2013 Share Posted March 13, 2013 Jonathan, If you do not want to mess with wiring then why not get battery powered LED strip lights and fix in place. Something like this just as an example... Link. I use a similar one in our underbed locker as there is no power anywhere near. Keith. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lennyhb Posted March 13, 2013 Share Posted March 13, 2013 I had the same problem and what you want to do is exactly what I did. However you need a fair bit of DIY confidence also need to be able to solder. The led strips can be cut to length you then have to solder wires to them. I was able to run a cable from one side of the cab to the other buy tucking it under the headlining trim. To mount the switches I had to unscrew the trim panels behind the cab doors and cut holes for the switches. I had a convenient fused power source in a bedbox close buy (where I had fitted an additional power outlet). I still had to take the bedbox out to drill holes for the cables. They are much brighter than they look in the photo to get a clear photo I had the lights on and used flash on the camera, without flash it was over exposed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverback Posted March 13, 2013 Author Share Posted March 13, 2013 Thanks Keith and lenny good ideas both i was thinking of something like this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/230935848878?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lennyhb Posted March 13, 2013 Share Posted March 13, 2013 They look nice built in switch & no soldering. A bit too long for where I fitted mine width of the trim was only 100mm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverback Posted March 18, 2013 Author Share Posted March 18, 2013 hi all, can anyone tell me if i will need a 12v driver if i just connect to a 12v supply in the cab area and not to a supply in the hab area cheers jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gocro Posted March 18, 2013 Share Posted March 18, 2013 Just a simple 12 volt supply,will only work if the polarity is correct,so be prepared to swop the wires around if it doesn't wok first time, I fitted a 4 metre length along my van, used less than an amp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverback Posted March 18, 2013 Author Share Posted March 18, 2013 thanks Gordon will try it jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyishuk Posted March 19, 2013 Share Posted March 19, 2013 Not so neat, but quite effective are battery driven PIR LED lights, held up by velcro We have a couple. One to welcome us into the m/home and one in the loo to save fumbling for the switch, then blinding oneself. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Light-Sensor-Motion-Detector-Wireless/dp/B00553X96Y/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1363709651&sr=8-4 Rgds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverback Posted March 19, 2013 Author Share Posted March 19, 2013 hmmm interesting tony, do they give out a fair bit of light? wanting brighter than the cab light jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bolero boy Posted March 19, 2013 Share Posted March 19, 2013 Dont' mean to appear either thick or condescending but doesn't a 2012 Autotrail Mohawk have any habitation cab illumination? I dont mean the Fiat Cab light. Almost all vans I have looked at lately have some sort of reading light (usually LED these days) on each side of the cab. As I say, sorry if you dont have these or find them inadequate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverback Posted March 19, 2013 Author Share Posted March 19, 2013 hi chris thats right no cab illumination *-) except the fiat cab light which will not work 10 mins after youve took the key out *-) good eh *-) jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyishuk Posted March 20, 2013 Share Posted March 20, 2013 silverback - 2013-03-19 4:24 PM hmmm interesting tony, do they give out a fair bit of light? wanting brighter than the cab light jon Reading between the lines of what you have written so far. ! I think they would not be bright enough for you. We use ours to find the light switches !, so that says it all really ! Mind you if you look too long at the Leds, you do end up with spoys in your eyes. Rgds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverback Posted May 15, 2013 Author Share Posted May 15, 2013 hi all just an update, have finally fitted these in the cab area 12v switched 20 leds give out afair bit and you can read by em, and they rotate either up or down so good for seeing stuff in glove box, floor etc..pic below jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Dave Posted May 15, 2013 Share Posted May 15, 2013 Good job, looks classy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JudgeMental Posted May 15, 2013 Share Posted May 15, 2013 Sexy.... :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Kirby Posted May 15, 2013 Share Posted May 15, 2013 I'd take them out PDQ. They've turned your steering wheel a very funny colour! :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lennyhb Posted May 15, 2013 Share Posted May 15, 2013 That's his new go faster steering wheel, probably got big checkered go faster stripes over the roof & bonnet :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JudgeMental Posted May 16, 2013 Share Posted May 16, 2013 Haven't seen one of those steering lock thingys for years........why do you need it on when van occupied I wonder :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BGD Posted May 16, 2013 Share Posted May 16, 2013 Brian Kirby - 2013-05-16 12:41 AM I'd take them out PDQ. They've turned your steering wheel a very funny colour! :-D And they have shrunk your glass of alcohol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hughman Posted May 16, 2013 Share Posted May 16, 2013 They look really good - I rather fancy trying them as well. Where did you pick up your 12v feed in the end? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverback Posted May 16, 2013 Author Share Posted May 16, 2013 To answer dave and hughman, thanks i think they look pretty good :-D i took the 12v feed by joing the 2 wires together running it behind the top of the blind to the right, down the pillar to the fuse box bottom right under the steering wheel where the alarm is wired and took the 12v feed off the alarm B-) LOL (lol) to you other reprobates with no class (lol) the steering wheel clamp is there cos when ive had a few bevvies as bruce pointed out im fast asleep and i dont fancy em driving off with me and the missus in the back bed! :-D it could be messy :-D jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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