Lights


The lighting in the Daily wasn't bad but it was dated. With incandescent bulbs and a taped up thing stuck over the hob, I wasn't just going to leave it as it was.
I wanted to move to LED's everywhere I could if that meant changing all of the light fittings as I went then thats what was going to have to happen.

12V DC lighting

Kitchen


First up I had a go at the kitchen light which was the real eye sore. It probably didn't look good when it was new and the way it was now held together with electrical tape, wasn't improving matters.
When I dropped the substantial unit down I was discouraged to find the wires unterminated with the core just twisted together like the effort of a 17 year old fitting his first head unit to a mk2 Fiesta and not a coach built race van interior.
This was all placed in the bin where it belonged and an LED strip light was installed in its place with a couple of self tapping screws and a strip of foam tape for further security and to dampen out vibrations. The unit is cheap but looks worlds better than the mess that was on there. 

A good start

Main lights

These are expensive little halogen units with individual microswitches on them. They are wired in groups with a forward and aft pair on a switch bank by the sliding door and one on its own in the bathroom. The later is staying as it is for now due to the convenience of its frame mounted microswitch in this situation.
As for the other four; they were dropped by prying the chrome ring off then removing the two self tapping screws so the unit drops down. This revealed more lazy wiring which I imagine is a theme for this van judging by the dodgy electrics I have been experiencing.
The relatively low cost LED replacement units I had purchased had a small plug on them which I cut off, continuity checked the unit then wired in WITH A SOLDERING IRON before reinsulating and mounting the units. This didn't take long and the difference is huge!
The light quality is much better as well as brighter and should use considerably less power than the halogen units.

Reading lights

Up in the over garage bed area there are two reading lights. There use incandescent bulbs but the units themselves seem to work okay, aren't offensive and even if I wanted to replace them, would be tricky to find LED alternatives at a sensible price that fit the same footprint.
I will have a look for LED bulbs for them though.

240V AC lighting

The van has a 240v system (which I want to have as little need for as possible) featuring lighting in all areas of the van. 
There is are two LED strip lights. One is in the load area (really helpful, wish it was 12v)  and another by the over garage bed. These are unobtrusive and nice to have when hooked up, especially the load area one which has pretty poo lighting otherwise.
There is also a long strip light in the in the main cabin area. It is honking and to make matters worse, it has a thick brown cable that has been crudely run through a cupboard and down to a 3 pin plug socket. It looks shit!
On the plus side, with the improved 12v lighting and battery charging I have added, it is no longer needed. It will take pride of place in my garage above the degreaser bath where it can no longer offend anyone.

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