TheSamba.com :: View topic - Vanagon Westfalia Interior Lighting Options

Mon Feb 24, 2020 8:38 am

I'm hoping to see what interior lighting options there are out there. I have a 1983 Westfalia and could use better lighting that would be handy and practical. What do you all recommend? Photos appreciated.

Mon Feb 24, 2020 8:55 am

There are so many good threads on that (do a search) but here's one:

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=651477

kourt

Mon Feb 24, 2020 9:52 am

Thank you I'll check them out!

Mon Feb 24, 2020 10:19 am

When building out our vans my goal has always been to have portable solutions, things that functioned for everyday uses / other uses as well as Vans. And having multiple vans portability makes sense.

We have 8 of these sitx headlights. They have many mount styles, and you can use them on bright and on ultra bright. They last 3.5 hours on one led and 2 hours on 2. One is enough lighting for the entire rear and charges on usb. They also function as our bike lights when on road rides or commuting. Their portability and brightness for the battery length is top notch.

https://www.google.com/search?q=specialized+stix+h...ent=safari

Mon Feb 24, 2020 10:23 am

Looks like the latest version is even better.

Low- 38 lumens for 10 hours run time
High- 100 lumens for 2.5 hours

Mon Feb 24, 2020 10:58 am

What I did to mine: http://oldbluesblog.com/electrical.html#LEDs

Mon Feb 24, 2020 11:04 am

Check out shagginwagon83's work, it's like a freaking suntan booth in his van.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0

Mon Feb 24, 2020 8:51 pm

Two improvements that worked well for me was adding an LED light strip from the closet to the above the sink and an overhead light. We cook in our westy and use the closet. Now light reaches the closet and there is good light over the stove and sink. The overhead light provides central overhead light which we find as an improvement to lower driver side only light. We also can turn it on by opening the slider and reaching up to turn it on without the need to crawl or step into the van.

This thread has some failed ideas and starting with the April 8th post shows what worked.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...highlight=

Mon Feb 24, 2020 11:48 pm

The first thing I did was to swap out the florescent bulb in the fixture above the kitchen/table area with a LED replacement bulb and it made a world of difference in both light output and energy consumed, while retaining the stock fixture. Although unless I'm cooking or need a bunch of light for some task, I think it's way too bright for just hanging out. I also replaced the old stock bulbs in the driver's door light fixture and the map light with LED bulbs, which was very cheap and provides much more light.

I also added a new LED lamp just behind the rear bench, which will light up the entire back area (and engine bay). It also swivels to serve as a great reading light while sitting in the back. (Gold Stars RV Reading Light MR16 Base LED Bulb 12v - https://amzn.to/3c4XrqK - mine came with warm LED's, which I prefer)

For the rest of my lighting, much like Marshj above, I chose to use portable lights that can be multi-purposed. My favorite is the Goal Zero Lighthouse 400 Lantern. It is super bright, but will dim down to next to nothing, can light from the front or both front and rear (surprisingly handy), has a dynamo for manual recharging, an internal lithium 4,400mAh battery with a 1.5A USB output for charging other devices, and can be charged via USB from the built-in cable. The legs can fold if you want to just hang it from the pop-top bar, which will also cast light into the upper bunk area. Since it's portable, it can be used everywhere... I like to use it under the awning at night. (https://amzn.to/2w77MSj)

Another portable option that is less bright, but will collapse down to the size of a hockey puck is the ThorFire light. It also has a dynamo handle and a USB port for charging phones, etc. and two brightness levels. It's also considerably cheaper at around $18. (https://amzn.to/37YgwaC)
Both the Goal Zero and ThorFire put out a nice warm light.

Speaking of warm light... my favorite portable lights in the fall and winter are the classic UCO candle lanterns. The single candle version is collapsible and is easily stored. I love candle light and the heat output is a bonus in colder weather. I also have the non-collapsible 3-candle version which really cranks out the heat at 5,000 btu's.
Single Candle Lamp: https://amzn.to/2SWKibN
Three Candle Lamp: https://amzn.to/2PjlIPR
Here's a video of some dude using it to heat his camper and has some interesting mods:

The main negative to the candle lanterns is the cost of the candles, but if you buy them in the 20 packs when they're on sale, it's not so bad.

Another great Westy lighting solution is the Luminoodle. I got a knock-off from China for about $9 that also has step-less dimming. It is flexible and has several magnets to mount wherever there is metal. I use it under my awning attached to the van when camped, but normally have is stuck along the spice rack area above the kitchen, which makes for great "mood" lighting. It also comes with some plastic ties to hang it from non-metallic areas and a long-ish USB cable. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/33034468326.html
Amazon carries the full line of "real" Luminoodle lights: https://amzn.to/2w0cdyo

Of course, I also find a good headlamp invaluable for task lighting, and especially for those late night "tree runs" where hands-free lighting works well :wink: . Since I usually camp in mountain forest areas, I'm always aware that bears/lions might be lurking about and a bright, focused headlamp is way better than a lantern for lighting up wildlife eyes from a distance. Distance is good! Black Diamond makes first class headlamps and most come with a red light option to preserve night vision. Here's one similar to my NLA verion: https://amzn.to/2ut60L5

I think the next permanent fixture I'll install is something for above the sliding door. I'd love to have a light for when I'm loading stuff into the van from the slider at night without having to hop into the van and turn on the main light. I especially like the solution from uniWerks Designs, Upperbunk 2 Switch LightPod w/USB and Level, which serves several purposes, and may very well be my next upgrade.
http://uniwerksdesign.com/product/upperbunk-2-switch-lightpod-w-usb-and-level/

That's my long-winded suggestions for lighting!

Tue Feb 25, 2020 10:59 am

epbiggs wrote:
That's my long-winded suggestions for lighting!
You sir, are awesome!Awesome - and with the links-great info!

I'm with you on the portable lights. I have two solar powered ones and a long-life USB chargeable one that Dan from Syracuse gave me. :D These get near nightly use at home as well. We also have a crank/USB rechargeable lantern as well.

This one below (Ultimate Survival Technologies 30-Day Duro Lantern) with 3 D Cells and LED lighting, lasts FOREVER - as in, we have had it years and I think it is still on original batteries. Maybe I need to change them before they leak. It rated to run 30 days at low setting.

https://www.rei.com/product/155144/ultimate-surviv...lsrc=aw.ds

Tue Feb 25, 2020 4:57 pm

When I undertook a comprehensive electrical/aux battery upgrade I installed a couple of different LED options - some pics and links to the actual items can be found about halfway through this thread:

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...p;start=20

Three years in and still very happy with the results

Feel free to PM me if you need any more info.

Thu Feb 27, 2020 7:58 am

I replaced the light over the stove with a 1 meter warm white LED flexible strip from Superbrightleds.com in their aluminum channels and frosted cover. An amazing improvement in the amount of light and the distribution - we can see n the little cabinets above the water tank without a flashlight. Liked it so much I put another over the engine compartment on the bottom of the AC cabinet. Great for light when camping and also when working on the engine. For the door, I installed a low profile LED rv porch light and wired it to a door switch on the slider. When I open the door the light goes on, but it has an integrated switch on the bottom so that I can shut it off when the door is open.

Also installed a center mounted boat LED dome light in the cab. Has a switch to allow it to be turned on or to come on with the door switch. Great upgrades that cost about $75 total.

Thu Feb 27, 2020 8:32 am

84Cabby82Westy wrote: For the door, I installed a low profile LED rv porch light and wired it to a door switch on the slider. When I open the door the light goes on, but it has an integrated switch on the bottom so that I can shut it off when the door is open.
I would love to hear more about how you wired this setup. I have a slider door switch that does nothing at the moment and would like to incorporate it into some lighting for the slider area. As I understand it, the switch has only a ground wire, so I'm wondering how you wired your light and additional switch. Pictures would be cool, too. Thanks!

Fri Feb 28, 2020 1:38 am

One of my favorite additions has been these recessed lights i added with a dimmer.

https://www.amazon.com/acegoo-Recessed-Ceiling-Alu...mp;sr=8-54

I also love those Luminoodle lights for both interior and exterior lighting while camping.

Fri Feb 28, 2020 1:23 pm

Couple ideas you could steal, from my Bus:

The "light bulb" you see is something I picked up randomly at some point. It is just a small LED, battery powered bulb. You pull the bulb to turn on/off. It's nice for a quick bit of low light, or as a nightlight if you've got little kids camping with you. It's not lit up in this pic, just visible hanging from the pop top bar as always.

The other is some LED strips I got from Amazon. I replaced the original panels along the upper edges with some cut to order semi-opaque sign plastic I ordered. The LED lights are stuck to the metal behind the plastic panels. I have a three position rocker switch where the old fixture was that selects the door-operated ground switch or a separate ground to allow them to simply be turned on. The little module and it's remote control "eye" are simply tucked away on top of the cabinet.

Fri Feb 28, 2020 1:57 pm

I used LED strips and a touch-dimmable switch.

The video is bad below, but you simple tap it on and off. If you want to adjust brightness you hold the touch until desired brightness. It also remembers your brightness (good for before bed, middle of night, etc.)

For more info please visit my 'jo ann the van build ' thread

https://imgur.com/Sozxmv9

Tue Mar 03, 2020 2:29 pm

shagginwagon83 wrote: I used LED strips and a touch-dimmable switch.

The video is bad below, but you simple tap it on and off. If you want to adjust brightness you hold the touch until desired brightness. It also remembers your brightness (good for before bed, middle of night, etc.)

For more info please visit my 'jo ann the van build ' thread

https://imgur.com/Sozxmv9

Nice setup! Do you have links to the LED strip and switch you used? I am having trouble sourcing a dimmable 12v flexible LED strip. Although, i think the switch may be more important in regard to dimming LEDs.

Tue Mar 03, 2020 3:13 pm

when i redid our interior last summer i went with an extruded aluminum housing and led strip light from superbrightleds - with a small switch mounted on the spice rack.
its a warmer soft light and plenty bright for cooking/night time moving around.
i also popped a wamer led bulb in the drivers dome light and did the footwell/underdash lighting on both sides up front.

so far with the camping we did last summer, we havent felt like we needed anything in the back section of the bed.

i dont have any great nighttime pics of it yet....

also, ill have to keep an eye out for your van around town!

Thu Mar 05, 2020 6:53 am

in addition to the upper bunk powerpod with a built in level mentioned above, I have a slew of LED lighting options:
https://uniwerksdesign.com/lights-and-bulbs/

And here:
https://uniwerksdesign.com/upperbunk-powerpod/

;-)

Fri May 08, 2020 7:02 pm

Ya