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Wed Mar 10, 2021 5:26 pm

Aloha,
just looking for ideas for led interior lights for my canper.would prefer to have something battery operated versus 12 volt. Anybody have any good ones that they know of ? the ones that I had were junk. I have one of those light strips in the bus hooked up to the aux battery and its ok. It even has multi colors and works with the music.
Mahalo
Dave

Wed Mar 10, 2021 9:54 pm

I plan to wire up some “fairy lights “ (led on copper wire) just for ambiance but I would say battery powered is problems

Thu Mar 11, 2021 7:25 am

I get where you're coming from. Here's a few of my favorites...some battery, some solar, some USB rechargeable:

Magnetic, swivel, removable...great all around lighting (I think Idaho Doug first recommended these):
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07B8PGJ8V/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Magnetic, low profile, make great reading lights above the rear bench:
https://smile.amazon.com/Ponvey-Portable-Magnetic-...mp;sr=8-21

Solar, small for storage, multi-color light for fun/ambience...I've added magnets to mine:
https://smile.amazon.com/MPOWERD-Luci-Color-Essenc...amp;sr=8-1

USB powered, easy to hang inside or on awning outside for "patio" lights:
https://smile.amazon.com/Luminoodle-XL-Original-Su...amp;sr=8-1

There ya go... 8)

- Dave

Thu Mar 11, 2021 8:33 am

Both of these battery/solar powered options have worked nicely for us. These are not fixed lights, but more for ambiance:

https://www.rei.com/product/142541/mpowerd-luci-solar-string-lights-charger

https://www.rei.com/product/141607/goal-zero-crush-light-chroma-lantern

Thu Mar 11, 2021 8:43 am

My wife tried to hang one of those copper strand things in our camper last weekend and she got super frustrated with how easily it tangled up on itself, I'd say if you go that route it will need be to permanent.

We use the stock lighting set-up plus one of those inflatable solar lanterns around the H-bar and usually find that completely adequate. I like simple.

Thu Mar 11, 2021 9:39 am

mikemtnbike wrote: My wife tried to hang one of those copper strand things in our camper last weekend and she got super frustrated with how easily it tangled up on itself, I'd say if you go that route it will need be to permanent.

We use the stock lighting set-up plus one of those inflatable solar lanterns around the H-bar and usually find that completely adequate. I like simple.

Yep, my plan is to epoxy it into the corners so you can’t get caught on the strands, and then attach a dimmer dial knob to them because having that finite control is really nice for ambiance. I prefer the warmer color temperatures too.

I also plan to add some cooler white lights for “working” / cooking etc that can be opened from the sliding door area. I have seen technology now with led where your can change colors/ I wonder if that works for certain spectrums (white / warm) only too.

For now I put orange cellophane over the white led in my other light ~ see pic.

Thu Mar 11, 2021 10:58 am

I added some simple cabinet LED puck lights above my rear bench seat. Cheap, and super efficient. After becoming frustrated with any sort of light that was either rechargeable or battery operated, I installed LED lights that wire directly to the 12v battery. Never have to worry about replacing a bunch of AAA batteries again!

My light install thread
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=745823

Thu Mar 11, 2021 11:59 am

One thing I do is strap a bicycle headlight to one of my awning legs to light up the exterior space. They also work on the Poptop bar inside but you can’t have a super bright one.

Thu Mar 11, 2021 5:02 pm

Vanlife Geek wrote: Speaking of LED light strips, I just put these in the various cabinets so I have automatic light when I open the door. Most don't activate until I put my hand inside the cabinet, depending on where you decide to mount them. I like the way they mount with an adhesive bar that the magnets in the lights attach to and that they recharge with USB and have a few modes. They turn off after 20 seconds of no movement. Super handy when trying to find stuff in the cabinets. They come in a pack of four and there's a $5 off coupon right now. https://amzn.to/36N8yU0

Post from Favorite Mod thread. The coupon is now $10 off. Deal!

Thu Mar 11, 2021 6:19 pm

I hang one of these from the push up bar.

https://www.ucogear.com/portablepower/ml-rhody-li?returnurl=%2fportablepower%2f

Moon Glow Mode - cool.

Dan

Thu Mar 11, 2021 7:19 pm

Why are you against 12V powered LEDs? I love mine; they don't use hardly any energy; I don't have to recharge and change out batteries; they give great light; inexpensive; dimmable. I love mine. To each his own.

Thu Mar 11, 2021 7:35 pm

Funny timing. I just was saying to my wife, that I think I am staying with various battery powered lights for the van. They move to the outside, and therefore serve two functions.

I have an LED small lantern-had it for 3 years, and have yet to replace the 3 D-cells.
I also have the following
-another lantern, crank or USB rechargeable.
-Solar only LUCI lantern
-hanging soft glow lantern-charge by solar or USB
-Flat LED panel light with variable angle leg - USB rechargeable
-Small cylinder USB rechargeable that Dan from Syracuse gave me one that can run for a month on its lowest setting!
I leave it on in the van while at the campfire. Easy to find the van and fetch something w/o killing my night vision.

I’ve recharge some while I’m driving - the benefit of multiple USB charging ports in the van.

I’ll have one, perhaps 2 hard wired lights, the rest will be my collection of battery powered lights.

Thu Mar 11, 2021 9:21 pm

shadetreemech wrote: I hang one of these from the push up bar.

https://www.ucogear.com/portablepower/ml-rhody-li?returnurl=%2fportablepower%2f

Moon Glow Mode - cool.

Dan

I am a huge fan of UCO LED products and hang the Madrona lantern from the push bar.

https://www.ucogear.com/led-lanterns/madrona-hang-...anterns%2f

Great rechargeable battery life and lights up both the Westy interior and the picnic table for card games. And yes, the moon glow mode is cool.

Sat Mar 13, 2021 7:26 am

The biggest challenge for me was not having too much light.
The space is small and doesn't require a lot of light to be obnoxiously bright.
Ive settled on some very small simple magnetic LEDs that charge by the cig lighter and can be moved around.
Magnetic rechargeable and moveable LEDs .

That crap from HF sux but this rocks. Once used two of these to replace headlamps on a forest road. The magnets are strong as an ox

https://www.amazon.com/LETOUR-LED-Tube-Light-Work/dp/B074QMZP6Z

Sat Mar 13, 2021 8:46 am

These are now offering a $12 coupon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B081B1CJZ8/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A5R029KBTQB4W&psc=1 .

Super deal! I bought another set and plan to use them in my other cabinets. Extremely small, flat and compact but throw lots of light.

Sat Mar 13, 2021 10:08 am

I have many (too many?) lights in my van, some hardwired, and some battery operated.

The magnetic lights quoted above from me in a different post are fantastic for the cabinets as they always seem to be devoid of light whenever I'm trying to find something. They are an inexpensive solution and can be used in a variety of ways.

I don't think anyone has mentioned the classic UCO candle lanterns. They give off great light and have the charm of days past. They remind me of my first Westy way back when in the pre-LED era. They also have the added benefit of warmth on a chilly night.
A three candle version is also available:

Of course, I have both because I can :) . I won't bore you with all of the other lamps, lanterns, flashlights, luminoodles, etc. that I have in the arsenal of my obsessed lighting collection, but I will mention my favorite of all from Goal Zero.

Although a bit pricey, it is worth it. I have the "Lighthouse 400", pictured below, but it seems to have been replaced with the "Lighthouse 600", which is a little more powerful.
These lights have many features, including a dynamo crank (one minute of cranking gives 10 minutes of light), the ability to charge other stuff like cell phones, a larger than most 5200 mAh battery etc., but the one feature that I haven't found on other lanterns is the ability to just shine light in 180 degrees. There are many times 360 degrees isn't needed, wasting a bunch of light/power. Like if I have it on one of the counters and don't need to shine light on the curtains. It will also do 360 like other lanterns, but this is the only one I've found with this option to use just half. It will also dim down very low.

Anyway, I thought I'd share my favorite single light. Here's a link to the newer model if you want to check it out: https://amzn.to/3lbdM27

Sat Mar 13, 2021 1:34 pm

Hey Geek! It looks like they stripped the coupon off the other LED lights that you recommended. These look the same: https://www.amazon.com/18-LED-Dimmable-Rechargeabl...B081B1CJZ8 .

Sat Mar 13, 2021 1:42 pm

VdubVanner wrote: Hey Geek! It looks like they stripped the coupon off the other LED lights that you recommended. These look the same: https://www.amazon.com/18-LED-Dimmable-Rechargeabl...B081B1CJZ8 .

Yes, they look identical (https://amzn.to/3qEt7t2) Even cheaper than the others with a coupon. Good find! I will add that since I use these in my cabinets and they only come on for a short period, I haven't had to recharge them yet. I'm still very happy with them and at the price you found, they're kind of a no-brainer at only $5 a pop. I might have to get some more!

Sat Mar 13, 2021 2:57 pm

Vanlife Geek wrote: I don't think anyone has mentioned the classic UCO candle lanterns. They give off great light and have the charm of days past. They remind me of my first Westy way back when in the pre-LED era. They also have the added benefit of warmth on a chilly night.
I like these as well and another benefit is that you can get citronella candles for them too.

I got one of these magnet tap lights as a gift and it’s been a lot more useful than I thought it’d be. I put velcro on my portable stove lid (it’s aluminum) and it lights up the burners at night. Then gets stuck to the side of the portable table to light up the water jug when doing dishes at night. The brand I have is NEBO but these are similar:
Stick anywhere snap light

Sun Mar 14, 2021 11:29 am

Yes, we still have our original 25 (?) year old UCO candle lantern: its irreplaceable, really.

We also have two UCO Madrona lanterns and one UCO Sitka - very well thought out lamps that provide good illumination without glare.

I'm also a big fan of the Luminoodles: we have two that we use on the awning for general overhead lighting. Add in a three or four USB power packs and life is very good!

We'll use all of it at once to light a late night jam with seven or eight people at a bluegrass festival. Good times!! :D