93 EV Weekender Cabin Florescent lights converted to LED

[57 Zwitter?]

I have the same LED's from "Superbright LEDS" that jjvincent used

[Vanielcraig]

I also just converted mine for less than $30 and added front floor lights. I was surprised how easy it was with some LED tape strips and new double pole switches (ordered matching ones to pop in the stock hole). Simply grounded the LED strips to old ground wire, ran power from the LED to one pole and power to the switch from stock wiring. Gutted the housing in the back of the light to hide the wires.

I then also spliced into the dome light power wire and grounded two more strips to the door plungers. Then I hid them up under the dash Giving me front floor well lights when the doors open.

I also spliced into the wiring for the light above the table and ran an LED to the upper bed. I then put a switch up front where the pop-outs for airvents are just under the bed. Giving me the ability to turn the lights off from downstairs or up in the bed.

[mgdetwiler]

Can anyone share how they removed the old circuit board and switch? The plastic on the light housing is obviously old and brittle and I'm afraid of cracking and breaking it. I also don't want to destroy the circuit board just in case I need to keep the fluorescent bulbs working. Can you use the existing switch or do you have to purchase a new one for the LED's?

[markcm2]

Pop the flexible cover off the back to expose the circuit board, then de-solder the switch from the circuit board. Then you can remove the circuit board.

[jmciii]

[Steve in Colorado]

First, thanks to every one in this thread! I did this mod too. I was unable to desolder the switch from the circuit board, so I had to use more of a caveman approach, breaking through the toggle and taking it out from the inside. Luckily I didn’t damage the surrounding plastic, but I’m not recommending my approach!

I used the LED strips jjvincent suggested, and as jjvincent also suggested for the rear light a two way switch with one strip on in one position and two in the other. I like markcm2’s idea for a dimmer, but I wanted something flush so I tried this touch switch for the table light:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07RRVQ1TR/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I had to trim the opening a little with an xacto knife to get it in. The only problem is that the blue LED is pretty bright. I solved that with some vinyl electrical tape. So far so good.

[1994Karuso]

The problem I have had is when plugged into shore power. The battery voltage jumps to 14.5 volts and fries the weaker LEDs in the LED strips. I also had one bulb fail in a way that caused it to strobe! Another set of LED bulbs are OK, so it may just be luck on how tolerant each LED device is to wide voltage swings.

[Abscate]

[d_walküre]

[etherjazz]

I have a 2003 Weekender and found this post to be really helpful. I have a blog for our Weekender and I just posted a detailed description of how I did it. This includes a photo of where the two switch solder joints are on the circuit board. To see the post, go to https://westy.blog/changing-the-cabin-lights-to-led/

Here is a photo showing which solder joints to remove.

[Endopotential]

That's a really nicely written set of instructions, along with some really helpful pictures. Now why didn't you post this 6 weeks ago, when I did mine??

Can you put together a photo tutorial on how to install a transmission cooler please!

[Zeitgeist 13]

There are several YT vids on trans cooler installs. I've done two now, and routing the lines in a manner that doesn't chafe is the biggest challenge. Just be aware that the amount of hose supplied with the typical cooler used isn't enough, so have some extra on hand.

Back to the topic at hand. I mentioned earlier in this thread that you can easily tap into the ground triggered by the doors/hatch above the passenger rear light. This absolutely transforms the rear of the van at night.
_________________
Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?

[MrPulldown]

Most of my interior lights are now LEDs. With the availability of plug and play replacement LED bulbs now, replacing with LED strip lights seem to be more work then it is worth. The only light that needed some more work to install was the LED florescent light tube, which required rewiring the input wires to by pass the ballast.
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2002 EVC

[juliusato]

hi ALL:

Do you know where to buy the cabin light set ?
I check my van , the part number is westfalia 506596.
When I upgraded it to led , but it was too hot and the case was melt.

So I want to buy a new case or maybe a whole set...
I can't find it on ebay, so if anyone know where to buy it , please send me a url or mail.
Thanks

[MrPulldown]

What is the OE set up? Couldn't you just replace with LEDs of the same configuration; tube or bulbs.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746039&highlight=led+tube

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=765790&highlight=led
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2002 EVC

[VanGeek]

Thanks for the tip on the switched ground -- I found it in my weekender in the same spot you described! Did you only switch the light in that housing or did you find a path to route the same wire to the light on the passenger side? I don't see an easy way to snake it....