Would be interested to know what works best in your van. I'm currently trimming the interior and need to decide what lights are required and where to install them so would appreciate your suggestions. Many thanks
This all depends whether you want LED strip style lighting pointing downwards for mood alongside cabinet edges, or work lighting to be able to see clearly. There are certainly issues with air discoloring and dimming resin encapulated led strips, getting the most expensive IP67 where the whole thing is in silicone tubing seems to be an answer. I dont like the cold white cheapest LED lights , so I went for six 1.2 watt warm white downlighters installed with the wiring between the skins of my Devon poptop. Switchable in pairs, each pair mounted on a wooden block. Behind each is a 50mm hole in the roof. Power comes up a cable that runs alongside the solar cell output wiring. Many people will say they are too bright but you can actually see by their light. A fourth strip light LED light replaces the Devon original brown fluorescent under the head banger cupboard. This setup is good enough to use the bus as an office. On the outside next to the mains socket on the chassis rail, a pair of white LED mains indicators meant to indicate power in and out is live, that incidentally also lets you see stuff on the ground in front of the slider in the dark.
Thanks Mike, your set up sounds ideal. I can't put lights in the roof as it's a side hinged double top but either downlighters or strip lights are a possibility.
I've the strips leds on mine stuck to the aluminium curtain track - no head banging opportunity. The clear plastic yellows after 3 years. But they're cheap to replace. Go for the 500 led ones as the leds are smaller so less intense. I've added 2 resistors in series with a set of switches to give 3 different light levels, faff about to get the right sizes, too low and they won't light, but you can get them really dimmed and they will still work. The self adhesive glue on the led strips are pants so now stuck on.
