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Post by Teachndad on Sept 11, 2014 16:01:49 GMT -8
Hi,
I am used to my '85 tent trailer with ceiling lights powered by a battery. I started to wonder if vintage travel trailers have these. From pix, it seems like a lot of them have one propane powered wall mount light, only for lighting. Is that correct? Is there a time when they started putting in battery operated ceiling lights instead of the propane powered light? I am not talking about using 2 D size powered batteries in a ceiling light. I am talking about lights powered by an RV battery.
I am looking at a trailer now for purchase, and it appears not to have the ceiling lights. I like the battery powered ceiling lights. I think I might miss them in vintage TT.
Thanks
Rod |
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John Palmer
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Post by John Palmer on Sept 11, 2014 17:52:40 GMT -8
Adding a surface mounted LED light or two under the kitchen cabinet and under the front ceiling cabinet is a very useful addition. These locations will make the most use out of the available light, and LED's have a low amp draw for long battery life. VTS is a good source for these lights.
I have also had good luck by installing one or two 12V bulb sockets inside the table light fixture. Just have a switch on one side for the 110V bulb(s), and a switch on the other side for the 12V bulb(s). Just depends on how much space you have inside the fixture globe.
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Post by vikx on Sept 11, 2014 21:02:43 GMT -8
You're right, most vintage trailers had only one ceiling light if any. Often, the ceiling light only operated thru the vehicle parking lights.
I add a complete new 12 volt system to every trailer; ceiling lights, under the cabinets, battery and maintainer, etc.
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Post by Teachndad on Sept 11, 2014 22:16:26 GMT -8
Thanks for the responses.  I take it you are running new wires. Typically is this doable with or without removing the skin, or can it be done from the inside with surepetitious drilling. In my pop up trailer, the battery is in a cabinet below one of the dinette benches. In the vintage TT's are they found inside or on the tongue? I don't see too many with the battery on the tongue. That could be because I am noob and I haven't seen enough yet to make a valid comparison. Cheers Rod |
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Post by vikx on Sept 11, 2014 22:42:40 GMT -8
I put my batteries on the tongue, a few in the Aristocrat side compartment. Inside batteries should be in a sealed vented area.
Yes, new wiring. Most of the time, you need at least part of the trailer "opened up" to do it: roof off, inside stripped, or strategically placed access "holes".
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Post by bigbill on Sept 12, 2014 5:22:18 GMT -8
I am going to use AA powered led lights for the battery powered LED lights in my present project. The batteries last a long time and I believe that in the long run it will turn out to be less expensive to operate than installing and maintaining a 12 volt system that I have no use for other than lights. No deep cycle battery to buy or in close and vent, no wiring, and no charger to buy and maintain. Also I plan to camp mostly where 110 is available.
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John Palmer
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Post by John Palmer on Sept 12, 2014 8:45:55 GMT -8
I am going to use AA powered led lights for the battery powered LED lights in my present project. The batteries last a long time and I believe that in the long run it will turn out to be less expensive to operate than installing and maintaining a 12 volt system that I have no use for other than lights. No deep cycle battery to buy or in close and vent, no wiring, and no charger to buy and maintain. Also I plan to camp mostly where 110 is available. BigBill, Just an idea, to make it even simpler. LOL
Maybe consider stopping in at the local Holiday Inn. They will make up the bed in the morning, have a hot shower, and they offer FREE breakfast and coffee.
What could be better than that?
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Post by bigbill on Sept 12, 2014 16:12:43 GMT -8
John I took a trip to Florida this spring and figured that a room on the way down wouldn't be a problem, after stopping everyplace for a hundred miles I decided it might be a problem after all. If I would have had the trailer along I would have pulled into the nearest Walmart, used my battery powered LEDs enough to get ready to go to bed and been a lot happier. Then would have got up rested and drove on to Florida where I had reservations instead of spending a hundred and thirty dollars for an over priced room after searching for two and a half hours. |
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John Palmer
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Post by John Palmer on Sept 12, 2014 17:21:36 GMT -8
BigBill, I hear ya!
I spend most of my adult working life as a "on the road" factory rep. I drove an average of 40,000 miles per year, covering three states. I NEVER made a hotel reservation, because I liked the flexibility, of ending my day in a town that was my first call the next morning.
I had your experience only twice "in thirty years of road travel", and it sucks. First time was in Las Vegas, and I discovered that the Consumer Electronics Show is a BIG deal, every room in the town was sold out. The second time was in of all places, Tucson, AZ. when the annual Rock Hound Convention was in town. Who would have thought there's that many people collecting ROCK's.
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Post by bigbill on Sept 12, 2014 19:56:51 GMT -8
My worst experience was after being at a car show all day in the sun we left Syracuse New York around 6:30 PM thinking even if every room in that area was full we could get a room 50 or a hundred miles out so off we went. To make a long story short I got in home about 10:30 the next morning with no sleep except for an hour on a picnic table in a road side rest area north of Columbus Ohio. We had stopped or called every hotel and motel till we hit Columbus and I said the heck with it and drove on home. Knowing what I know now I would have just drove straight home and been there about 5 hours sooner. I don't even remember the last 60 miles of interstate as I had only been awake for around 29 hours (an hour on a picnic table don't count). Now that would kill me. By the way we were in my 27 Ford so sleeping in it was not an option.
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cheri
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1967 Vanbrook Trunkback
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Post by cheri on Sept 13, 2014 2:35:29 GMT -8
My trailer had very minimal 12v wiring inside. It was not functional as the main wiring had been replaced with a simple 4 wire harness. I decided not to replace the internal 12 volt wiring as it only operated a dome light over the sink and an AC/DC light over the table. I replaced the sink light with a battery operated LED. I am replacing the roof and the main plug in next summer, so I could run DC wires, but I'm wondering what they are good for. I've looked up 112 volt appliances and unless you are running a DC fridge, there isn't much. It seems like a portable power pack might be a more versatile option. Does anyone use one of these? www.amazon.com/Duracell-DRPP600-Powerpack-Starter-Emergency/dp/B009YR00MI/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top?ie=UTF8 |
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Post by bigbill on Sept 13, 2014 3:23:47 GMT -8
We had that discussion a while back and some liked the idea some didn't. I thought it was a good idea for light usage, it gave you a battery and charger all in one unit that is sealed, and doesn't require venting. They are not large enough to run refrigerators and furnaces but for lights they would work if you used LED bulbs.
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John Palmer
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Hi, From a vintage trailer guy located in Santa Ana, CA. It's good to see lots of activity here.
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Post by John Palmer on Sept 13, 2014 7:38:08 GMT -8
For the very minimal cost, it would be crazy to not add both the 110V, and the 12V wiring while you "have the trailer apart" for a new roof. You might feel like you won't need the 12V system now, but it will certainly add to the trailer's resale value, when the time comes.
At least run the wire, while you have it open. Modern trailer's should have both.
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Post by vikx on Sept 13, 2014 22:08:14 GMT -8
I so agree with John! Of course I'm addicted to "systems" but the 12 volt wiring can come in very handy.... Why not? So little money to pre-plan. A tiny 1/16th hole will let you know where the wires are.
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cheri
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Post by cheri on Sept 14, 2014 1:32:00 GMT -8
I get that resale value would be better with the 12v. system. I just don't get what you use it for. Unless you invest in some pretty big batteries, what can it do? The vent fan is a cool idea, but I'm not coming up with anything else. So, to confess, the real reason I think the portable power pack would be a great idea is that I forgot to turn the key off on my riding mower. It's dead and I don't want to push it. Now, if only I had a power pack with jumpstart, 12v.,110 volt, mini air compressor USB port..........the possibilities seem endless  But seriously, what should a twelve volt system do? Don't you need a bunch of "stuff"? Inverters, converters, circuit breakers, batteries, solar panels, wind turbines. Well the last two might be stretching, but ....... Mine powered two light fixtures that only worked when she was hitched. (no battery system) |
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