Monabones
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1966 Aristocrat Land Commander
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Post by Monabones on Nov 23, 2015 9:41:21 GMT -8
Has anyone used a solar porch light on their trailer? I was considering using this one on my Winnie. But not sold on it yet. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.
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Post by vikx on Nov 23, 2015 22:53:39 GMT -8
Might work. The light would need full sun to charge and a battery backup. It would have to be open to the sun rather than under the awning...
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Monabones
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Post by Monabones on Nov 24, 2015 7:47:45 GMT -8
Your right about the awning. See thats way I ask? I can wire it with 12v inside the cabinets and be creative. I have a 12v light but it is so boring and really not vintage looking. Vikx what do you use for 12v porch light?
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Ten
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70 Shasta 16SC + 1964 Airflyte
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Post by Ten on Nov 24, 2015 11:20:05 GMT -8
You may be sorry you asked....I have had all sorts of crazy ideas in my life, and have actually put a few into practice. I installed an exterior outlet on my 16SC, but did not want it showing. It is mounted underneath near the step, and works on a switch inside. This gave me the opportunity to run a couple sets of rope lights underneath. I tried hard to hide them altogether. It's quite difficult to get a good photo of this but it looks cool on a dark night. I also have a 12-volt light which was a porch light from another old camper. It is just a plain plastic housing and a clear lens. I am planning to mount it underneath above the step and use a yellow bulb in it, with a switch located somewhere just inside the door. Now this setup requires the trailer be plugged in to work. The 12-v is still a "dependent" of the camper. So it doesn't speak to the idea of a solar light. I also plan to have an awning setup, probably most of the times we would camp. Rather than affixing a light to the camper wall, we are planning to add a set of solar string lights, like these, which are plugged into a charger panel at the end of the string. they can effectively be hung indoors if you wanted, with the charger panel placed in the sunlight. Another alternative I'm considering might be these: This three-light set also powers from a panel at the end of the string, which can be placed away from the lights. The leads are not extremely long, but enough to get out from under the awning. We have a two sets of these underneath our carport. Last idea for now. We just purchased one of these. It is a lot more light. It's LED, motion activated, solar rechargeable with a timed shutoff, and cost about $19 at Lowes (Utilitech model # 0667543), attaches to the wall with 2 screws, and has the remote charger panel again. Have I muddied this up enough yet?
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gary350
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We should have gone camping today it is going to snow 6" tonight.
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Post by gary350 on Nov 24, 2015 18:08:08 GMT -8
I had this 3 light unit it cost $30. It needs a lot of sun, no less than 6 full hours of sun every day to charge the battery for those 3 lights. Full sun means NO clouds in the sky and no trees or shade of any kind. A little bit of sun the light stays on only 30 minutes after dark. The 3.7 volt battery died after 1 year and a replacement battery was $18.00. I looked on ebay and every where, no one else had that weird size battery. You can disconnect the lights you don't want and only have 2 lights or only 1 light. These are pretty bright little spot lights. Those butterfly lights are nice I have 2 of those and the battery seems to last for ever.
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Post by vikx on Nov 24, 2015 21:51:23 GMT -8
I like a little roundish vintage looking light. Here's the 52 Hanson: The light is an original but used to have a clear lens. That will be a future improvement when I find one. Here's a "Backup Light" that looks pretty cool: The above can be used for clearance lights; available from VTS with either amber or red lenses and a smaller bulb (#89). If using an incandescent bulb, it shouldn't be too bright=too hot might melt the lense if left on. LED bulbs are available. Here's what they look like: Here's a lower light on the 56 Aljo covering a dent: Turned out pretty well: Also keep in mind which way the door swings. You don't want the porch light covered by the open door... Wonder how I know that???
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mel
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1964 Shasta Airflyte
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Post by mel on Nov 25, 2015 7:46:33 GMT -8
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Ten
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70 Shasta 16SC + 1964 Airflyte
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Post by Ten on Nov 25, 2015 7:49:25 GMT -8
My thanks for the heads-up on the 3-light set, Gary. The ones we have are older, mounted them in about '07, and they run on 4 double-A batteries in the charger unit. The original cheap-os that they ship with everything wore out after a couple years, and replaced with Energizer rechargables. They were about $9 a 4-pk. Been in there about 5 years, with little fade. Will look for the ones that take the double-A's, though they may not even be available any more.
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Monabones
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1966 Aristocrat Land Commander
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Post by Monabones on Nov 25, 2015 9:56:31 GMT -8
I like a little roundish vintage looking light. Here's the 52 Hanson: The light is an original but used to have a clear lens. That will be a future improvement when I find one. Here's a "Backup Light" that looks pretty cool: The above can be used for clearance lights; available from VTS with either amber or red lenses and a smaller bulb (#89). If using an incandescent bulb, it shouldn't be too bright=too hot might melt the lense if left on. LED bulbs are available. Here's what they look like: Here's a lower light on the 56 Aljo covering a dent: Turned out pretty well: Also keep in mind which way the door swings. You don't want the porch light covered by the open door... Wonder how I know that???
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Monabones
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Post by Monabones on Nov 25, 2015 9:59:37 GMT -8
I like the backup light option on pic number 2. Did you get that at VTS? It is small and would go with the other lights I have on the Winnie. Very clever and creative way to hide the dent too!
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Post by vikx on Nov 25, 2015 21:35:59 GMT -8
Both lights on the Cardinal are the same base. The porch light is as it is manufactured. The clearance light with the red beehive lens is after the VTS kit is substituted.
There is an inside switch for the porch light.
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