Board logo

OT - putting a light in the back of a panel van??
chrsgrain - 24/9/09 at 11:08 AM

Hi all,

This is completely off topic, and I've looked all over... but the Locostbuilders can help with anything!

I've got a VW transporter panel van which I use for windsurfing, and I need to put a decent light in the back, so that when its cold and pishing with rain, I can organise all my kit, get changed etc and see what I'm doing.... the little lights in the back are completely useless...

What I'd like to do is get a 12v fluorescent tube light and mount on the back of the solid bulkhead, and put a switch plumbed into a permanent live on the dash in one of the spare switch holes... so that the light can be on when the ignition is off....

BUT - I can't find any switches that go in the holes, and I can't find any easy way to get to a perm live....

HELP!

Thanks

Chris


Gav - 24/9/09 at 11:29 AM

How can it be off topic if its in the "Anything else" section ?


BenB - 24/9/09 at 11:30 AM

Does it have an interior light in the cab? If so can't you splice it in and take it under the headlining??

BTW B+Q sell (or they used to) 8W 12v fluro lights...


AndyGT - 24/9/09 at 11:35 AM

camping and caravanning accessory suppliers.

I used to have a 8w or 12w flu lamp and a 50w halogen bulp in mine for emergencies when we got REALLY lost on road rallies.

Surprisingly don't take a lot out of the battery too....


02GF74 - 24/9/09 at 12:25 PM

what about recharageble lamps?


blakep82 - 24/9/09 at 12:49 PM

leds? would be better on the battery i'd think

as for switches, can you get a switch like the ones already in the dash (ebay for eg) and use that?

[Edited on 24/9/09 by blakep82]


BenB - 24/9/09 at 02:10 PM

Any reason why you want a dash mounted switch? I'd just use the one on the side of the fluro light


chrsgrain - 24/9/09 at 03:41 PM

Thanks guys,

I can't find a switch to match unfortunately - and the reason I want one is I know I'd leave it on and have no battery when I come in from sailing, which would be a bad thing! If I can get a switch with an indicator light, that would be best....

The light itself should be OK (as you say the caravan shops will have one) its wiring it in nicely (pretty new van, don't want to make it look rubbish!)

Thanks

Chris


hillbillyracer - 24/9/09 at 06:36 PM

I've got stick on LED strips in the back of my T4, just tapped into the original interior light, no cutting, drilling etc & as said easy on the battery for the light output. I got them at Maplin but I'm sure you could get them cheaper of ebay.
I raided a Caravelle in the scrappy for the headling & got the rear door pin switch to work them too.

I'll take some pics if you want?


MautoK - 24/9/09 at 07:33 PM

quote:
Originally posted by chrsgrain
I've got a VW transporter panel van which I use for windsurfing



The mind boggles!


hillbillyracer - 24/9/09 at 08:04 PM

quote:
Originally posted by MautoK
quote:
Originally posted by chrsgrain
I've got a VW transporter panel van which I use for windsurfing



The mind boggles!


Yeah, if it were the flatbed variant it'd make sense....

If you're in Devon you'll know all about the popularity of the VW Transporter with surfers!
I'm in the minority as I use mine for carrying tools & materials!