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Added LED's ?

Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=11580
Printed Date: 27 Jun 2025 at 3:39pm
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Topic: Added LED's ?
Posted By: Tom A
Subject: Added LED's ?
Date Posted: 17 May 2018 at 1:30pm
Has anybody added a 12 volt LED anywhere in a Pod?  I want to add a reading lamp to the bedroom.  I have wired homes, both old and new, but I am not sure how to go about starting this mobile home project.  
Is there rigid insulation in the exterior walls?


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2018 Sequoia--2018 RP 190



Replies:
Posted By: Ben Herman
Date Posted: 17 May 2018 at 2:17pm
Originally posted by Tom A

Has anybody added a 12 volt LED anywhere in a Pod?  I want to add a reading lamp to the bedroom.  I have wired homes, both old and new, but I am not sure how to go about starting this mobile home project.  
Is there rigid insulation in the exterior walls?

I've done it - the walls are plywood covering foam insulation, so running wires in the walls is out. In some areas you can run wire down inside cabinets (say behind drawers) and up, but not many spots I've seen in my 179. I used stick-on plastic wire channel in one location, to add two reading lights on the underside of a shelf over the bed. I tapped into an existing light (make sure fuse is pulled before you cut into a line).


Posted By: Tom A
Date Posted: 17 May 2018 at 2:34pm
Thanks
Did run the surface wiring channel starting at the existing light?

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2018 Sequoia--2018 RP 190


Posted By: Ben Herman
Date Posted: 17 May 2018 at 3:06pm
Originally posted by Tom A

Thanks
Did run the surface wiring channel starting at the existing light?

Yes, not the most elegant solution but it works!


Posted By: mjlrpod
Date Posted: 17 May 2018 at 3:54pm
Why not just by a $5.00 stick on led light? No work to it. It's cheaper, it doesn't drain the battery, and you can put it exactly where you want. I don't see a counter argument.



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2017.5 Rp-172
2020 R-pod 195
2015 Frontier sv 4.0L 6cyl
I'll be rpodding


Posted By: Ben Herman
Date Posted: 17 May 2018 at 4:19pm
Originally posted by mjlrpod

Why not just by a $5.00 stick on led light? No work to it. It's cheaper, it doesn't drain the battery, and you can put it exactly where you want. I don't see a counter argument.


You certainly could do that, they be easier to install! I didn't for a few reasons: I have not been able to find stick-on led lights that I like or that are anywhere as bright as the wired ones; each 4 watt LED that I add to the Pod only draws about .2 amps/hr, which is minimal if you have a decent deep-cycle battery system; and I live in Colorado where I can use solar panels most all of the time during camping season. 

Like most things, best in moderation; I've only added two, under the shelf above the bed, where it was easy to access wiring and most of the wiring is hidden. 

If anyone's found a good source of non-wired led lights I'd love to see them.


Posted By: Tom A
Date Posted: 17 May 2018 at 4:20pm
Originally posted by mjlrpod

Why not just by a $5.00 stick on led light? No work to it. It's cheaper, it doesn't drain the battery, and you can put it exactly where you want. I don't see a counter argument.


Are you taking about a light that has a self-contained battery?

The counter argument was stated above, and he's right.  I don't want to light a whole room, I want specific "task lighting" as it is called.  That is a lamp contained in a shade that can be directed to a small area, like the book my wife is reading while I am sleeping next to her.

https://www.etrailer.com/RV-Lighting/Gustafson-Lighting/277-000335.html




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2018 Sequoia--2018 RP 190


Posted By: Ben Herman
Date Posted: 17 May 2018 at 5:41pm
Originally posted by Tom A

Originally posted by mjlrpod

Why not just by a $5.00 stick on led light? No work to it. It's cheaper, it doesn't drain the battery, and you can put it exactly where you want. I don't see a counter argument.


Are you taking about a light that has a self-contained battery?

The counter argument was stated above, and he's right.  I don't want to light a whole room, I want specific "task lighting" as it is called.  That is a lamp contained in a shade that can be directed to a small area, like the book my wife is reading while I am sleeping next to her.

https://www.etrailer.com/RV-Lighting/Gustafson-Lighting/277-000335.html



Thanks for posting that link - wish I'd seen those before I added more of the Rpod "moonlights". You are right, they dont work very well as a reading light. I may be changing the ones I added for the reading version.


Posted By: NAP1947
Date Posted: 17 May 2018 at 6:47pm
We have a couple led clip on reading lights, they just illuminate the book, don’t affect your sleeping partner.
Ours are about 6 or 7 years old and have the original button cells still place.


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Susan and Norm
2016 Venza, V6 factory tow
2018 RP179


Posted By: Ghosthawk
Date Posted: 18 May 2018 at 7:17am
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GRP481S/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s03?ie=UTF8&psc=1 - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GRP481S/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s03?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have one I use at my fly tying bench which I love.

Has 2 colors, a warm and a cool white. And 2 intensitys, bright and what is little more than a night light.

On the end is a USB connection, comes with an adapter for 110vac. Clips in place, stays put, adjusts to where necessary.

I have 2 sitting here marked for pod use. And a spare.

Yeah I like them.


Posted By: Ben Herman
Date Posted: 18 May 2018 at 8:50am
Originally posted by Ghosthawk

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GRP481S/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s03?ie=UTF8&psc=1 - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GRP481S/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s03?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have one I use at my fly tying bench which I love.

Has 2 colors, a warm and a cool white. And 2 intensitys, bright and what is little more than a night light.

On the end is a USB connection, comes with an adapter for 110vac. Clips in place, stays put, adjusts to where necessary.

I have 2 sitting here marked for pod use. And a spare.

Yeah I like them.

Nice light - might look into one for my woodworking stuff! We hardly ever camp where there'a ac power so don't know if it'd work for us in the Pod, though.



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