Interior lighting

[adpsimpson]

I want to install some semi-decent lighting inside the Surf, running off the normal 12V system, but using as little power as possible. I've thought of running one or two standard 11V energy-saving bulbs via a 240V AC inverter, but it seems overly complex and lossy. Are there any kits out there? Would several large LEDs around the edge of the roof do the job? Presumably the right number of them could be wired together to make a nice simple 12V DC circuit.

When the normal internal lights are all turned on, they use about 30 or 40 Watts, and produce crappy, low, dim light. With some cleverness I reckon half that much power could flood light the inside.

[biosurf]

Dogging?

[MattF]

L.E.D's and a suitable resistor for limiting the current from the 12V supply.

[bundubasher]

I was going to say take a look at 12v caravan flourescent lights but the LED lead is great - you want to get to Maplins or Rapid and order some High output LEDs and 10K resistors - don't know if they come in 12v or just 4.5/6/9v. You could def. juststick a big resisistor in line though to drop the voltage.

[captain_chaos]

Try caravan and motorhome suppliers. I'v got an 8W flourescent tube in the back of the truck.

[MattF]

10K would be a touch much. Between 500ohm to 1K should be fine, (off the top of my head).

[adpsimpson]

Cool, have ordered a few bits and bobs off RS-online to play with. Ordered 5 12V clusters, 3 super bright LEDs, 5 fairly bright ones and two LED drop-in replacements for the standard overhead bulbs.

I reckon I should be able to do away with a resistor and just wire 3 x 3.6V LEDs in series - max voltage is 5V for all of them, so it's unlikely to damage them. Shouldn't need resistors if I do it that way, should I?

I'll post back once I get some results.

[Albannach]

There's a few specialists on eBay, check there. I've used one of the UK suppliers, they were very good. Supplied everything, including the correct resistors.

[BUSHWHACKER]

10K would be a touch much. Between 500ohm to 1K should be fine, (off the top of my head).

470 ohm 1/4 watt resistors are best for LEDs in 12v vehicles.

[RodLeach]

I had some Neons...bit boy racer but i mounted them on the roof in the boot of my first truck an it lit it up quite nice.

[darkdezigns]

I had some Neons...bit boy racer but i mounted them on the roof in the boot of my first truck an it lit it up quite nice.

i have blue ones that flash to the music
and white leds in the front courtesy light,back seat one is colour changing led

[POPEYE]

Ahhhh L.E.D's excuse me a minuit, (better make it 5 minuits)

[Apache]

There are a lot of 3v LEDs around these days if you're looking for high output types. I'd be inclined to wire as many of these as you need in a parallel / series config (five in series so you dont overdrive them when the engine's running and you have 14.4v on the power system).

Just to clear up any confusion, you dont need to limit the current if you do this as it will look after itself if you stay under the forward voltage limit.

[Tiger]

Dogging?

my sence of humour

[adpsimpson]

i have blue ones that flash to the music
and white leds in the front courtesy light,back seat one is colour changing led

That sounds truly, truly hideous. I'll have to see it one day! Just remind me not to be an epileptic.