How to power 12v LED lights

[lukebolger]

Hi everyone!

I have bought a motohome, my first one it's a Laika ecovip i400 (year 2000)- hence having no idea about 12v electrics!

I wanted to forgo the standard halogen lights, and use some LED strip lights on the inside.

I have purchased these lights Amazon product ASIN B08BJ28FFP
I assumed they would run off some sort of 12v plug socket that I could plug into the three pin plug sockets in the camper. But the plug socket they came with says its a 240 plug that converts to 12 volts for the LED lights. So I assume that it must be plugged into a 12v socket...

Is there eithere a 12v plug socket I could buy, or some other way to plug the lights directly into the 12v supply of my van?

many thanks

Luke

 

[Jev88]

Buy lights that are already with a 12V plug and add a 12v socket if you dont have one already? You cant use your 3 pin sockets without EHU or an inverter.

 

[pappajohn]

You could cut the existing plug off and connect a cig lighter type plug BUT you would lose both colour changing and dimmable functions.
In my opinion far better to change the existing halogen bulbs to LEDs.

 

[lukebolger]

Thanks!

Could I not just cut the wire from the socket, wire that into the existing 12v electrical supply (possibly near the battery I assume) and then it should power the lights with the dimmer box?

 

[tonka]

The plug on the mains adapter is most likely a 2.1 dc plug.
You can get a 12v cigarette plug to 2.1dc.. that's what I use on something similar I use on my flag pole, internal lights are the same. 5mtr for inside is a lot !!

Like this. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12417924...d=link&campid=5338547443&toolid=20001&mkevt=1

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[lukebolger]

Thanks Tonka, but I would like it plugged into the leisure battery, so I am going to have to try and splice the adapter into the 12v wires as they are I think.

Wish me luck!

 

[Richard n Ann]

Thanks Tonka, but I would like it plugged into the leisure battery, so I am going to have to try and splice the adapter into the 12v wires as they are I think.

Wish me luck!

The leisure battery is sometimes up to 14.4v when on hook up, and not lower than 13.4. Doesn't sound much but the LEDs can run much hotter with a small increase in voltage.

Our colour LEDs controller shuts them off when we're on hook up. You can drop the voltage to them easily by fitting a couple of 6 amp silicon diodes in series in the positive supply. Then when not on hook up they'll use less power too

 

[pappajohn]

Thanks!

Could I not just cut the wire from the socket, wire that into the existing 12v electrical supply (possibly near the battery I assume) and then it should power the lights with the dimmer box?

See my post above yours...post number 3.
Explains it all

 

[Otter Spotter]

Hi everyone!

I have bought a motohome, my first one it's a Laika ecovip i400 (year 2000)- hence having no idea about 12v electrics!

I wanted to forgo the standard halogen lights, and use some LED strip lights on the inside.

I have purchased these lights Amazon product ASIN B08BJ28FFP
I assumed they would run off some sort of 12v plug socket that I could plug into the three pin plug sockets in the camper. But the plug socket they came with says its a 240 plug that converts to 12 volts for the LED lights. So I assume that it must be plugged into a 12v socket...

Is there eithere a 12v plug socket I could buy, or some other way to plug the lights directly into the 12v supply of my van?

many thanks

Luke

Hi everyone!

I have bought a motohome, my first one it's a Laika ecovip i400 (year 2000)- hence having no idea about 12v electrics!

I wanted to forgo the standard halogen lights, and use some LED strip lights on the inside.

I have purchased these lights Amazon product ASIN B08BJ28FFP
I assumed they would run off some sort of 12v plug socket that I could plug into the three pin plug sockets in the camper. But the plug socket they came with says its a 240 plug that converts to 12 volts for the LED lights. So I assume that it must be plugged into a 12v socket...

Is there eithere a 12v plug socket I could buy, or some other way to plug the lights directly into the 12v supply of my van?

many thanks

Luke

You appear to have 12v LEDs strip with a 240v transformer which you woukd normally plug into the mains 3 pin socket at home or via EHU or invertor in the van. I think you could just cut the transformer off and wire in the cable into the feed cable to your existing lights if they are 12v.

 

[tonka]

OR,,,,

Buy a 2.1 DC plug with a bare end cable and connect that direct to your 12v system.
That way you have not had to cut or damage the light set in case they go faulty and need to return or re-use elesewhere..

Pardon our interruption...

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[gus-lopez]

 

[lukebolger]

OR,,,,

Buy a 2.1 DC plug with a bare end cable and connect that direct to your 12v system.
That way you have not had to cut or damage the light set in case they go faulty and need to return or re-use elesewhere..

Pardon our interruption...

Thanks guys! Nice one! I am sure I will be back with more questions!

 

[lukebolger]

OR,,,,

Buy a 2.1 DC plug with a bare end cable and connect that direct to your 12v system.
That way you have not had to cut or damage the light set in case they go faulty and need to return or re-use elesewhere..

Pardon our interruption...

Where would be the best place to connect it to the 12v system? I'm thinking, take apart a light switch that I wont be using (outside awning for example), and wire it in after the switch?