Date:         Tue, 20 Oct 2020 07:42:08 -0700
Reply-To:     Alistair Bell <albell@SHAW.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Alistair Bell <albell@SHAW.CA>
Subject:      Re: Anyone know of a good Westy LED ceiling light they like?
Comments: To: "Jim. Felder" <jim.felder@gmail.com>
In-Reply-To:  <CAFnDXk3y__2Jxq_+ZorjZdDJL-qN785uMQ643qot3vAz_n5kXw@mail.gmail.com>
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Hey Jim,

I understand the desire to keep the stock lamp size and location. I can’t help you there with led suggestions.
I used led tape. You know, so ubiquitous and so varied in colour temp and diode density, it’s very hard to give you a specific example. I’ve tried a few different types, and a couple different types of dimmer switches to control them.

What I can suggest, if going the tape route, is to buy tape and aluminum channel and associated translucent cover from , of all places , Lee valley.

I’ve use their channel in the van and it just works well. Plus I think they have one of the better warm whites out there . I’ve bought cheaper strips elsewhere, but Lee valley easy to find and just work. If you choose led tape elsewhere I’d still recommend the Lee valley alu channel.

I have aluminum channel with translucent cover running full length on the plenum/pelmet on pass side above door. Same channel full length under the spice rack drivers side. Short channel with no translucent cover across van, on underside of shelf, adjacent to rear hatch ( great reading light and trouble light for engine ), full length strip on underside of rain gutter outside van, pass side. And full perimeter strip on pop top just above where the canvas joins top.

All are individually switched and dimmed.

Alistair 



> On Oct 19, 2020, at 1:50 PM, Jim. Felder <jim.felder@gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> I've got my Westy all torn apart to replace the top tent, resurface the
> bunk boards, and on and on and on or course.
> 
> One of the things I am considering is replacing the overhead light as well

> as the light under the "parcel tray."
> 
> I want something not too intensely bright, LED, daylight color, and suits
> the form factor of each of the two applications--and is cheap and looks
> good. Not too much to ask these days, is it? : )
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Jim