Date: Thu, 22 Oct 2020 14:03:47 +0000
Reply-To: "ddbjorkman@verizon.net" <ddbjorkman@VERIZON.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: "ddbjorkman@verizon.net" <ddbjorkman@VERIZON.NET>
Subject: Re: Anyone know of a good Westy LED ceiling light they like?
In-Reply-To: <7DDEED22-B812-4D9A-AEAD-21EB78207D54@comcast.net>
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Hey Eric. I have to chime in on that retro look. Sorry Jim, won't help you unless you have some original Bus stuff around. Back to the retro look. I installed a couple of the rear overhead lights from my early Westies (got the parts, not the vehicles). You know the ones. Oblong and over ones head as they sat in the rear bench seat. It has a switch on it and a switch on the steering column cover. I noticed on trips there was insufficient light for 2 people to look at maps, books, etc.. So I took two of those lights, found high output LED replacement festoon lights that fit and installed them just above where each person would sit in the rear seat. I even installed a switch up front. It was easy to drop the metal channel above the seat, pick up wiring from the original light above the bins, and screw them in place. One does have to remove the upper insert of the spice/etc. tray. Both of them on is too bright for anything but checking maps or reading, one on lights up the sink area, the original rear light for mood lighting. Bus Depot even had clear covers to replace the original light covers which had turned light brown over time. Until I got the new ones, I thought they all came in light brown.
Dave B.
-----Original Message-----
From: Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Sent: Tue, Oct 20, 2020 11:23 am
Subject: Re: Anyone know of a good Westy LED ceiling light they like?
Hi Alistair,
this sounds great.
Do you have a link by chance so that I don’t end up with the wrong items?
Despite not being able to see I am invested in having others see well when camping.
I like the idea of the small subtle lights under the rain gutter and upper pop top.
Practical and functional.
And I could leave the original interior lights but add the light strips where most helpful to Heidi.
Once I have my van back this would be a fun project to reconnect me to it.
Glad Jim posted the question and for the diverse replies.
So, got a link for me?
Eric Caron
> On Oct 20, 2020, at 10:42 AM, Alistair Bell <albell@SHAW.CA> wrote:
>
> 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
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