All about RV-lighting

Get the most from your RV-lighting installation

RV-lighting is probably one of the most neglected of all RV and motorhome electrical systems, you get stuck with whatever is installed, usually some power hungry incandescent light.

Poor planning and equipment selection generally results in unexpectedly high electrical power consumption rates when parked somewhere remote and poor lighting levels.

The lighting system is not as simple as it first seems. After spending big money on the rest of your RV-motorhome, often the lights are purchased on the basis of cost alone, followed by aesthetic considerations. This is not that surprising, as a quick calculation of those beautiful lights from the catalog can cause a momentary heart stoppage and a very big and long breath through clenched teeth.

It is easy to spend a $1000 on light fittings. Before you opt for the hurricane lantern solution consider the following first and ask some questions. What are the considerations when choosing light fittings?

Cost is an obvious consideration, but the following should be the primary decision factors:

1. What purpose is the light going to serve in the proposed RV-lighting location?

2. How big an area is required to be illuminated?

3. What is the level of RV-lighting illumination required?

4. How reflective is the area in which the light will be installed?

5. How long will the light be on for in the chosen area?

6. What light fitting style is required for surrounding décor?

Define the purpose of your RV-lighting

The proposed purpose of the RV-lighting is an important consideration. Lights may be for general bedroom lighting, or for above bed lighting, work surface lighting in the kitchen, or lighting up other spaces. Each location has entirely differing requirements.

The incandescent light or typical bulb light is power hungry for the given light output and they suffer from physical degradation due to vibration, and with the life being shortened in over voltage conditions with alternator fast charge devices.

The fluorescent light has a much higher light output over the incandescent for significantly less power consumption. Like all lights they have drawbacks. The most notable is that most of the cheaper fittings are badly suppressed against RFI interference, with often serious consequences for electronics and communications such as noise. Cheaper fittings also have similarly cheap inverter electronics, with a subsequently higher rate of failure, and a much higher tube failure rate as well.

The low energy light are relatively new, however low energy fluorescent tube lights are to be seen everywhere these days. The lights have a very high light output for power consumption. Typically a 75 watt bulb output for around 1.2 amps on 12 volt DC fittings. Most of the DC lights being made are tolerant to over voltage with quite high quality inverters, and all European made equipment these days have suppression against RFI. The tubes are not cheap and are on a par with halogens.

The halogen or HQL light has advantages that they are simple, and have high light outputs for the power consumed, with the average light having a 10 watt bulb. There are a few disadvantages, the main ones being that if you inadvertently touch a bulb, the life of it will reduce considerably as the contaminants off a finger such as sweat etc degrade the high quality glass. The bulb itself is subject to quite high temperatures. The cost of the bulbs are rather expensive, typically around $8-$10. Additionally bulb life shortens considerably in over-voltage situations, typically this occurs when electrical system voltage rises to 14.6 – 15 volts under-charging or engine run situations. They do have the advantage of being dimmable which significantly lengthens bulb life, and this is recommended, also unlike fluorescent lights, you do not have an inverter to fail.

Calculate the area size and illumination levels

This factor has a number of considerations. If you have a cavernous living area it is going to take a fair amount of light to illuminate it all. If you want it well lit so you can read the paper, then it may even take more lighting.

The area and the location of the various lights is just as important as planning it in a new home. What can be called low level or background RV-lighting is localized illumination. Most applications of this type are spot type lights with localized beams.

High level lighting comprise those lights that are required to provide good levels of illumination to safely perform tasks. These include kitchen lights, lounge area lights etc. In these applications good shadow and glare-free lighting is essential. The word safety is an important one to remember here.

Consider reflective surface factors

It is a simple fact that RV and motorhome interiors with low reflective surfaces are going to require a greater number or more powerful output lights to light up that area. Painted surfaces, which are generally white and cream painted surfaces, have a high reflectivity, typically around 80%. This can have quite considerable cost ramifications.

The major reductions are that fewer lights are required, less cable and installation costs, lower power consumption for the required light levels. Timber surfaces, such as some of the most beautiful quality hardwood fit-outs require considerable numbers of light fittings, as the reflectivity of the timbers such as teak is typically only around 20%.

Consider how long the RV-lighting will operate

This factor is critical as that all important calculation on power consumption can be made. The lounge area light may stay on for extended periods, with consequentially higher current consumption, whereas the toilet lights may not stay on long but be subject to a far greater switching on and off cycle.

Bedside lighting is generally fairly low use. Long term operation lights require lower energy solutions to save power. So the equation will comprise an analysis of ratings and times. It is simple exercise but worthwhile.

Choosing your light fitting types and styles

It is a regrettable fact that the ideal lights in terms of illumination do not always match the aesthetic requirements. The challenge is therefore trying to come to a suitable compromise. Ideally a mixture of lights will provide all of the necessary RV-lighting solutions. The most common is the fluorescent light.

It is best to install quality fluorescent lights and while they are not cheap, but the tradeoff is that they are well engineered, they will last as long as the RV or motorhome, unlike most other RV-lighting fittings they will probably go through a lot less tubes, and similarly they will not cause aggravating Radio Frequency Interference (RFI).

Low energy lights are my preferred lights. Generally one light will suffice, and both the diffusion and light quality are excellent. Incandescent lights have their place such as in the toilet and shower area and what is more being incandescent do not suffer as much from repeated switching on and off.

Of course the appearance of the LED light is also a major development, good outputs, low power consumption and reliability and these will become more prevalent on RV and motor homes and in particular for those that venture away from RV and van parks where optimizing power consumption is important