Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 05-03-2015, 01:56 PM   #1
Moderator
 
Stefrobrts's Avatar

 
1968 17' Caravel
Battle Ground , Washington
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,253
Images: 50
Blog Entries: 1
LEDs in my '68 Caravel!

After our amazing trip to Yosemite, I immediately came home and started planning another trip to Yosemite in the fall. Since the campgrounds in the valley are ‘dry camping’ – no electric or water, I started researching how long my battery would last. When the battery runs out, my lights and furnace stops working, and the Airstream becomes an aluminum tent! So I decided it was time to bite the bullet and invest in LED lighting for the trailer.



I had looked into this two years ago, but wasn’t ready to spend the cash. I contacted Dan at LED4RV.com because he was highly recommended here. People reported back that he helped them pick out the right bulbs, and if there were any problems he made it right. I only want to do this once, so that sounded good to me! We discussed it via email, and finally over the phone to work out the details on which bulbs would fit my vintage cone lamps, and a week later it was in my hands!


The list:
4 x 1156 Warm White 18 SMD LED Cluster Light SKU597 (B1156SMD18WW) - For the reading lamps over the dinette and the bathroom vanity lights.

3 x LED strip light kit for the Square 60 s Model SKU680 (TSLM_kit) - for the square ceiling fixtures

1 x Warm white spot with Aluminum base SKU1505 (B1156SpotWW3) - for the cone light over the couch

The square ceiling fixtures were the only tricky part – the kit consists of mixed color LED strips that are adhesive backed, so they need to be stuck into place. But that only took about 15 minutes per fixture. The rest of the bulbs all just plugged in exactly like the 12v bulbs had.


The finished product has just the right color of light to give it the same cozy feeling inside it has always had, and the quality of the light itself feels even brighter.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	DSC02246.jpg
Views:	283
Size:	115.8 KB
ID:	237657   Click image for larger version

Name:	DSC02247.jpg
Views:	304
Size:	102.7 KB
ID:	237658  

Click image for larger version

Name:	DSC02250.jpg
Views:	285
Size:	106.7 KB
ID:	237659   Click image for larger version

Name:	DSC02252.jpg
Views:	269
Size:	93.4 KB
ID:	237660  

Click image for larger version

Name:	DSC02248.jpg
Views:	201
Size:	92.6 KB
ID:	237661   Click image for larger version

Name:	DSC02249.jpg
Views:	358
Size:	64.7 KB
ID:	237662  

__________________
Stephanie




Stefrobrts is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-03-2015, 05:10 PM   #2
Rivet Master
 
Argonaut20's Avatar
 
1966 17' Caravel
Currently Looking...
Las Cruces , New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 577
The LED's look great and they are a good idea. Big battery users are not the lights so much as the furnace and water pump. You might consider getting a solar panel and controller to pump up the battery in the daytime when dry camping. Just a thought.
__________________
1966 Airstream Caravel
2006 Toyota Tacoma
Argonaut20 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-04-2015, 10:34 AM   #3
Moderator
 
Stefrobrts's Avatar

 
1968 17' Caravel
Battle Ground , Washington
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,253
Images: 50
Blog Entries: 1
Yup, haven't decided yet if we will go solar panel or little generator. I'm looking forward to seeing how long it lasts at Trout Lake. Also trying to determine how quickly it charges back up while being towed. We'll find that out on the way home from the long weekend.
__________________
Stephanie




Stefrobrts is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-04-2015, 07:16 PM   #4
Rivet Master
 
Argonaut20's Avatar
 
1966 17' Caravel
Currently Looking...
Las Cruces , New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 577
Good idea. It's pretty easy to rig a solar controller to your battery and use a panel on a length of cord that plugs in when you want it rather than mounting on the trailer. Advantage is being able to deploy in the sun when you are camped in the shade and no noise.
__________________
1966 Airstream Caravel
2006 Toyota Tacoma
Argonaut20 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-05-2015, 01:04 PM   #5
in the rising sun toaster
 
1956 26' Cruiser/Overlander
Wimberley , Texas
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 52
A way to save power for the 12v water pump is to install a air proessure tank instead; these wwere routinely common on 50s AS but bu now, most all those old systmes and theri metal tank would have been replaced. About 20 years ago, I replaced my metal tank under the curb side twin bed) with a 5' section of 12" diameter Schedule 80 PVC pipe, caps, saddle clamp to inlet, re-used original air-valve inlet, and the tank also fills via a water valve from (and to) the shore water pipe system. One "charge" of 40 to 50 psi lasts for more days than I've EVER needed but it's easy-peazy fast to re-charge/add more air at any time with any 12 volt compressor. I haven't even had any need/use for a 12 volt water pump in the last 20 years and always have pressure driven water while on the road or when dry camping.
rsjmcg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-05-2015, 02:17 PM   #6
Moderator
 
Stefrobrts's Avatar

 
1968 17' Caravel
Battle Ground , Washington
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,253
Images: 50
Blog Entries: 1
Quote:
Originally Posted by rsjmcg View Post
I haven't even had any need/use for a 12 volt water pump in the last 20 years and always have pressure driven water while on the road or when dry camping.
I have never heard of such a thing! I'll read up on it - thanks
__________________
Stephanie




Stefrobrts is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-05-2015, 02:33 PM   #7
4 Rivet Member
 
Currently Looking...
z , North Carolina
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 262
Images: 7
Indeed, A Very Nice Improvement

Stef,
That really looks nice. Your TT is very cozy looking. You have decorated it very nicely. With the LEd's, you are probably using 1/8th of the power that you were using with the old lights. Well worth the $. Dan is awesome to work with.
I too am debating solar vs generator. Both are expensive routes to follow. I have many shinies to save for either route we choose. Maybe next spring. Now it's time to get out there and see this great country.
Sea ya down the road,
Gavin
FishinHatteras is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-05-2016, 04:41 AM   #8
Rivet Master
 
Dingo Girl's Avatar
 
1967 17' Caravel
Oak Creek , Colorado
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,552
Images: 3
Stef,
I just came upon your thread.
You did just what I will be doing in a month or so. Or when spring comes.
Thanks so much for posting part numbers and a contact person.
Dingo Girl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-05-2016, 11:23 PM   #9
Moderator
 
Stefrobrts's Avatar

 
1968 17' Caravel
Battle Ground , Washington
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,253
Images: 50
Blog Entries: 1
I was just out today doing spring cleaning and oiling/waxing the woodwork. The LEDs are all still working fine. I'm really happy with them. Good luck with your conversion.
__________________
Stephanie




Stefrobrts is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-06-2016, 05:30 AM   #10
Rivet Master
 
Dingo Girl's Avatar
 
1967 17' Caravel
Oak Creek , Colorado
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,552
Images: 3
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stefrobrts View Post
I was just out today doing spring cleaning and oiling/waxing the woodwork. The LEDs are all still working fine. I'm really happy with them. Good luck with your conversion.
I don't want to change the topic of your thread but what do you use on the woodwork? I've been looking for something that won't harm the old finish.
Dingo Girl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-07-2016, 09:24 PM   #11
3 Rivet Member
 
Jewel65's Avatar
 
1965 17' Caravel
1965 17' Caravel
Memphis , Tennessee
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 208
Images: 21
Stef,
Thanks for posting the specific bulbs you used. I'll be doing this also, hopefully soon. Your Caravel is looking great!

Dingo,
You weren't asking me but I wanted to share what I used. Watco Danish Oil. If you read your original owners manual it was what Airstream recommended back in the day and it is still made today. It is great stuff that penetrates the wood and leaves a rich finish. If yours is original it is what would have been used originally.
__________________
1965 Airstream Caravel, 2003 Ford F150 SuperCrew, 2003 Miata Special Edition, 1993 Miata Black & Tan
Jewel65 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-08-2016, 02:45 AM   #12
Rivet Master
 
Dingo Girl's Avatar
 
1967 17' Caravel
Oak Creek , Colorado
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,552
Images: 3
Watco Danish Oil. Thank you!
Dingo Girl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-08-2016, 12:15 PM   #13
Moderator
 
Stefrobrts's Avatar

 
1968 17' Caravel
Battle Ground , Washington
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,253
Images: 50
Blog Entries: 1
I just did spring cleaning, and that involved a round of wood care as well. I use the Howards Restore a Finish, followed up with the Feed-n-wax, which is beeswax and orange oil. Looks beautiful and smells great in there when it's done.
__________________
Stephanie




Stefrobrts is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-08-2016, 02:29 PM   #14
Rivet Master
 
Antique Pedaler's Avatar
 
2010 25' FB Flying Cloud
Currently Looking...
Laramie , Wyoming
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 829
Images: 11
Blog Entries: 1
The inside of our Bambi II is 100% LED. But I bought all the bulbs on EBay for less than $2 each. They're all Chinese, no matter who's selling them. All the sockets in my trailer take 1156 bulbs. I power them with dual 6 volt batteries. So far we've boondocked up to 5 days in summer without draining the batteries.

We also use only Watco Danish Oil on its woodwork.

All the interior lights on our 2010 FB are also LED. Those sockets are both 1156 and 2-pin high intensity.

In addition to the low electricity pull of LEDs we also enjoy the absence of the heat the original bulbs put out.
__________________
Antique Pedaler
2021 Caravel 20 FB
Antique Pedaler is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-05-2018, 08:17 AM   #15
Rivet Master
 
Dingo Girl's Avatar
 
1967 17' Caravel
Oak Creek , Colorado
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,552
Images: 3
Ordered half my bulbs today.
Thanks again for all the info @stefroberts & the courage to tackle this Caravel project.
You don't know how much I appreciate your thread. 😊😊😊😊😊😊😊
Dingo Girl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-12-2018, 09:06 AM   #16
Rivet Master
 
Dingo Girl's Avatar
 
1967 17' Caravel
Oak Creek , Colorado
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,552
Images: 3
Started installing the LEDs in the cone lights.
The first one popped in jack rabbit.
The second & third would go in but not twist & lock in place.
After looking at the difference between the two it was apparent that the reflective cone inside the shade on the one that would NOT go in was not pushed in as far as the reflective cone on the good one.
After much struggle & an imprint in my hand that will be there awhile I was able to push it on a bit further. The bulb went right in and locked in place .
It was a matter of about a 1/16 of an inch or less.
I only had to take the nut off the switch and pull the guts of the light out a bit to work on it.
Hope this helps someone with the same issue.
Dingo Girl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-12-2018, 10:30 AM   #17
Rivet Master
 
Dingo Girl's Avatar
 
1967 17' Caravel
Oak Creek , Colorado
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,552
Images: 3
The space that was too great is between the arrows. Click image for larger version

Name:	20180812_122918.jpg
Views:	182
Size:	46.1 KB
ID:	319667
Dingo Girl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-13-2018, 12:07 AM   #18
Moderator
 
Stefrobrts's Avatar

 
1968 17' Caravel
Battle Ground , Washington
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,253
Images: 50
Blog Entries: 1
That's how it is with old trailers - always some little surprise! Glad you got it to cooperate!
__________________
Stephanie




Stefrobrts is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-18-2018, 12:53 PM   #19
Rivet Master
 
Dingo Girl's Avatar
 
1967 17' Caravel
Oak Creek , Colorado
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,552
Images: 3
Hi Stef,
could please you tell me if your cone spot lights have the double contacts in the socket?
I noticed the new leds bulbs are single contact but my light sockets have double contacts.
Same with the square ceiling lights.
I don't want to plug the trailer in and do harm.
Thank you!
Sherri
Dingo Girl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-19-2018, 05:01 PM   #20
Moderator
 
Stefrobrts's Avatar

 
1968 17' Caravel
Battle Ground , Washington
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,253
Images: 50
Blog Entries: 1
Hi Sherri, I just went and looked at the cone lights over the dinette and the square ceiling light, and they are both single center contact. Odd that yours would be different! I dont know if it would hurt anything, most likely they just wouldnt work.
__________________
Stephanie




Stefrobrts is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
caravel


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Mystery LEDs/Lights on side Minno Lights - Interior & Exterior 6 04-20-2009 05:49 PM
Replace POWER-HOG-HOT HALOGENs w/LEDs = Easy al66pine Lights - Interior & Exterior 4 11-01-2008 10:27 AM
LEDs for control panel? gparker Lights - Interior & Exterior 0 02-20-2007 10:27 AM
replace control panel with LEDs, Anyone?? jpsdo Electrical - Systems, Generators, Batteries & Solar 8 08-19-2006 08:54 AM
Bargman 99 & LEDs? walter1 Electrical - Systems, Generators, Batteries & Solar 27 03-10-2006 06:59 AM


Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 05:08 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.