Technical Replacing light bulbs with LED types - some help needed

[Robert56]

My 2001 Fiat Ducato campervan is fitted with bulbs which consume quite a lot of power. This is not so great when we camp off grid.

I am struggling to get access to the ceiling bulbs. These are in circular holders (photo attached) but if they are push fit then they are very very tight. I don't want to break them!

The total diameter including the chrome bezel is about 75mm

Any idea how they should be removed for access to the bulbs?

Thank you.
Robert

 

[Communicator]

My 2001 Fiat Ducato campervan is fitted with bulbs which consume quite a lot of power. This is not so great when we camp off grid.

I am struggling to get access to the ceiling bulbs. These are in circular holders (photo attached) but if they are push fit then they are very very tight. I don't want to break them!

The total diameter including the chrome bezel is about 75mm

Any idea how they should be removed for access to the bulbs?

Thank you.
Robert

Simples. You prise off the gold effect surround. This can be done with fingernails, no other tool necessary. To be sure I have just tried on identical fittings on my ih which were converted to LEDs many years ago.

 

[Robert56]

Thanks so much for your advice. Can you tell me the type of LED bulbs I will need to get please. With a link if possible.

 

[Communicator]

Thanks so much for your advice. Can you tell me the type of LED bulbs I will need to get please. With a link if possible.

That is a more onerous question.
For maximum light outputI used the 12 LED 3W version identical to those in this Ebay advert. There is a serious but in that the pin spacing is incorrect as it does not meet the G4 bulb spec. The pin spacing is 0.2", or 5.08mm, where It should be 4.0mm. I desoldered pins, removed spacers and resoldered pins closer to correct spacing, with some cropping of pin length then OK. I think that I have 12 in use, with no failures. Lighting fuses have been reduced in rating to be closer to reduced load current. This alternative again from Ebay may have correct pin spacing, as no pin spacer evident, but will have lower light output.

The batteries in my PVC are located one under each front seat, and the original wiring is not well engineered. After rewiring I have managed to fit 2 off dual purpose 100Ah batteries from ABS.

 

[Robert56]

Despite me being very careful, my first attempt to remove the ceiling light surround ended as showing in the photo. They might have become more brittle with age or I could have been unlucky. Have you any idea where I might find replacement surrounds? Otherwise I'm facing with replacing the whole fitting.

 

[HughJampton]

If they're that brittle you will probably be better off using new units. The viability of this depends on the current cut-out size and available depth, but it shouldn't be considerably more expensive than sourcing good-quality led bulbs.

Plenty of outlets, but I have found Aten to be reliable and they are generally well regarded. Their options can be checked here:

Recess Mounted LED Light Fittings

Recess mounted light options ✔ Options of black, white, nickel, chrome, gold & more ✔ Shop full collection of products here →

www.atenlighting.co.uk

 

[Robert56]

Thanks, I'll check out the link.
They say you often have to break before you mend!

 

[Communicator]

I doubt that you will be able to purchase the ring on its own. As Hugh suggeats you may have to replace the complete fitting. The actual brand is "NOVA", and there are some switched examples on Ebay, see here. Another possibility is "O'Learys" near Beverley. They are an acclaimed source of hard to get parts for MHs and similar vehicles.

 

[Robert56]

Thanks.
I've found a whole replacement unit which screws into the ceiling in the same way as the old ones.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dream-Lighting-Downlights-Commercial-Motorhome/dp/B00YU36M50/ref=pd_ci_mcx_mh_mcx_views_0_title?pd_rd_w=HL116&content-id=amzn1.sym.d63274d0-bf52-45e7-ae69-2bcf85c5865c%3Aamzn1.symc.ca948091-a64d-450e-86d7-c161ca33337b&pf_rd_p=d63274d0-bf52-45e7-ae69-2bcf85c5865c&pf_rd_r=43FTFVC73W461ERZ2VC8&pd_rd_wg=Pv00p&pd_rd_r=0aa9f677-48d4-47d3-9f44-afe990ae416d&pd_rd_i=B00YU36M50&th=1

So I might buy a pack of two and see how they go.
The wiring on the originals is to bullet type connectors so I should be able to get these easily enough.

 

[Communicator]

Thanks.
I've found a whole replacement unit which screws into the ceiling in the same way as the old ones.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dream-Lighting-Downlights-Commercial-Motorhome/dp/B00YU36M50/ref=pd_ci_mcx_mh_mcx_views_0_title?pd_rd_w=HL116&content-id=amzn1.sym.d63274d0-bf52-45e7-ae69-2bcf85c5865c%3Aamzn1.symc.ca948091-a64d-450e-86d7-c161ca33337b&pf_rd_p=d63274d0-bf52-45e7-ae69-2bcf85c5865c&pf_rd_r=43FTFVC73W461ERZ2VC8&pd_rd_wg=Pv00p&pd_rd_r=0aa9f677-48d4-47d3-9f44-afe990ae416d&pd_rd_i=B00YU36M50&th=1

So I might buy a pack of two and see how they go.
The wiring on the originals is to bullet type connectors so I should be able to get these easily enough.

IH used 2mm wiring on my PVC, and tried to loop two such wires into blue 5mm bullet connectors which are only intended for 2.5mm conductor csa. The resulting mess was wrapped in insulation tape. I instituted a programme of replacing all the supply side bullets with the more suitable yellow size, with female on the live side. Blue 5mm bullet connectors will mate with these, but you may have to at least double back the conductors on the lamp tails.

 

[AnthonyH]

Its pretty much always easier to buy more spare power than make alterations to save power. You could buy another spare battery, thats what i'd do.

 

[Robert56]

I understand what you mean but in my van the 12V wiring is a bit 'lossy' so when I have a lot of lights on then the voltage drops below 12V which is not great.

 

[Communicator]

Its pretty much always easier to buy more spare power than make alterations to save power. You could buy another spare battery, thats what i'd do.

As I stated in post #4, IH fit a battery under each front seat. Stowage space is at a premium in a PVC, and an additional battery would need to be connected into the system. Changing to LEDs was a game changer, but I had the additional aim of improving the level of illumination.
I have considered the lithium option, but even some 100Ah lithium batteries will not into the isri seat bases, where absolute maximum length is 306mm, or 12", and I would need to confirm that with a prepared measuring gauge (stick). I have discovered one 125Ah lithium battery that may fit, but it is very expensive.

 

[Reg 65]

I have 2x019 100ah batteries under each of the 2 front seats in the X2/50/X2/90 2006 on but don't know if the seat bases are the same as the X2/44?

 

[Communicator]

I have 2x019 100ah batteries under each of the 2 front seats in the X2/50/X2/90 2006 on but don't know if the seat bases are the same as the X2/44?

Apologies to Robert56 for carrying using his thread.

I think that IH replaced the original Fiat seat bases with ISRI bases and turntables. The bases are made from heavy gauge guesstimated at 20mm tube which overlaps sideways at the base. This restricts the maximum length of a transverse mounted battery to 306mm, which is subject to confirmation. My XD27 batteries are 302mm long. It may be possible to mount lower height batteries lengthwise, but a special support frame would be required and height then again becomes a consideration. Incidentally the seat and turntable are also hefty items. Both need to be removed to access the battery.

 

[Reg 65]

I just packed pieces of plywood around and over my batteries to fill out the gap between the batteries and the frame, with a strap over the top. Stops them moving, protects them from chafing, with an insulated sheet over the top held down by the strap for extra insulation of the cables and terminals. Holes cut in the plywood for ventilation and cooling.
I think strictly speaking you are supposed to use a metal clamp, but they are secure and very well insulated, and strictly speaking the batteries shouldn't be inside anyway but in an externally ventilated locker.?