Replacing caravan clearance lights with LED

I think you have just answered your own question.
LED's don't need much power, what ever has run globes will have no trouble.
Apart from intial expense, you will wonder why you didn't do it sooner

The other problem is the hole for the wiring behind the old fittings. That may be nearly as large in diameter as the narrow width of the new lights. I was thinking of replacing the lights as well. I was thinking of mounting the lights on pieces of 16 gauge aluminium. I was thinking of earthing the lamp to that with one screw. Then I was contemplating screwing that plate to the aluminium siding with at least 6 self tappers. My thoughts was that 6 screws would maintain a good earth for many years.

Comments on my thoughts please.

Hi Ron,

I've posted a pictorial thread on the New Aussie Caravanners site in their technical section on replacing all of my clearance lights with LEDs

You may find it interesting and informative.

Regards from Col.

One thing I found with LED lights is that they use so little power. they need very good connections to make them work effectively, so I would pay attention to that

Hi Ron,
These are what you need.

12 Volt LED with festoon fittings

These 48 LED light panels are very good and give off a good amount of light and come with three different fittings to connect into existing light fittings.

I have them in my Jayco Sterling and are way cheaper than many other LED units.

Cheers, Bruce.

When I replaced the festoon clearance lights on my van with LED's I hated the thought of still using self tappers to fix the lights so I used 5mm Nutserts into the alloy sheet which gives a much better threaded mounting point.
Regards Andrew.

Hi all and thanks for all the input and suggestions,some of which look good.
Col,I followed up your pictorial link and it was good to find another caravanners site that will be useful. As for your refit,looks real good and very neat - good job.
Unfortunately I have some issues which prevent me doing the same thing.

After taking all the inputs and suggestions,here are my plans for any final comments.
But first,my situation in detail:

1.confession - I bought good quality Narva LED lamps well over a year ago without too much thought re "swap compatibility". I am stuck with them and need to use them as they were not cheap - have looked at the job a few times but haven't got it done yet -but now is the time (very frustrating having to jiggle and play with the existing lamps on the road to get them working even though they were replaced with identical new units two years ago).
2.My existing lamps have mounting holes(self tapped) 75mm apart.
3.The holes to feed the wire out of the van is off-centre to match the backing plates on existing lamps.(to get round the central bulb mounting arrangements in the lamps I suspect)
4. The new LED lamps have mounting centres 50mm apart and the cable feed is in the centre of the backing plate.Total length of new lamps is 75mm.

My plans:
1.goal: reduce the number of holes drilled in the van to an absolute minimum and use existing holes where possible.Create secure connections for the wiring.
2.make a "backing plate" of 8mm poly big enough to accomodate the new LED lights AND cover the existing mounting holes. Use the existing lamp mounting holes to attach the "spacer" if at all possible.(I may use the suggestion of nut inserts for this). Attach the spacer and use sikaflex for a complete all-round seal. Seal wire entry to van also.
3.Features of the spacer before install -
- a hole drilled in appropriate off-centre position to feed existing wiring through to back of LED mount.
- an enlarged hole in the spacer big enough to facilitate earthing of the LED lamp by attaching a small lug to the earth cable from the LED lamp and through this hole,screwing this down directly to the aluminium cladding. I am reluctant to try earthing
the lamp by putting the lug under one of the spacer attaching screws due to probable movement of plastic due to heat,etc (see mention in replies of need for very secure earth connection for low current LEDs).
- the 8mm thickness of the spacer is to give room for earth lug and cable to be fitted as there is insufficient space behind the LED Lamp.
4. Connect positive lead to existing positive wire and screw the LED Lamp to the spacer using self tappers.
5.The only trick will be to position the cable and earthing access holes in the spacer such that the new LED lamp backing plate covers these when the LED lamp is fitted to ensure a neat finish.

Lastly,not sure if the spacer material is right - poly(chopping board stuff)

Any comments or further suggestions welcome

Rgds
Ron