Monday, Mar 10, 2014 at 12:20
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
AnswerID:
528029