110v porch light?

[Sheryl M]

We've removed our 12v porch light, and want to replace it with a 110v light - something that runs off house power (AC).

Does anyone know of a source for a light like this -- something similar to the lights at this link: Compare Optronics Trailer Lights vs Optronics Trailer Lights | etrailer.com

I've read that page 2-3 times, and don't see anything that specifies whether the light runs on 12v or 110v -- or does it even matter??

Thanks!

[Kevin K]

Might have to look in the lighting dept of a major store. I don't think you will get a exact match for 110 volt.

[Donna D.]

Originally Posted by Sheryl M

We've removed our 12v porch light, and want to replace it with a 110v light - something that runs off house power (DC).

Does anyone know of a source for a light like this -- something similar to the lights at this link: Compare Optronics Trailer Lights vs Optronics Trailer Lights | etrailer.com

I've read that page 2-3 times, and don't see anything that specifies whether the light runs on 12v or 110v -- or does it even matter??

Thanks!

Just curious why you're interested in changing out a 12 volt.... if you plug your trailer into 110 and you have a converter the 12 volt light works. Or did you take the converter out too and I missed that?

[Sheryl M]

The converter may be there still, but the last time we were running on house power, the light did not come on, so it may not be. Would the battery need to be working to have power?

We mentioned to a friend (who was reshelving the closet) that we were thinking about swapping the lights. When we got back to get the camper, the light was already taken out... he thought we meant definite yes and went ahead with the project. Now I need to put a light back on. He went ahead and rewired the light, too, so now it just needs a fixture.

[Sheryl M]

Originally Posted by Kevin K

Might have to look in the lighting dept of a major store. I don't think you will get a exact match for 110 volt.

Kevin - is the light in your picture a 12v or 110v?

[Andy B]

Originally Posted by Sheryl M

We've removed our 12v porch light, and want to replace it with a 110v light - something that runs off house power (DC).

12 volt power is DC, house power (110 volt) is AC.

[Donna D.]

The switch in these type of porch lights are notorious for going bad.

[Casita Greg]

Just to straighten up some of the nomenclature boo-boos, and to alleviate some confusing descriptions noted in the above posts:

House power = 12 vdc
In your real house, (the one that stays in one place on a permanent foundation,) your "house power" is 240/120 vac. "House power" in trailers is 12 vdc.)

Shore power = 120 vac
The term used for 120 vac power, brought in via an extension cord, to supply 120 volt ac loads in your trailer or RV. This supplies 120 vac power to any 120 vac equipment you wish to run, and also supplies power to your 120 vac/12 vdc converter (if so equipped) to supply power to your 12 vdc "house" loads.

Which now begs the question... Why would you want to change the outside light to 120 vac? The converter supplies the 12 vdc power it needs from your 120 vac incoming power already, so in a sense, you are already using your 120 vac shore power to supply it (and everything else running on 12 vdc power).

Unless of course, you don't have a converter, which (just my opinion here) would probably be a better investment than converting the light to 120 vac. Low voltage, especially in outside or potentially wet locations would be much safer than 120 vac equipment or fixtures would be.

Inquiring minds want to know...

[Sheryl M]

No one seems to know if there is a converter. The guy working on the camper didn't seem to see anything that would lead him to say yes, there is a converter.
The camper battery is non functional. Yes, I know we can buy a new one, but probably won't anytime soon. When we camp, we are always plugged up to shore power.
The outside lamp no longer exists on the camper, so I need to find a new one. The outlet area of the light is now wired to 110v -- so finding something to hook right up to shore power seems the easiest.
Yes, I know it can all be rewired again.

Thanks for all the comments.

[Greg H]

You could just Velcro a led tap light to the trailer.

[Donna D.]

I can't imagine a 1994 Scamp not having a converter. My 1988 Scamp came from the factory with one.

How do you plug into shore power? Do you pull the cord out of the side and plug in? If so, where that cord leads to is the converter.

If you have one, and your RV tech can't find it... I'd find another RV tech.

YMMV

[Sheryl M]

I'll have to look again. I've been browsing the forums here, and saw someone's solar light porch light installation. I like that idea.

Our RV tech is not an official RV tech -- he's a great cabinet builder who has added shelves to our side closet, and has extended the kitchen counter area into the curve so that I can place other items in the corner.

I will look for the converter. Thanks.

[Casita Greg]

Sheryl,
I would not argue that your "tech" is not an RV tech. I'm sure he is an excellent cabinet maker, however, I can't remember ever seeing a converter installed in a trailer or RV that couldn't be found straight off (if it exists). They all have a "face plate" where fuses/breakers are accessed, and should be blatently visible on some interior trailer wall or partition.

When you did use the battery you mentioned earlier, what was it hooked up to, and how did it get recharged? Some detective work is in order here to find out these basic questions.

I would highly recommend that you seek assistance from someone in your area who actually knows how to work on RV's, particularly electrical systems, even if it is just to point out where your converter is, or determine with some degree of fact that one doesn't exist in your trailer.

At least then you'd know where to begin your project.

[Donna D.]

Look for a retangle silver box like thing in the rear dinette cubbies. The one in my Scamp on the same side as shore power cord. The power cord is connected to that box.

[cpaharley2008]

You can go to Lowes to find an exterior barn type light that is waterproof, but first you need to be sure what your "friend" did to you trailer. Take the trailer unit to a rv place and they can tell you and give you answers re: converter and if the light is 12 volt and why it does not work. I hate to think that your friend wired the 12v light into a 120v circuit? You have many other 12v appliances in your trailer that you may not be aware of, pump, alarms,trailer brakes.

[Greg H]

" poof "

[Sheryl M]

Thanks for all the comments. I did watch the wiring process, so I know how the lamp needs to be wired, whether we go with AC, DC or Solar. Thanks for all the comments. I'm leaning towards a solar solution now.

[Ed Harris]

Just a little observation.
We are talking about a 13' trailer here.
No matter how much wiring would need to be changed or redone how could it be a huge deal?

Perspective?

[Darnelle]

Well, our first fiberglass was a '74 13-footer. Only AC/DC fixtures were an AC breaker box and interior lights (AC and DC), 1 interior AC receptacle, and exterior lights (DC). Nothing worked. The PO gave up on trying to fix and simply ran a 14-gauge extension cord out the port. I couldn't make heads or tails out of the "repaired" wiring so ripped it all out. Left the fixtures and re-wired and added a few amenities. Voila! Everything worked as intended! Moral of story: size doesn't matter.

[BigMike]

Originally Posted by Sheryl M

No one seems to know if there is a converter. The guy working on the camper didn't seem to see anything that would lead him to say yes, there is a converter.
The camper battery is non functional. Yes, I know we can buy a new one, but probably won't anytime soon. When we camp, we are always plugged up to shore power.
The outside lamp no longer exists on the camper, so I need to find a new one. The outlet area of the light is now wired to 110v -- so finding something to hook right up to shore power seems the easiest.
Yes, I know it can all be rewired again.

Thanks for all the comments.

Digging around today, I found half a piece of the top or bottom of the converter with the sticker still on it.That's all. Just a piece of it...Rust Gnomes got it!