Can the exterior 12v light be converted to 120?

[Mitten Mitsie]

I have a Trail Mite, very similar to the Boler and Scamp. All of the wires have been cut to every exterior light and there are no interior lights. There is currently a porch light that used to run on 12v. I've decided not to have a battery and not to run 12v wires. I'm going to only have 2 - 120 interior wall sconces. Does the exterior light have to be 12v or can I run 120? The light has to be replaced regardless. Has anyone seen an appropriate light fixture for this scenario? Obviously I wouldn't want anything with a glass dome.

[AC0GV]

Originally Posted by Mitten Mitsie

I have a Trail Mite, very similar to the Boler and Scamp. All of the wires have been cut to every exterior light and there are no interior lights. There is currently a porch light that used to run on 12v. I've decided not to have a battery and not to run 12v wires. I'm going to only have 2 - 120 interior wall sconces. Does the exterior light have to be 12v or can I run 120? The light has to be replaced regardless. Has anyone seen an appropriate light fixture for this scenario? Obviously I wouldn't want anything with a glass dome.

Fixture and wires (stranded not solid) will need to be changed to parts rated for 120 VAC (nominal). This old post is a good place to start.
https://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/...ght-46138.html

[John in Santa Cruz]

SO you'll never need lighting when you're not in an RV park with 120V hookups?

most 120V bulbs are *WAY* too bright for the outdoor 'porch' application, unless you like blindingly bright lights so you can ONLY see whats right next to the trailer. Also exterior RV lights are rarely really waterproof, and if they get wet inside, 120VAC can be a shock hazard.


I would consider getting a 120V to 12V transformer rated at maybe 5-10 amps, repairing the original wires and connecting them to this, then use 12V lamps in the existing outdoor fixture. that transformer will be quite small. something like this will handle up to 72 watts of lamps...
https://www.surpluscenter.com/Electr...er-15-1077.axd

hook the black and white wires up to your 120V distribution panel, hook the yellow wires to the 12V loads. Note this is 12V AC not 12V DC. regular light bulbs don't care, and *SOME* LEDs will work, you have to read their spec sheets to verify they support AC... the sort of LED that would work will say something like 9-24VDC and 9-18VAC.

[John in Santa Cruz]

no fan or furnace or water pump ? that stuff is all 12VDC too (well, the furnace is propane but needs 12V for its fan)

[AC0GV]

Originally Posted by John in Santa Cruz

most 120V bulbs are *WAY* too bright for the outdoor 'porch' application, unless you like blindingly bright lights so you can ONLY see whats right next to the trailer. Also exterior RV lights are rarely really waterproof, and if they get wet inside, 120VAC can be a shock hazard.

I replaced my wet light with the new style LED and found it too bright, I placed two layers of yellow electrical tape on it and it was still too bright. I added BLACK tape and now it is just right.

[Friz]

If you used 12v auto type LED lights/fixtures you probably could light the trailer with a 12 volt wall wart type power supply. Need one with filtered DC output, and use correct polarity on the LED's. Easily found at flea markets, junk stores, my garage, etc.

[Mitten Mitsie]

Originally Posted by John in Santa Cruz

no fan or furnace or water pump ? that stuff is all 12VDC too (well, the furnace is propane but needs 12V for its fan)

No. Very basic.

[Mitten Mitsie]

Thanks guys. It sounds like the simple answer is no. I might consider a small solar one. I don't think i want a battery just for the outside light. My plan is to only ever do campgrounds with electric. Mom alone with 2 kids and all.

[gordon2]

Why do you need (or want) an exterior light? I have one on my camper by the door with a yellow blub (yellow to reduce insect attraction). I sometimes turn it on for a short time when making a bath house run at night, otherwise I never use any exterior lighting except flashlights. Perhaps something like this will meet your needs for evening outdoor time, and be much easier than adding a light.
https://www.amazon.com/Vont-Hurrican.../dp/B00NPLSZF8

[chrisblessing]

Originally Posted by Mitten Mitsie

Thanks guys. It sounds like the simple answer is no. I might consider a small solar one. I don't think i want a battery just for the outside light. My plan is to only ever do campgrounds with electric. Mom alone with 2 kids and all.

I have two solar LED lights, one in either side of my Scamp. They have an always-on low illumination, and a motion sensor which temporarily increases the illumination. I use white Velcro to attach them. I've used them for several years and they still illuminate throughout the night.

[John in Santa Cruz]

I use one or two of these as table lanterns when sitting outside, you can light just one half or the whole 360 degree, and it can go from quite dim to rather bright. you can either stand them on a table, or hang them from your awning it recharges with any USB charger (type A connector), and it runs for dozens and dozens of hours on a low to medium setting. these are quite compact and small, I actually have 3 total.



.

[Glenn Baglo]

Originally Posted by John in Santa Cruz

I use one or two of these as table lanterns

And, what is it? Got a link or a brand and model?

[John in Santa Cruz]

Originally Posted by Glenn Baglo

And, what is it? Got a link or a brand and model?

oops, meant to link that in
https://www.goalzero.com/shop/lights...-lantern-core/

you can find these on sale from time to time at places like REI.

[Glenn Baglo]

Thanks.

[Mitten Mitsie]

Originally Posted by gordon2

Why do you need (or want) an exterior light? I have one on my camper by the door with a yellow blub (yellow to reduce insect attraction). I sometimes turn it on for a short time when making a bath house run at night, otherwise I never use any exterior lighting except flashlights. Perhaps something like this will meet your needs for evening outdoor time, and be much easier than adding a light.
https://www.amazon.com/Vont-Hurrican.../dp/B00NPLSZF8

There is presently a 12v light. I don't need one, i supposed. Usually I go tent camping and we don't have anything more than torches.