Adding reading lamps - wiring question.

Sounds like a good idea, only thing is to consider using LED lights instead of the incadecent ones. They are much cooler, and use a lot less current. I am not co concerned about the current usage as I am about the hot bulbs, as I have seen several fixtures and wiring turned black from the heat. I just replaced one fixture with LED strips from IKEA, which was a simple fix and inexpensive also. Previously in you bedside lights, I replaced the bulbs with LED bulbs, but am not too pleased with the ones I got. I think there are better ones on the market now, so I try to keep an eye on what is available.

I have used both solder and tape, and wire nuts. Both have worked very well.

The OEM used wire nuts and it is easy to add additional lights to the wire nutted connections.

myredracer wrote:
If you want a very reliable quality splice in a dry application, go with a crimped butt connector or solder them along with a wire nut or heat shrink tubing. Never just twist them and put tape on them. I always use butt connectors in our TT for 12VDC - they're fast, low cost, very mechanically reliable and strong, good for higher currents and no 120VAC needed for a soldering iron. Another advantage of butt connectors is that the wires are inline and take up no extra space compared to a wire nut.

For crimping 3 or more wires together, you will need closed end crimp caps:

A basic low cost wire stripper & crimper like this is good enough and you can leave it in your TT along with your other tools and you'll be able to make splices anywhere while on a trip.

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If you want a very reliable quality splice in a dry application, go with a crimped butt connector or solder them along with a wire nut or heat shrink tubing. Never just twist them and put tape on them. I always use butt connectors in our TT for 12VDC - they're fast, low cost, very mechanically reliable and strong, good for higher currents and no 120VAC needed for a soldering iron. Another advantage of butt connectors is that the wires are inline and take up no extra space compared to a wire nut.

For crimping 3 or more wires together, you will need closed end crimp caps:

A basic low cost wire stripper & crimper like this is good enough and you can leave it in your TT along with your other tools and you'll be able to make splices anywhere while on a trip.

These are by far the easiest way to make low voltage connections. They come in all wire sizes. They are called T-TAPS. Place the alligator looking piece on the wire you wish to tap & crimp the spade on the end of the wire from the new appliance, insert & you're done.

I added lights in my previous camper. I stripped back the plastic coating on the wire and just used a simple wire nut. Then taped the nut and the wire with electrical rubber tape. I didn't have to cut the original wire at all. You can also use those crimping connectors, where you don't even need to strip back the rubber on the wire. They work very well too.

I would use taped wire nuts. A 12v circuit, you don't need a box.

Remember that an 1156 bulb pulls about 2 amps each. If you get too many bulbs on that curcuit, all turned on at the same time, you can blow the fuse. If you are using LED lights, disregard this warning.

Any of those except electrical tape alone. Being low voltage you do not need to put the connection in a box no matter the method.

I like solder and shrink wrap for vehicle wiring. Wire nuts should be used inside a box.

Taped splice taps are more than correct.