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danimal53's avatar
danimal53
Explorer
Sep 21, 2015

adding LED light fixture

I want to add an LED light fixture to the underside of a cabinet above the bed. We have a Coachmen Clipper 17BH, and the only light by the bed is on the ceiling, which is a bit much and kind of a pain to turn off while in bed.

so adding one under the cabinets above would be better, easier reach and not as bright. the lights in the TT are LED, the "push click" turn on type. Does anyone know what this is actually called? there are no light switches anyway, just a spot on the actual light that you push to turn on. i'd like to match the rest of the lights so it's a pretty seamless install, but I'm having trouble even knowing what to search for.

thanks!

17 Replies

  • The biggest challenge might be getting 12 volts down to the cabinet. It's possible to fish wiring through ceilings, inside cabinetry, etc. I've done lots and it's not difficult but is time consuming.

    Check to see if there is a hollow cavity on the underside of the cabinet over the bed. The usually do and you can run wiring inside and also install a recessed puck light too. You can surface mount a new switch under the cabinet near the light. You would need continuous-on 12 volts for a switch. If you can get wire down from the ceiling light, you would have this. If you have other things on the ceiling near the existing light like a vent, you can take the trim down and gain access to the ceiling cavity to fish wire.

    A recessed LED puck light under the bed's cabinet would be a better choice as it will greatly reduce side glare from a surface mount light (like a standard pancake one). Try and check lumen ratings on LED lights before buying. Some list ratings and some don't, and some ratings aren't even close to what they claim. I bought 8 LED puck lights on ebay and they have worked well.

    If you are handy enough and are in there doing some wiring, you might also look at installing a wall switch for the overhead light. I did that in our TT by fishing wire down the wall and across the ceiling. Sure is nice not having to reach up to the ceiling and over the bed. In your Clipper, you could either add a switch at the end of the upper kitchen cabinet or another one on the wall where I'm guessing there already is one at the entry door. There is probably a hole in the top plate of the exterior wall that you can get another wire into. Or you can cut or drill a hole inside the ceiling of the cabinet. You might even look at installing a few more puck lights under the cabinets - under the kitchen upper and the under the L-shaped on opposite side in addition to bed upper. Replacing the pancake light above the sink will eliminate annoying side glare and may give more light depending on the puck light you choose.
  • ive checked amazon and other sources, but my question is if there is a correct name for this type of light. there are no wall switches/dimmers of any kind in the TT. they're sort of like puck lights, but you press the light itself til it clicks to turn on/off.

    searching amazon, hard to tell what requires a light switch, or what is more like what i have

    sort of like this touch light but wired, 12v
  • Nothing against Amazon but don't forget eBay. Search for 12vdc, RV, LED lights or any such. Try them all, you will get some different on each search. Lots of remote on off switches too. Gotta look at a lot of toads to find what you want.
  • check out a light at walmart, $14.95 LED 12 inches long, with a push button remote, battery operated. I mounted one over my medicine cabinet at a 45 degree angle.
    bumpy
  • Go to Amazon.com, and type "RV LED light fixture". Lots of options come up.