Interior Lighting Without Leisure Battery

[ChestnutBrown]

Still searching for the right interior roof panels and lighting. A couple of places have asked whether I have a leisure battery or just the standard van battery installed, but have not heard back from them since responding.

From experience, what are the drawbacks of powering this via my van battery, considering I don’t sleep in the van?

 

[Alster]

As far as I can see the two drawbacks of running the lights from your van battery are the risk of a flat battery and if you are taking the feed from your existing lights the feed will time out after 15-30 minutes if the ignition is turned off.

 

[DXX]

You could just use some portable rechargeable 12v lights or you could wire into the starter battery with a permanently live fused connection.
Most people avoid using the starter battery for the reasons already mentioned and the fact that they have other equipment that requires a leisure battery anyway.
Take into consideration that your van needs may change and it’s easier and cheaper to do any job once rather than re-work at a later date.
Whatever gets modified if it’s done well it should add to the resale value, if it’s done badly it may prevent a sale.

 

[ChestnutBrown]

Thanks guys. There’s a reasonable chance that I might get a Bluetti portable setup, or similar. Unlikely to go down the full leisure battery setup thought tbh.

My thoughts are to get either slots or LED strip type lights but most likely only to be used when opening the doors or possibly for rear passengers when I am driving maybe?

That sounds unlikely too as it’s usually annoying with light behind, although a coloured mood lighting whilst driving could be cool. Notes it will time out though.

I agree with not doing stuff twice though. Maybe the best option is to go for the Bluetti and have lights with a socket on them perhaps.

What. Don’t want to do is have lights that I don’t end up using if it’s a faff with either timing out or flattening the battery unduly.

 

[sparkzer]

I actually do both, when opening doors the back lights come on via the original wiring/vehicle battery but if i want to put them on for a prolonged period, a 2 way switch flicks across to the leisure battery. i have 8 small led downlighters they draw very little current so wouldnt worry about them flattening the vehicle battery quickly

 

[Phil1878]

I have a halo roof plugged into a jackery. Never done more than a long weekend but works well for me

 

[Stay Frosty]

Is there the slimmest chance that you might fit a stealthy pop top or kitchen in the van, sort of campery?
Just thinking out loud here but halo lighting, power stations and associated alternator charging add on boxes soon add up to a major spend on semi temporary fixes.

 

[ChestnutBrown]

Nope, I won’t be converting this into a camper, so no pop top on the horizon.

 

[The Bear78]

I planned to have a leisure battery when I did a bit of work on my interior a few years ago.
I did the standard sound deadening, insulation and carpet job. I made a halo roof with an led strip and added usb sockets, additional reading lights and tailgate lights in the back of my Kombi.
To save the battery I simply put all of the additional loads on relays which are energised by a piggyback fuse on the ignition live section of the fuse box. It's been faultless.
I have only recently made my own portable power bank and do intend to use it in the van with a DC-DC charger. However, it will be stay removable to allow its use in the tent while camping.

 

[maverick177uk]

Thanks guys. There’s a reasonable chance that I might get a Bluetti portable setup, or similar. Unlikely to go down the full leisure battery setup thought tbh.

My thoughts are to get either slots or LED strip type lights but most likely only to be used when opening the doors or possibly for rear passengers when I am driving maybe?

That sounds unlikely too as it’s usually annoying with light behind, although a coloured mood lighting whilst driving could be cool. Notes it will time out though.

I agree with not doing stuff twice though. Maybe the best option is to go for the Bluetti and have lights with a socket on them perhaps.

What. Don’t want to do is have lights that I don’t end up using if it’s a faff with either timing out or flattening the battery unduly.

I’ve gone the Bluetti route, I got an AC240 which can power a 12v system in the back, I’ve currently put all my wiring in for 6 spots plus switch and 3 12v sockets, this will all be connected once the carpeting is done. The Bluetti will be charged via a Charger 1 connected to the main battery of the van, then the Bluetti is connected to a 12v fuse box. This runs everything in the back and also I get 240v via the Bluetti for bigger items.

 

[The Bear78]

They're a good price at the moment. 2400 watt AC output is decent too.

 

[StratosFearXX]

If you're not camping in it then wiring in to the original lighting loom (from the starter battery) would be fine using LEDs in my opinion. LEDs take a tiny amount of power.

These use 0.4 watts for example:

Dimatec Recessed IP65 Mini LED Downlight - Chrome (Warm White)

Dimatec recessed mini LED downlight with a chrome surround and warm white output. IP65 rated - ideal for bathrooms in motorhomes, campervans & boats

www.12voltplanet.co.uk

 

[ChestnutBrown]

Thanks guys. That’s all really useful!

I think a Bluetti AC180 or 100 V2 is on the cards for me at some point, will mainly be used for USB charging plus a few 240v items for the odd overnight stay or a cuppa somewhere remote during the day. Will probably get the Charger 1 also.

As for the spots or LED strips, I will probably run that off the main battery as the power draw sounds very low for sure. Keeps things nice and neat then.

 

[DXX]

Thanks guys. That’s all really useful!

I think a Bluetti AC180 or 100 V2 is on the cards for me at some point, will mainly be used for USB charging plus a few 240v items for the odd overnight stay or a cuppa somewhere remote during the day. Will probably get the Charger 1 also.

As for the spots or LED strips, I will probably run that off the main battery as the power draw sounds very low for sure. Keeps things nice and neat then.

Make sure what ever you install is correctly fused and the cable is adequate to prevent voltage drop (big enough cross section and as short as possible).