Lights inside a rooftop tent

[pwc]

Does anyone have some semi-permanent internal lighting setup for thier roof top tent that they'd like to share?

I finally unboxed the Eezi-Awn yesterday to try it out (on the ground currently). I like how dark it can be and that there seem to be many places to attach a light of some kind. I'm thinking more of a dome type light.

My ideal plan is to get a small solar panel outside the tent then run a wire under the platform and up to a dome. Either a dome light or maybe some LED rope lights or something.

Any other thoughts?

[articulate]

It would be cool, particularly a strip of LEDs. I think it could be done, too. Even though I pretty satisfied with using a headlamp, I'd like to see you execute this idea. :)

[stevenmd]

The only thing I have to say is this: this thread is worthless without pics! LOL... I never thought of putting lights in, great idea!:clapsmile

[Lost Canadian]

Hannibal might have one. At the Toronto outdoor show they had an RTT with a nice fluorescent light mounted to the inside wall of the tent. I'm not sure though if they set it up like that for display purposes only or if they actually sell them.

[Sgt Grunt]

I have been trying to find a good quality 12 volt light/fan combo with an extension cord long enough to get to a power source. The lights from camper shops seem to be kind of crappy. :confused:

[mountainpete]

Try those puck style LED lights. They are available at Home Depot and even Wal-Mart. Just stick them in the tent and push the centre to turn them on.

Another option is the ARB Adventure light - but it's pricey.

[jnelson4x4taco]

i posted this in another forum but i found the led puck lights at the dollar store

[Expedition Pictures]

I was thinking about this too when I was at Dick's Sporting Goods the other day and stumbled upon this:

http://www.coleman.com/coleman/colemancom/detail.asp?product_id=830-550&categoryid=5900

The Coleman Cool Zephyr™ Ceiling Fan with Light
Attaches to any tent ceiling using magnetic plate or carabiner clip (included)
•Four D batteries required (Batteries not included)
•Approximate run time is up to 24 hours on HIGH or 48 hours on LOW
•Features 4 white LED lights and one amber LED night light
•Fan and light are operated with independent controls
•Features soft-to-touch foam blades
•Dimensions: 9” Height (when hung), 8” Diameter

$26.99

[pwc]

Hmmm...my requirements are a bit different. I don't want to run ff of batteries except as a store for the solar power.
I'm thinking something like the strip at the bottom of this page will work
http://www.theledlight.com/flexible-ledstrips.html
that pulls .2 amps if I read it right, so hooking it up to the truck battery would be fine. Kill switch inside the truck. hmmmm

[HenryJ]

I have one of those fans. Tent/camper fans (http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1644&p=24444)
I like it.

An idea for fixed lighting: Wireless control lighting (http://www.s-10crewcab.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=5307)
I used one of the mid to late '90s GM fullsize under hood retractable lights inside my cargo box.

http://www.s-10crewcab.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10006/clight.jpg

installation of the reel hood light , and random adventures (http://www.s-10crewcab.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=59892)

[Mike S]

All our Maggiolina tents are supplied standard with a 12V interior light. You can also mount a 12V Hella turbo fan (folding type), a flat panel monitor, laptop, DVD player, 12V charging outlet for your GPS, sat phone, or whatever. I find the light very handy.

If you are going to add a light, I suggest a pair of 12V LED reading lamps. Use small aguge wire - nothing big is needed, and a 12V cigarette light type fixture at the end. All this stuff (except the tent) can be purchased at West Marine, or any well equipped chandlery.

M

[xcmountain80]

Solar sounds cool I use my ARB adventure light and run it off my yellow top optima. I also have but have not used sylvania dot it lights. They are mounted on the bottom of my Hannibal.

Aaron

[thallca]

I was thinking about the same thing. I do wan't to run power for rack top lights and tent power.

There is a tent light listed on Hannibal's website.

[xcmountain80]

As ar as power goes I lucked out. I already have a aux power plug attached to the bumper for cranking a air compressor, and jumping the occasional dead battery. So I modded a 3 outlet box to it and put the box in the tent so I can watch dvd's on my laptop or post the current days activities.



Aaron

[Green Ganesha]

So far, I'm just using the battery-powered LED puck lights. I found mine at Costco (http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11199310). I mount them to the interior frame of my Howling Moon tent with Mini Quick-Fist clamps (http://www.endroad.com/catalog/item/675042/2972336.htm), which I've screwed to the back of each puck.

[flyingwil]

King Kamper's use a LED strip that would work great if we could source the LED strip that would work perfect along the top pole.


Our Flexible LED lighting strips use less than 3 Watts per meter of 12V power. The light is cool white and very pleasant to the eye. It is integrated in the inside bow of camper roof so that it is permanently in place. The strips are maintenance free and impervious to moisture.

http://www.kingkampers.com/buying/images/LED.jpg

[Mlachica]

I either use a headlamp or an arb adventure light. I hang the adventure light over my head so the on/off is within reach. The cord reaches just fine but I plan on putting a few 12v plugs under the tent for the notebook or whatever else.

I've been eyeing those puck style lights, they seem pretty cool.

I really like the strip of led lights :iagree:

[pwc]

those strip lights on a dimmer is exactly what I'm thinking!

[flyingwil]

those strip lights on a dimmer is exactly what I'm thinking!

I agree... I did a search and mostly came up with 12V computer lights... There is a motorcycle LED strip that emmits a nice light, but seems to be too short, and lacks the rugged aspect of the one pictured above.

http://www.customdynamics.com/hyper_led_accent_lights.htm

http://www.customdynamics.com/Images/hyperbend800.jpg

[BlueHZT60]

http://www.littlite.com/

If you have 12 volts available. I have had mine for over 10 years. One beside bed, one in Maggiolina. Short of that the puck light from the Dollar Store works. Bob

[craig]

Peter,

I was at Boaters World yesterday and they had about 9 different models of 12V DC LED lights in there. Single LEDs, 4 LEDs, LED Dome lights, LEDs on flexible sticks, etc. It is definately worth checking out. I think they have a website with there complete catalog online.

Craig

[paulj]

The Coleman Cool Zephyr™ Ceiling Fan with Light

If you can find a way to hang it, the Zephyr fan/light could work well. I appreciated it on last month's trip in Oregon. It is just enough of a fan to reduce the stuffiness of a closed space. In 3 weeks of on and off use, the 4D cells are still going strong.

It has two light settings - 1 red led, and 4 white leds.

However, you probably can't store it in the tent while on the road. I stored mine on top of the dog's blanket in a rear window corner.

paulj

[spressomon]

If you can find a way to hang it, the Zephyr fan/light could work well. I appreciated it on last month's trip in Oregon. It is just enough of a fan to reduce the stuffiness of a closed space. In 3 weeks of on and off use, the 4D cells are still going strong.

It has two light settings - 1 red led, and 4 white leds.

However, you probably can't store it in the tent while on the road. I stored mine on top of the dog's blanket in a rear window corner.

paulj


It would be nice to find something like the Zephyr that operates off 12v...

[Mike S]

I went down to West Marine today and bought a goose neck 12V Xenon chart light that takes 10 watts. Also bought a small 12V swiveling fan. I will have them installed in the Maggiolina Extreme tomorrow, and will report on how this went.

Mike

[Colorado Ron]

Alot of people think of lighting from the top. I prefer to light around the bottom edge and have it shine up. That way on those bad weather days you can lay there on your back and read the latest copy of Overland and be comfortable.

[BMAN]

Chiming in a little late here but I simply hang one of my $10 wallyworld headlamps from the center bar of the tent. 2 whites or one red led provides enough light to do what I need to in the tent. And on the rare ocassion that we get inclement weather while camping here in AZ I would simply starp the same lap to my nugget as it was designed and read the night away.

[flyingwil]

Anyone find a good solution yet?

[atavuss]

scroll about halfway down and look at the combo light/fan from Fleetwood made for their tent trailers:
http://www.fleetwoodcampingtrailers.com/accessories.aspx#