Additonal Reading Lights

abby · 10-11-2013, 08:16 AM

We’re ordering the "LED Interior Light Package" option for our 19 and we see that Escape also offers the option of additional "LED Captains Reading Lamps". My question is how many such lights would be useful (primarily for reading) and what would be their optimal placement?

Glenn

Dave Walter · 10-11-2013, 08:58 AM

If you like to read in bed, one or two in the bed area is useful. If you like to read while sitting in the dinette, that would be a good spot for another one or two. We added four captains lights and are quite happy with them.

abby · 10-11-2013, 09:16 AM

Thanks Dave. We'd be incline to do both, I think. Where'd you place your 4 additional lights?

Glenn

lefttee · 10-11-2013, 09:16 AM

We considered the captain's lights in our 19 but just went with the LED package alone. They are very bright and more than adequate for reading in bed. I worried that moving/lifting the mattress would impact the captain's lights. When I make the bed...a rather awkward proposition...I climb over the mattress, lift the back edge, and stand on the bed base while I tuck in the fitted sheets. Lifting the mattress that high tends to rub on the blinds and I wouldn't want anything hanging down from the cabinets that I could bump or destroy. I suspect most folks just reach over the bed to tuck in the sheets and lifting the mattress isn't an issue. Anyway...for us...the captain's lights would have been overkill.

Dave Walter · 10-11-2013, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abby

Thanks Dave. We'd be incline to do both, I think. Where'd you place your 4 additional lights?

Glenn

In the front dinette, we had Escape crew install the Captain's lights on the left and right sides of the trailer under the overhead cabinets. In the rear bed area, you must first decide what side of the trailer you will lay your heads while sleeping. We put the two Captain's lights on the passenger side under the overhead cabinets. (Of course, Jim Bennett would say they should have been on the driver's side -

).

cpaharley2008 · 10-11-2013, 11:03 AM

I'm having them installed in each corner also, you may need to change the bulb for reading, the only color Escape offers is the cool white in the captain lights, whereas the rest of the led's are warm white. You can always change the bulb later if you like, try it as is. But the standard lights put out enough to read by, whereas the captain's beam is more focused or concentrated in one area.

abby · 10-11-2013, 11:45 AM

Thanks all. Good info.

amirie · 10-11-2013, 11:56 AM

I bought a really great light from Camping World that goes around my neck and is a real nice light...LED light... Makes it easy when Doug is sleeping..

abby · 10-11-2013, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amirie

I bought a really great light from Camping World that goes around my neck and is a real nice light...LED light... Makes it easy when Doug is sleeping..

A worthy thought. Thanks.

dave1 · 10-11-2013, 12:42 PM

Headlamps. LED run on a couple or three AAA batteries. Great for reading, getting up in the night. If you put it on, it's always light where you're looking.

Dave

onetim · 10-11-2013, 02:31 PM

I have the lights in corners at the head of the bed in our 5.0. However, I'm not crazy about them. They are bright spotlights. I prefer a soft diffuse lighting for reading and I will eventually try to find a replacement for them. I suppose it's worth having them installed at the factory so the wiring is there and a simple matter to switch out the fixtures.

I replaced the stove vent light with an LED (10 watt bulb?) and like the dim soft light it provides as a nightlight or when watching television. I'm thinking of installing one or two similar bulbs above the rear dinette to avoid turning on the very bright overhead lights.

For reading I'm spoiled by my ZebraLight headlamp which casts a very flat, even, diffused light perfect for reading.

abby · 10-11-2013, 03:24 PM

Thanks all for helping us come to a decision. We've decided to go with the Captains lights at both ends and we'll modulate the light, as necessary, down the road. The idea of the headlamps, while tempting, is not my preference for curling up with a good tome and a glass of port. Thanks all.

Jim Bennett · 10-12-2013, 09:50 AM

[QUOTE=ice-breaker;34470(Of course, Jim Bennett would say they should have been on the driver's side -

).[/QUOTE]

You know it. LOL

I put two above the bed. What is nice about the ones I bought is the directional light they project, that does not get into my sleeping brides eyes.

I never put them at the dinette, and not sure I ever would. The lights there are more than enough to read by, and if I sit on the drivers side (beside the bath) the light does not shine on my sleeping beauties face.

RickM · 03-04-2014, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onetim

I have the lights in corners at the head of the bed in our 5.0. However, I'm not crazy about them. They are bright spotlights. I prefer a soft diffuse lighting for reading and I will eventually try to find a replacement for them.

Has anyone found a source for replacement bulbs? The originals are too bright, there are rated at 5600-6200K. I'm looking for more of a warm light, 3000K and under. The original bulbs have the MR16 GU5.3 base, AC12V and 1.2W. Looking around the internet there are very few sources of 1.2 watt bulbs, mostly in China with high shipping costs. I did find a few US based sources that have 3 and 3+W bulbs but would prefer the 1.2W.

cpaharley2008 · 03-04-2014, 08:21 PM

I think you may have to replace the entire light or at least the base socket to the conventional type. I bought some led bulbs in anticipation of the harshness but when I saw the bulb I realized I was SOL.

cargofool · 03-04-2014, 10:23 PM

could some kind of filter be placed over bulb to dim? i'm imagining there's some kind of lens that screws over the bulb?

KarenH · 03-04-2014, 10:43 PM

I don't find the captain's light too bright for reading but I do find the cabinet LED lights too bright in the winter evenings. Somewhere on this forum someone posted a solution (like putting a colored Saran® wrap type of covering over them) but I'll be hanged if I can find it.

LeonW · 03-04-2014, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickM

Has anyone found a source for replacement bulbs? The originals are too bright, there are rated at 5600-6200K. I'm looking for more of a warm light, 3000K and under. The original bulbs have the MR16 GU5.3 base, AC12V and 1.2W. Looking around the internet there are very few sources of 1.2 watt bulbs, mostly in China with high shipping costs. I did find a few US based sources that have 3 and 3+W bulbs but would prefer the 1.2W.

I found Feit bulbs at the local hardware store. They are 3000K. But 7 watts. The big draw was that they are dimmable, and produce much less Radio Frequency Interference than the standard bulbs. I knew I was going to be using more electricity, but it is still less than .6 amp and since we only use them a couple of hours a day, I figured the solar could easily replenish the batteries.

ChuckS · 03-04-2014, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickM

Has anyone found a source for replacement bulbs? The originals are too bright, there are rated at 5600-6200K. I'm looking for more of a warm light, 3000K and under. The original bulbs have the MR16 GU5.3 base, AC12V and 1.2W. Looking around the internet there are very few sources of 1.2 watt bulbs, mostly in China with high shipping costs. I did find a few US based sources that have 3 and 3+W bulbs but would prefer the 1.2W.

Have you looked at a light I sell for reading LED. Fiberglass Travel Trailers RV.
Chuck

Brian B-P · 03-04-2014, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeonW

I found Feit bulbs at the local hardware store. They are 3000K. But 7 watts. The big draw was that they are dimmable, and produce much less Radio Frequency Interference than the standard bulbs. I knew I was going to be using more electricity...

Not if you dim them to no more power than the stock lamps, right?

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