Entry step downlight

[gklott]

We've not been pleased with our trailer door area lighting. At night, the ETI main side light is overwhelming, shines in your eyes as you approach the door, and is not a good step area illuminator. We also don't like illuminating the neighbors unnecessarily.

We searched for a marine-grade LED fixture that is inconspicuous, surface mountable, and focuses light on the step area. We settled on the IMTRA Corp Duxbury LED Downlight, ILIM70530. The case is white powder coated stainless steel. Dimensions are 0.75" x 0.3" x 3.5" W-D-L. Light output is 9 Lumens, with all 4 LEDs pointing down. Requires drilling three holes, one 1/4" for wiring and two #4 screw pilot holes. We used 3M Marine Grade Silicone Sealant, PN08017, to fill the wire and screw holes and to seal around the housing.





At night, the light is just want we wanted - down on the step, out of your eyes, and with minimal impact beyond just the ground at the door.



Power leads come thru the wall into the sink area. Got the positive (+) side 12VDC connection from a wire supplying switches by the door. Got negative (-) side power connection at two burner stove. Total power draw is about 0.5W.

We really like this modification. Because we relocated the awning switch to a new location, we used the old awning power switch to control the downlight.

73/gus

[Eggscape]

Looks good.

[rubicon327]

Nice addition and a high quality marine-grade fixture! It appears you used blue but I see they are also available in warm white and cool white. Also polished stainless without the white powder coat if one desires. I'm thinking these could be used along the lower edge of the trailer too which would be convenient if you needed to work on something outside or dump tanks, etc. after dark. This would similar to Oliver's exterior LED ground lighting.

[gklott]

Originally Posted by rubicon327

Nice addition and a high quality marine-grade fixture!

Thanks. We are now looking for a more downward-focused fixture to replace the ETI supplied curb-side outside light.

Originally Posted by rubicon327

I'm thinking these could be used along the lower edge of the trailer too which would be convenient if you needed to work on something outside or dump tanks, etc. after dark. This would similar to Oliver's exterior LED ground lighting.

Agree. If looking for fixed task lighting inside or outside, this fixture puts the lumens on the work area.

Overall, we try to minimize the impact of our trailer lighting. We like dark trailers to improve dark skies.

73/gus

[John in Santa Cruz]

imho, that would be nice in amber yellow

[gklott]

Originally Posted by John in Santa Cruz

imho, that would be nice in amber yellow

We wanted a red LED light, so I understand your desire for amber.

We could not find a red-color-output LED fixture with similar quality, brightness, and thin profile that was surface mountable. Hella and many other marine lighting brands offer downlights, but most required flush mounting.

Our next choice was the Lumitec Andros red-color-output LED fixture, which is available via Amazon.

We liked Imtra's longer-thinner profile and illumination-pattern better, and the blue works for us. Might still use the Lumitec downlight at other locations, such as above the door, water fill, tank discharge, etc.

73/gus