Are you tired of the look and feel of your RV, but don’t want to fork out the money for a new one? Well, you’re in luck. As part of the new RV Tech Tips web site and news letter, we are going to discuss many of the ins and outs of RV renovation and makeover. Included will be products and procedures that folks can use to make their RV more like home.
Some people like to take an old, classic RV and completely restore it from the ground up, while others prefer to take a much newer RV and make small changes that make their coach more their own. While this won’t be the be all and end all of RV makeovers, it will include many useful pointers the editors and staff have come across over the years.
One of the easiest things you can change in an RV is the lighting. Today, 12 volt DC RV lighting is readily available for replacing the lighting in your RV.
SAFETTY NOTE: Electrical modifications can be hazardous, or even fatal if done improperly. Incorrect or insufficient wiring can lead to short circuits, which can lead to fire. If you’re not comfortable with wiring and electrical, please refer this work to a qualified RV service person.
Selecting lighting is entirely up to you. In a future article, we’ll talk in more detail about the types of lighting and equipment available for your use. The sky is just about the limit, with the lighting and dimmer systems available today, so stay tuned.
Of course, before working on the electrical system, make sure that the power in the coach is off, and the batteries are disconnected. In some cases, you can use the existing wiring and circuits for the new lighting. However, it is absolutely essential that you do not exceed the amperage rating of the existing circuit. DO NOT, under any circumstances, replace a fuse with a larger amperage rated fuse. The wiring in that circuit is calculated for a particular load, and overloading the circuit can cause a fire. Don’t worry, though.. if you’re replacing a fixture for a fixture, as long as the new fixture is the same amperage rating as the old, you’ll have no problem.
There are also a number of new exterior fixtures available for your RV to help illuminate the outside. You can replace existing fixtures, or add your own. On neat thing you can do is something I’ve seen on our local fire trucks. They have taken 4 inch round white light fixtures, and have bought brackets for them and bent them so they point down at a 45 degree angle. By wiring into a switch, using a relay setup which is run back to the battery compartment, you now have bright ground lighting around your coach. These can also be wired into the reverse circuit to make for illumination while backing into a dark campsite. Not even the highest end coaches come with a feature like that!
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