James Cook Forum

Hi,
I have converted my upper bed reading lights to LED. Hopefully I have done it properly.

I found a 12v feed on the circuilt board that turned on and off with the light switch.

I wired the positive side of the LED strip to this 12v feed .(LED is a 5050 type)

I wired the led strip negative side direct to the negative line-in, by-passing the circuit board.

I have not secured the LED strip finally yet as i am still deciding on which colour i prefer, warm white, or white.

I enclose pictures of all of this below. Thanks

The two colours shown below,

Hi RT3,
I have converted most of the lights to LEDs but not the bedside reading lights or the bathroom light.
Upstairs I have been using a couple of Ikea rechargeable lamps but intend eventually to convert the bulbs as you are doing.
In the kitchen, the two under cabinet spots were giving me trouble - one wouldn't light up properly even though I tried swapping the bulbs over. My solution was to screw a couple of strip LEDs under the cabinets and wire them into the original wiring. Works fine.
If you check my profile you will find some threads I have on LEDs.
Warm white every time for me. The van is austere enough in U boat grey!

Hi,

I liked your 'grey' comment.

Yes, I think LEDs work very well.

I do use the very white light for the kitchen area, but the warmer light everywhere else.

Something important to me is not to do anything or add anything that changes the van in a way that it cannot be returned to original.

I don't drill holes in panels etc.

So, I try to work out ways to do conversions that are easy to return to original if nesessary without any signs of changes.

All the best.

I agree with you RT3, don't alter the integrity of the JC.
I have put the odd screw in but discreetly and use magnets for attaching a venetian blind over the sliding door.
I also had to re-inforce under the bathroom cabinet - it was agging - with an aluminium section but it's not visible - a problem Westfalia dealt with later.
I took off the Westfalia name back and front (one was damaged anyway) but am looking to get a couple printed to replace them.

Thats funny, i just had to do the same thing to my bathroom cabinet....
It was sagging....In 2005 they fixed it, but 2004 no.

I did try to get the original part, but it was impossible to find..for me anyway.

All the best

I just noticed you are in Eastbourne........If i bring my James Cook down your way (I have friends in Brighton) I'll give you a shout

RichardThe3rd hat geschrieben:Thats funny, i just had to do the same thing to my bathroom cabinet....
It was sagging....In 2005 they fixed it, but 2004 no.

I did try to get the original part, but it was impossible to find..for me anyway.

All the best

Here is the under cabinet mod I made:

RichardThe3rd hat geschrieben:I just noticed you are in Eastbourne........If i bring my James Cook down your way (I have friends in Brighton) I'll give you a shout

That would be fun - a rare meeting between two JCs in the UK! We could call it our UK Mini Treffen
Email me: bacarruda at gmail.com when you think you might be down this way. Overnighting is tolerated on the seafront!

Nice van! Here is my bathroom cabinet fix, similar to yours. I put a foam pad between the new bar and cabinet to tighten up the sliding door some more......If i ever take it off, I'll bend the support bar a little rather than using the foam, but its working well. Pictures below. Have you fitted a solar system?

Good Morning. I am another UK JC owner. I wonder how many of us there are. Richardthe3rd, can you let me know what LED strips you settled on in the end and where you sourced them? I would like to convert the fluorescents too in my JC.

Hi, sorry for the delay. I only just picked up your post. Yes, we should have a UK james cook meet sometime.

Here is what i used for the lights.

5050 warm white
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151563603317

connecting wire
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/181265453014

Halogen replacements
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/131610794662


Good luck, let me know if you need any advice.

Thanks Rt3. Have ordered the stuff from eBay as a result. A bit off topic but what have you identified as needing upgrading/ changing in the JC to equip it for travelling? I'm still getting used to mine- a manual 313 Cdi via Andy Brady but with a damaged nerve am regretting not going for a 316 Cdi auto. What is the auto box like?

Adrianlle hat geschrieben:Thanks Rt3. Have ordered the stuff from eBay as a result. A bit off topic but what have you identified as needing upgrading/ changing in the JC to equip it for travelling? I'm still getting used to mine- a manual 313 Cdi via Andy Brady but with a damaged nerve am regretting not going for a 316 Cdi auto. What is the auto box like?

Hi. I like my 316. Its a manual, which I like. An auto would have been ok too, but i found a van in great condition which was the more important aspect.
I did have cruise control retro-fitted (very reasonably) which i would now consider essential. It makes everything much more relaxing.
I have fitted the following which are all nessessary for my style of travelling:

a)LPG refillable gas tanks with filler fitted under rear bumber.......(i don't want to have to change tanks when filling in different countries)
b)300w solar panels. I had 100w fitted but it was no where near enough.
c)Extra usb sockets.
d)CBE CSB-2 relay. It allows charging of the starter battery when my leisure batteries are full from my solar system or on hook-up. Useful if staying in one place for longer periods of time.
e) Window alarm on the main large opening window
f) converted all lights to LED

Everything is removable without leaving a trace.....so no drilling or holes (Other than a usb in one of the cup holders- I bought a spare one)

Other than that, just a few repairs or replacing worn parts.

I have added gutter strips to the roof to divert water coming straight down the sides as the original gutters are filled with mastic where the GRP hi-top has been added.
Also some white gaffer tape under the roll out awning as, when it rains water drips straight into the door opening!