No Amber Porch Light

[Scoutr2]

So . . . I just returned from the first weekend camping trip with my new Jayco - 2015 32 RLDS. Everything worked just fine! But I saw one drawback.

Although the LED light strip beneath the awning provides plenty of light for eating, playing cards, etc, it draws lots of bugs to the door and is really too bright when I just want to sit by the campfire in a dimly lit setting. My last trailer had an amber porch light just outside the door. That was perfect lighting for campfire time and attracted few insects.

There isn't any 12V wiring near the door that I can find (inside cabinets, etc,). I've thought about a battery powered light I can attach outside, but I searched the internet, and nobody seems to offer any such product.

Anybody have any ideas?? Or know of some place to order such a light?

[NVGun40]

I love the LED light strip. Though I rarely leave it on. We still utilize the old coleman gas lantern outside. Since the mosquito's here in Alaska are known to carry away small animals we also utilize Thermacell repellant units. This keeps all the bugs away.
Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the trailer above the shower is an amber light, which I would rather have a clear lens there. As well, I cannot figure the logic of why they went to all LED's inside the TT and the LED light strip outside under the awning, an LED on the power jack, but left regular incandescent bulbs on the amber light above the shower, and in the accessory light on the front of the trailer behind and above the hitch....

[rryman]

……...Since the mosquito's here in Alaska are known to carry away small animals………
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Man, I need to get out more. I still can't picture the word "Mosquitoes" and "Alaska" being used in the same sentence!!

[NVGun40]

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Man, I need to get out more. I still can't picture the word "Mosquitoes" and "Alaska" being used in the same sentence!![/QUOTE]
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The common side joke here in Alaska is that Mosquitos are the unofficial state bird. They are very very thick during June and they are unusually big compared to mosquitos from the lower 48.

Texans like to say everything is bigger in Texas. Alaskans like to remind Texans that we can cut Alaska in half and make Texas the third largest state. We can even cut Alaska into thirds and make Texas number 4.

[Flyrotor]

I know the amber lights do not attract bugs quite as much as do the white lights, but I still find them flying around the lights.

I do the same as NVgun, I use the classic coleman white gas lanterns and place them out on the perimeter and let it draw the bugs away from the trailer

[Murff]

Did you know, you can get amber globes for your old Coleman gas lanterns?

Murff

[tslarson]

I miss my amber porch light too. The LED awning lights are just too bright, although I have just ordered a dimmer for them. I do have an amber light below the door, but it is only on with the awning lights. On my to do list is: 1. Install LED dimmer. 2. Split circuit and have awning and amber stair light on separate switch. 3. Install amber porch light.

[djtho1]

I also miss my amber porch light. It was "just enough" sometimes. We love the light from the strip, but sometimes it would be nice just to have a little bit of light. I don't know how to add one, though.

[Tunce the traveler]

From what I've seen those LED lights aren't used that often. People we visit with from here and there prefer the warm glow of the fire or just a lantern. It's too bright to watch TV outside because the TVs are mounted on or very near the TT or RV and it's like looking at a billboard. I can just see a new rule " lights out at 10 PM".

[Seann45]

Off topic:
2 Saskatchewan Canada mosquitoes were seen carrying off a human baby. One mosquito said to the other one "should we eat him here or take him back to the bush first?" The other said "Better eat him here if we take him into the bush the big guys will take him away from us."

[Dirkdaddy]

Yea, Alaskan mosquitoes. My only experience was March and even with 4' snow on the ground by Kenai area during the day they would come out..but then must have a place to hide as at night it would be 15 F or so degrees. I was impressed I saw any of them since it was really still winter!

Back on topic - I have a older TT and I just changed out every bulb to LED, its simple and takes a few seconds. I got a couple packs of them on ebay direct from china and it was cheap. Not sure about Amber but you could check.

The seller I used although there are many - topautozone1



I'm really super stoked with the results, makes my older trailer look very fresh and bright inside, uses a fraction of the power when I'm boondocking.

[eightOsix]

Agree that on our new 20MRB the amber light in the "back yard" will seldom get used. Would prefer to have it out front.

[Scoutr2]

Originally Posted by tslarson

I miss my amber porch light too. The LED awning lights are just too bright, although I have just ordered a dimmer for them.

Where did you order the dimmer switch from?

[Imnaha.Mansion]

We use Solar yard Lights, cheap, easy to move. I don't think they come in amber.

[tuckerdog1]

A few weeks ago, we were shopping for our 1st TT. One on display had white LEDs lit up along the awning. I commented I'm not a fan of fancy colors, but thought that might be better than white light because of the bugs. The salesman said white LEDs glow at a wavelength that does not attract bugs. I had a feeling the manure meter was pegging at max

Fred

[Tim L]

Actually, that is true. MOST LED's do not emit the spectrum MOST bugs like. I looked into this a year and a half ago or so, when replacing my home outdoor porch lights. I purchase 40W equivalent CREE bulbs at Home Depot, added a photo cell to the circuit, and all four of my entry door lights are on dusk to dawn. No mass of insect corpses, and no spider webs around waiting for insects. Now, if YOU are sitting out, and Mosquitos attack, that is not the LED's fault. Mosquitos feed on living bodies, and are drawn to the CO2 you exhale. Hold your breath...

[THE MEEKER]

Yep, The LED Strip light is much too bright. I came up with a solution.
Light Fixture from Home Depot = $17.00
Space Saver plug = $4.00
Small Piece of magnet strip = $3.00
Total = $24.00 + tax.
Fits over outside plug. I use a 40 watt bulb. You can also use amber bug light as well.
Just enough light to make it cozy.
Unfortunately, will not work on 12 volt, which for me, is hardly ever. When I dry camp. a vintage 1952 Coleman Lantern works like a charm!
Happy Camping!

[tslarson]

Originally Posted by Scoutr2

Where did you order the dimmer switch from?

I ordered this one from Amazon, I hope to install it this weekend.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[maromeo]

We are on our 3rd set of LED strip awning lights. While it was in for warranty work, we had them install a porch light. They grabbed power from behind the fridge and installed it between the outdoor speakers. It is a motion sensor light. We will try it out this weekend to find out how we like it. Wr had it put in as a backup if and when the awning lights fail again.