IdahoHunter
Senior Member
RV LIFE Pro
I finished installing a reading light on both sides on the bed. We have some trips planned, and when my back flares up (service connected problem), the best place for me will be laying down on the bed. Would be nice to have lighting to read, plus, the light will make turning in at night easier with a light within arms reach of the bed.
To do this, the lights needed to be flush mounts so the Murphy bed could still be stowed. I was able to tap into 12v's that's the input to the bedside USB ports. I originally wanted to route the light wiring behind the forward bulkhead behind the closet and down to the 12v, but I found there were wood cross-members that blocked the way. So instead I will secure the wiring down the front inside corner of the closet and out through a hole at the closet's bottom. From there it's a short feed down to the 115v outlet hole and then down to the USB port hole.
The light's instructions say to use a 2-1/2" hole saw, but I used one that's 2-1/4". That's big enough except the lights retention springs need a little more room. Easy fix with a Dremel to remove an extra 1/16" in two spots for the springs. That cabinet wall has double panels that are about an inch apart, which is just enough room for the light retention springs to fit. At first I tried to get away with just drilling the large hole on the outside panel and fed the wires through a 1/2" hole in the inner panel with a rubber grommet protecting the wires. Unfortunately, the space between the panels didn't leave enough room for the light to pivot completely. So, I drilled a 2-1/4" hole through the inside panel too.
The light I used pivots, uses LEDs, and is dimmable. The orange button in the middle of the light turns it on/off and adjusts the brightness too. On the highest output, it's very bright. I did snug the two Phillips head screws that are the pivot points because I wanted more pivot resistance to keep them aimed better.
The light I used, Amazon.com
This is after I had cut the OE 12v + and - crimps, added the wires that feed the light, and recrimped.
That top hole is where I originally wanted to route the wires to hide them better. I'll plug that hole. Might get a good matching plug from the discs cut out by the hole saw. So, I instead had to drill the 2nd hole down at the bottom. I haven't secured and dressed the wires yet.
Low brightness.
High brightness.
To do this, the lights needed to be flush mounts so the Murphy bed could still be stowed. I was able to tap into 12v's that's the input to the bedside USB ports. I originally wanted to route the light wiring behind the forward bulkhead behind the closet and down to the 12v, but I found there were wood cross-members that blocked the way. So instead I will secure the wiring down the front inside corner of the closet and out through a hole at the closet's bottom. From there it's a short feed down to the 115v outlet hole and then down to the USB port hole.
The light's instructions say to use a 2-1/2" hole saw, but I used one that's 2-1/4". That's big enough except the lights retention springs need a little more room. Easy fix with a Dremel to remove an extra 1/16" in two spots for the springs. That cabinet wall has double panels that are about an inch apart, which is just enough room for the light retention springs to fit. At first I tried to get away with just drilling the large hole on the outside panel and fed the wires through a 1/2" hole in the inner panel with a rubber grommet protecting the wires. Unfortunately, the space between the panels didn't leave enough room for the light to pivot completely. So, I drilled a 2-1/4" hole through the inside panel too.
The light I used pivots, uses LEDs, and is dimmable. The orange button in the middle of the light turns it on/off and adjusts the brightness too. On the highest output, it's very bright. I did snug the two Phillips head screws that are the pivot points because I wanted more pivot resistance to keep them aimed better.
The light I used, Amazon.com
This is after I had cut the OE 12v + and - crimps, added the wires that feed the light, and recrimped.
That top hole is where I originally wanted to route the wires to hide them better. I'll plug that hole. Might get a good matching plug from the discs cut out by the hole saw. So, I instead had to drill the 2nd hole down at the bottom. I haven't secured and dressed the wires yet.
Low brightness.
High brightness.
