Owner guides
Van lighting: complete DIY conversion installation guide
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One of the trickiest stages of a DIY van conversion in Australia is the lighting. Not only should your van lighting be effective, affordable and easy to install - but it should also add character to your campervan interior.
In this guide to LED lights for vans, we talk you through:
Key considerations when planning your van lighting
Popular van lighting ideas in Australia
How to install 12V van lighting in your conversion.
By the end of this guide, you’ll have a van that can be lit as brightly or as cosily as you like!
Banner image: Day For It_ on Camplify.
Disclaimer: Please use this article as a general guide. Always read the manual for any piece of equipment you use. We recommend consulting a certified professional, who should advise on and approve your work.
Key considerations for van lighting
Campervan example: Vanny DeVito_ on Camplify.
Energy efficiency
You should use 12V Light Emitting Diodes (LED) in your van conversion, rather than fluorescent or halogen lighting.
Most campervans use 12V LEDs because they are very energy efficient. Plus, they do not require you to install an inverter to boost the current from your 12V battery. That means you can conserve energy when camping off-grid. To top it off, 12V LEDs do not radiate heat and are long-lasting, affordable and available in a wide range of shades.
Colour
The colour temperature of your lighting has a strong influence on the feeling of your van’s interior. Think about whether you want a cosy, rosy glow or a cool, modern vibe. Lights are sold in different hues, measured in Kelvins (K):
<3500K: warm light
3500 - 5000K: neutral light
5000K>: bright light
Brightness
The brightness (luminosity) of the light is determined by its wattage. The higher the wattage of the bulb, the brighter the light.
Consider the brightness of the bulbs when planning your lighting. You may want to use lower wattage bulbs in the bed area so that it is dimly lit. Then you can use higher wattage bulbs in the kitchen area so that it is brightly lit.
Design
Most campervans use a combination of various types of lights, with different spaces needing different solutions. One of the most common designs is to use downlights on the ceiling, strip lights around the walls and reading lights beside the bed.
Van lighting ideas
There are six types of lights that are commonly used in campervan conversions:
Downlights - often used in the living and kitchen area.
Strip lights - often used around cabinets, shelving and countertops.
Reading lights - often used in the bed area.
Light panels and tube lights - often used for very bright lighting.
Dome lights - often used by those who want a low-maintenance option.
Fairy lights - often used to add a sense of cosiness.
1. Downlights
Campervan example: Frankie_ on Camplify.
Downlights are fitted in your van’s ceiling (similar to the downlights that you see in modern homes). Some manufacturers make 12V downlights that are designed specifically for vans and are more energy-efficient.
Downlights are best used in the living and kitchen areas of your campervan conversion.
Pros:
Affordable
Provide a lot of light
Look stylish
Cons:
Must be fitted before the ceiling is installed
Best downlight for van lighting:
2. Strip lights
Campervan example: Harlow_ on Camplify.
Striplights are flexible lengths of LED lights within waterproof plastic. These can be installed by simply peeling off the backing paper and sticking the strip light to the wall with the adhesive. They can often be powered by USB or a 12V power source.
Strip lights are best used to light cabinets, shelving and countertops in your campervan conversion.
Pros:
Can be cut to length
Can be joined to cover larger areas
Affordable
Cons:
Not very durable
Adhesive can lose its stickiness
Best strip lights for van lighting:
Jaycar Waterproof LED Flexible Strip Light (12V)
3. Reading lights
Campervan example: Woody_ on Camplify.
A reading light is a small spotlight that can be mounted on the wall and angled to shine in any direction. Many campervan conversions include a reading light on either side of the bed, so that one person can read whilst the other sleeps. Thanks to their small size, they are usually very energy efficient.
Reading lights are best used in the sleeping area of your van conversion.
Pros:
Small and compact
Can be angled to shine in any direction
Energy efficient
Doesn’t disturb your partner whilst sleeping
Cons:
None that we can think of!
Best reading light for van lighting:
QLED 12V LED Flexible Reading Lamp
4. Light panels & tube lights
Campervan example: Wonder Van_ on Camplify.
LED light panels and tube lights are slim, rectangular fixtures that mount sleekly on the wall and take up very little space. They are bright and provide plenty of practical light inside your van conversion. They are also simple to install and don’t require a lot of wiring.
Light panels and tube lights are best for those who want really bright van lighting in the kitchen and dining area.
Pros:
Very bright
Slim mount leaves plenty of headroom
Durable and practical
Cons:
Brightness can detract from a cosy ambience
May not be as aesthetically-pleasing as other van lighting options
Best light panels and tube lights for van lighting:
5. Dome lights
Campervan example: Wow Wagon_ on Camplify.
Dome lights are typically used in caravans and motorhomes. Although they are not as streamlined as other van lighting options, the dome design creates a wider and more distributed beam. Only two or three dome lights can illuminate an entire campervan. Plus, it is very easy to replace the bulb in a dome light (whereas other van lighting options may need to be replaced entirely once they blow).
Dome lights are best for those who want a practical van lighting option that is easy to replace once the bulb blows.
Pros:
Light is well distributed throughout the van
You only need to buy and install two or three lights
Easy to replace the bulbs
Cons:
Not as streamlined as other options (obstructs headroom)
May not be as aesthetically-pleasing as other van lighting options
Best dome light for van lighting:
Carac 36 LED Lamp Chrome Dome (12V)
6. Fairy lights
Campervan example: Lilly_ on Camplify.
Fairy lights are a heap of lights stringed together, normally used for decorative purposes. Some campervan conversions include fairy lights to create a sense of warmth and cosiness. They are affordable and run on portable solar/batteries, meaning they are very easy to install.
Pros:
Add character to your van
Affordable
Easy to install
Run on portable solar/batteries
Cons:
Usually not bright enough to light your van on their own
Can be damaged easily
Best fairy lights for van lighting:
How to install van lighting
Campervan example: Sunseeka_ on Camplify.
Step 1. Plan your lighting before installing the walls and ceiling
Plan which types of van lighting you will use throughout your campervan conversion before installing the van walls and ceiling. You must know where your light fitting will be so that you can cut the appropriate holes in the wall and ceiling panels before mounting them.
Step 2. Buy your van lighting materials
Head to your local hardware or automotive store and purchase the following van lighting materials:
Lights
12V light switch
Butt splice
Crimp blade terminal
Ring crimp terminal
14 AWG stranded wire
Soldering station
Step 3. Ensure that the campervan electrics are turned off
We assume that you have already had your 12V and/or 230V campervan electrics installed by a professional electrician. If you have not, see our guide to campervan electrics.
If you are not comfortable with the idea of wiring lights, you may want to use a professional electrician to undertake this project for you as well.
Before installing and wiring your van lighting, ensure that the campervan electrics are turned off. You can also remove the lighting fuse from the fuse box.
Step 4. Wire the van lights
Although the wiring process for most 12V lighting systems is similar, you should always follow the instructions that come with the product.
Each light will have one black wire and one red wire. Wire the lights parallel to one another by doing the following:
A) Connect all of the red wires together, which run to the switch
B) Connect all of the black wires together, which run to the bus bar
If you know how to use a soldering kit, you may want to solder the wires together. Alternatively, you can simply twist and crimp the wires together using a butt splice or at a point where a terminal connector will be placed.
Extra tips:
Use stranded wire, which can endure the tightness and vibrations of a van.
Don’t join wires with twist connectors, which can’t handle the tightness and vibrations of a van.
Before installing your lights and switches, you can always arrange and test your van lighting layout on the ground (this makes it easier to identify and fix issues).
Run a few extra inches of wire so that you have a buffer zone for any splicing mistakes.
If you have several wires running together, separate your splicing to avoid a cluster of connectors.
Step 5. Wire the van lights to the switch
One wire will run from your fuse box to the light switch. Use a butt connector when joining this wire to the switch (unless it has spade terminals, in which case you’ll need a spade connector).
The second wire will run directly to your lighting.
Step 6. Replace the fuse and turn on the power
Once your van lighting is all wire, you can replace the lighting fuse in the fuse box and turn on the 12V power. Then, hit the light switch and check that all the lights in your van conversion are working correctly.
Make money from your van conversion
Now that you’ve installed your van lighting, you’re almost ready to hit the road in your campervan conversion!
But what about those times when your campervan is not in use? Don’t let it sit idly in the driveway…
Make money from your van conversion by hiring it out through Camplify!
Camplify makes it easy for van owners to earn income from campervan hire in Australia.
Why Camplify?
Each year, heaps of Aussies earn up to $10,000 by hiring out their campervan through Camplify. It provides a quick and easy way to generate long-term passive income and earn a return on their investment.
And the best part is that Camplify takes care of many of the expenses involved in hiring out your vehicle, including:
Comprehensive hire insurance.
24/7 NRMA nationwide breakdown cover for hirers.
Dedicated customer support.
If you’re interested in joining Camplify as an owner, try our earnings calculator and see how much income you could generate each year by hiring out your unused campervan!
The information in this blog is accurate and current as of the date of posting. Please be aware that information, facts, and links may become outdated over time.