Amber Porch Lights

[mossemi]

We travel with 2 dogs, so we are in and out several times a night after dark.  Being from Florida we are familiar with most types of flying bugs.  So the general routine is to kill about 50 bugs inside the trailer before going to bed.  The good news was that they are easy to see on the white walls.  My initial intent was to install a dimmer on the porch lights and that did not work with the dimmer I purchased.  I know there are dimmers that control a single light and others that control multiple lights.  The one I bought would not control both entry porch lights, but would control a single one.  It is fairly easy to dim an entire 12v circuit if you wanted to, but a little harder to do a specific set of lights.

 

So I decided to take a different approach and install amber lights.  The are made by the same company that brought us the black streaks most are familiar with, ITC.  These lights do not have a black gasket.  They are direct contact with a sealant of your choice and 2 screws.  They have a little larger footprint so they need new mounting holes.  They also have both white and amber lights so another power wire is necessary as well as a new 3 way switch.

 

I only did the curbside lights due to the cost being about $120 for lights and a switch and my uncertainty in their function.  My test at home were positive but last light camping by the water in 85 degrees sealed the deal.  The bathroom window was covered with bugs outside and the porch lights had a couple.  More importantly, I only had to get ride of 2 bugs before bed.

 

I'll order 2 more lights and complete the street side lights and I’ll reuse some of the old lights in the basement which will make me feel better about replacing things before they break.  And if I can get off my lazy butt, I’ll document my MOP and post it.

[mossemi]

Just wanted to show both amber and white lights for comparison.

[attachment file=Grenada Lake North Abutment COE 05202019.jpg]

[mossemi]

File didn’t upload.

 

[attachment file=Grenada Lake North Abutment COE 05202019.jpg]

[Overland]

Mike, where did you buy the lights?  I’ve looked but can’t find anyone that carries the amber ones. Were they a special order?

[mossemi]

Try this for the lights:  https://www.sailorsams.com/ITC-RV-LED-Porch-Light_p_14885.html

 

and this for the switches:

 

[attachment file=Round Rocker Switch .png]

Good luck,

[SeaDawg]

Years ago, we replaced the clear lens on our porchlight with an amber lens. Cost was about $10. I don't know if an amber lens is available for the newer trailers, as I believe they've changed brands.

 

Sherry

 

 

 

[topgun2]

Yep - I believe that those lights were changed with the 2016 models and as far as I can tell you can not get amber lenses for the new ones.

 

Bill

[DavePhelps]

Is this what you guys are talking about?

https://www.etrailer.com/s.aspx?qry=Bargman+Porch+Light+Lens

The Bargman fixtures are what came on our 2015 Elite. They came with clear lenses but I swapped them out. I really like the amber lenses!!
They are also available on Amazon. As far as the new fixtures go, I can't say.

Dave

 

 

Dave

[DavePhelps]

Oops,

posted in wrong spot.

[choied]

I am thinking about transparent orange/yellow tape might be a good option here as well, if a color change is all that is important.  Seems like a quick solution.  See photo below.

Edited January 17, 2020 by choied

[SeaDawg]

Chloed, what year is your trailer,?

We just changed out the lens to amber on our 2008. And changed the bulb to led type.

Somewhere in time (2016? Maybe), Oliver changed providers for the porchlight. Our old Bargman is still working,  12 years later. But, you may have a totally different lamp.

Sherry 

[choied]

Sherry,

I have a 2017 - so the new lights on my trailer.  But bugs are clearly an issue when they are around, so transparent orange tape will be the way I go for now.  Readily available on amazon and cost effective.

[RBD]

Did you apply the Amber / Orange transparent tape inside or outside the glass cover?

Thanks, RBD 2020 Elite 1 Hull #643

[ShallowGal]

I should've used amber ... 😁

[Geronimo John]

LOL Shallow Gal, you may be advertising the wrong message!  😘

Sorry, could not help myself.  Now back to the real question, where did you find the amber tape?

 

 

[Wayfinder]

I just put on this material on the entry way lights, on the LE-II 2016.  Real simple.  The material is quite thick and rubbery with one sticky side.  The directions said it was forgiving to move around a few times, and not to touch sticky side, duh.

I put it on at night, not a great idea, BLINDING.  But, the bugs that were there when I started, seemed not so interested in the lights after application of material.  At least the GA bugs.

I chose the Amber (orange) color.  It is NOT too orange with the light on.  It's a subtle change (not a drastic orange glow at all).  Quite nice.

I "might" have had enough to do all four thin lights on the LE-II, but I would have had to cut VERY precisely.  There is not a lot of material.  I only wanted to cover the entry lights anyway.

https://www.sailorsams.com/ITC-RV-LED-Porch-Light_p_14885.html

Lamin-x One 4 inch x 8 inch Universal Film Cover (Color : Amber)

[Jim_Oker]

Here's a possible option