RV Microwave range light to LED!

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Forever I have wanted a different light over the stove in the RV. We dry camp, or "Boondock" most of the time in the RV and the original Microwave light required the inverter to be on in order to have a cooking light and that meant 40 watts (3+ amps for the inverter) just to be able to turn on the light, then there was the fact that the light was actually 80 watts (two 40 watt, E17 incandescents), for a total of 120 watts, or 10 Amps! Very battery draining for boondocking!

Enter LEDs, China, and Ebay! I had ordered and installed LEDs for some of my fluorescent ceiling light fixtures earlier  and so I decided to manufacture my own 12 VDC range light fixture and change out the one inside the microwave. 

 I used some 1-1/2" aluminum angle to serve as the fixture for both support and heat dissipation. I used clear RTV Silicone adhesive (I cleaned off the sticky tape from the LED strip) to mount four strips of nine 5630 LEDs (~21 LM per LED, ~4500K temp) for a total of 756 LM. 

 Got them all stuck on to the aluminum.

Testing!  That should be bright enough!

I ran the wires from the light fixtures next to the microwave that I had upgraded earlier with LEDs with added night light feature (actually it will be used as a morning coffee light). I installed a DC to DC regulator, mounted with 3M double sided mounting tape, to control the voltage for both fixtures, including the "morning" light. 

DC to DC voltage controller.

Double sided mounting tape.

 There is a cover I put over this jumble of wires!

 Installed, ready to close up!

Well, it was way too much light so I disconnected one of the four strips leaving 27 LEDs and 567 LM. Plenty of light, and we like the color temperature much better also.  Went from 120 watts (10 amps) to 6.5 watts (1/2 amp).

Now to install the regulators in the other fixtures I have upgraded!  Then on to other things, including getting out and using the RV.  I have been lazy since returning form the Appalachian Trail!

H.