Lighting

• 12 volt dimmable warm white puck lights with a white body

• Nine ceiling lights arranged in two rows, with an additional light over the sliding door entrance and passenger swivel seat

• Three lights installed under the passenger-side overhead cabinets

• Four lights installed under the driver-side overhead cabinets

• Under-cabinet lights are divided into zones so they can be controlled separately (kitchen light, two lights over the passenger bed, two over the dresser, and two over the driver-side bed)

• All lights are controlled by a 12 volt dual dimmer switch with a traditional home-style design

• Dimmable lighting allows me to adjust brightness depending on the situation

• Evenly distributes light and helps define different areas of the van

• If one light stops working, the rest continue to function unlike a single LED strip system

Planning Your Lighting Layout

• Physically walk around the van and imagine how you’ll live in the space to determine the number of lights and switches you need and where they should be placed

• Consider cabinetry that will be installed against the ceiling and any rooftop components or van structures that may affect light placement

• If installing both ceiling and overhead cabinet lights, plan their alignment so they visually line up for a cleaner look

• Plan puck light spacing evenly across the ceiling for balanced lighting

• I recommend installing two rows of ceiling lights instead of a single strip down the center for better light coverage

• Personally, I wouldn’t install fewer than nine ceiling lights in a van this size

• Install puck lights at the same time you install the ceiling and cabinets

Wiring

• Wire the puck lights in parallel, not in series, so if one light fails the others continue to work

• Wiring in parallel means all positive connections are tied together and all negative connections are tied together separately

• Run wiring from the fuse panel → switch → puck lights

• Run the wires from the switch around the top perimeter channel of the van to reach each light location

• Leave extra wire length so lights can be pulled down for maintenance or replacement

• Use 14-gauge wire, which is sufficient for these lights

• Purchase wire in two separate colors and coils rather than sheathed cable to reduce weight and simplify connections

• I used Wago lever nuts for connections, though tap splice connectors or butt connectors are alternative options

• To stay organized, connect all negative wires first and then all positive wires

• Make sure the switch used to control the lights is 12V compatible if using 12V puck lights

Installation

• Use a 2 1/4" hole saw for these specific puck lights and be mindful of wiring behind the ceiling when drilling

• Ensure the ceiling board is wider than the puck light body before drilling

• The puck lights are spring-loaded, allowing them to sit flush and securely against the ceiling

• Warm white lighting creates a cozy atmosphere, while cool white lighting can feel more sterile

• Puck light bodies are available in different colors to match your interior

• If you have a 12 volt battery system, use 12 volt lights so no inverter or voltage conversion is needed

• Lighting circuits can be controlled by multiple switches if desired

• I created separate lighting zones and used three dual dimmer switches instead of six individual switches to control them

LED Light Strips

• Flexible LED strip lighting that can be installed in channels or recessed into ceilings, cabinetry, or trim for continuous lighting

Battery-Operated Lights

• Small battery-powered lights controlled by a remote or push button

• Easy to install since no wiring is required

• Require battery replacement or recharging over time

One of my favorite things about my van is the lighting. I love being able to control the brightness and use different lighting circuits depending on what I’m doing.

Sometimes I want the entire van lit up with the ceiling lights. Other times I prefer a cozy, more stealth setup at night with just the toe kick lights. If I’m reading in bed, I can turn on only the lights above me. When cooking, I can use the kitchen lights, or when grabbing something from my dresser I can turn on just that section.

Having multiple lighting zones allows me to fully brighten the space when I want, or keep things low, cozy, and more stealthy with minimal lighting.