MAKE A DOUBLE-BULB READING LAMP

A little DIY ingenuity can result in a distinctively different and extremely useful 12V motorhome desk light, says Techno Tom Bedworth.

"I can't read in this light," my wife said. Our Tardis has the very latest in LED technology, but she suffers macular issues. Hence this project for a closer, brighter LED light just above the table where she sits to read.

Initially, we tried a magnifying hand lens with a ring of small LEDs around its periphery, but this was only good for a quick glance at a map. The project moved on to a bespoke table lamp with the brightest LED that I could find, to allow her to leave her hands free.

The prototype was crafted mostly from items that I had kicking around at home, with minimum expenditure, and it plugged into a conveniently placed cigarette lighter/12V socket adjacent to the centre table.

The essence of this was not one, but two 7W MR16 GU5.3 LED spotlight bulbs. The lighting was excellent, but using the socket it was plugged into meant the twin USB adapter that my wife needed to charge her phone and her hearing aids couldn't be used.

From prototype to posh

Now the project grew to include not just two lamps on a stalk, but also a twin USB adapter, with wires soldered to it for power on its base.

Then there was its appearance to consider I am not good at aesthetics, but even I could appreciate that the prototype was very much a prototype.

The posh version now commenced.

I had an off-cut from a 25mm-thick teak laboratory benchtop, saved from many years back, and a chunk of this was to form the base.