Want to add light to your cabin? 12-volt LED may be the trick

12-volt lights in a cabin can be the easiest way to provide lights without needing inverters or other equipment. In an RV, the lights run on 12-volt house batteries. When you flip the light switch, battery power flows to the lights without the need to turn on an inverter.

Adding more well-placed lights is a cost-effective way to improve the usability of a space. In 12-volt lighting, long-distance runs require larger wires, so determine the location of the lights. It is also essential to choose a fixture and light type. In an off-grid cabin, efficiency is critical to long-running reliable power. The go-to choice for off-grid lights is 12-volt LEDs like those found in RVs. These low-voltage lights use a fraction of incandescent bulbs that produce the same light. Today LEDs are even better with bulb styles and color temperatures. At this point, you should have the distance of the electrical run and the amount of power required from the LED light chosen.

Now that you have a distance for the wire run and have chosen an LED light with power requirements, you can calculate the proper gauge wire to use. A wire gauge calculator can help with the appropriate sizing of cables. Always consult the manufacturer’s recommendations or a professional electrician when determining the proper wire gauge and fusing for your 12-volt system. The gauge of the wires used in your cabin is essential for safety and circuit operation. Wire gauge or the gauge of the wire refers to the thickness of a strand of wire. This size is often measured in American Wire Gauge (AWG) units. The lower the AWG number, the thicker the wire.