I gave away a number of ZL1 units at the Yuma HamFest, hoping to get some comments from people who found a newer and better way to use the world's smallest regulated 12-volt LED. It did generate some traffic to this blog, but it did not generate the hoped-for comments on how to use the product.
For those who want to know what I am talking about, go see the ZL1 at PrudentRVer.com.
So how can you use a ZL1?
Use it to replace a footlight in your coach -- if it is too bright, cover it with multiple layers of frosted scotch tape.Make it an appendage to the light in the ceiling of your toilet. Even if you leave it ON all night, it only draws 0.02 amps, or 0.25 watts of power -- not enough to drain your coach batteries. Connect it into the power before the fixture's switch. Again, reduce the light by covering it with layers of frosted scotch tape.
A single ZL1 light is sufficient to light the interior of a small cabinet shelf in an RV. Mount it at the inside top-of and against the backside of the cabinet moulding holding the door, on the hinge side of the door. It should point toward the inside of the shelf. If you want to wire a magnet proximity switch to the door, power the +12v to the ZL1 through that switch.
Put a ZL1 under the hood of your car or truck, always ON. Wire it into a circuit controlled by the ignition key. That way when you lift the hood at night, you can see well enough to at least get around.
Connect the ZL1 to one of the small 12volt drycell batteries and you have enough of a light to read a Kindle. And it is a lot cheaper than one of those Kindle Nite-Readers you see on TV. (ZL1s are $5.50 on the Internet -- batteries are not included).
Put a ZL1 in the back of the storage area under your sink in the RV. Just wire it into any 12volt power and ground pair that run through that area with a tap-connector. Just remember, the ZL1 is polarized, so you have to match up the leads with the right line.
The ZL1 fits into any of the zipLED bases so you can use it as a single point of light in any of your coach fixtures. It makes a great night light.
Some people are stripping the insulation back and inserting the bare wire into the socket of a halogen fixture that they want only for background lighting. You may need to bend the wire slightly to convince it to stay in the socket. Be careful when removing the hot halogen bulb -- it burns at 1,100 degrees Fahrenheit.
So come on, someone out there can send me an even greater idea for using the ZL1. It plugs directly into a 12-volt DC circuit.
Sam, the Prudent RVer
