Hello! My name is Mike and I'm new to this forum. I have a 2015 Express van that I did a DIY camper conversion on. Installed 400 watts of solar, power generator, sink, etc to camp in for biking trips. One thing I would like to do is convert the reading lamps that came stock on this 10 passenger van to be able to use all the time, with or without the key on. Can't seem to find out what wire powers that system and how to make it hot all the time. Has anyone done this and if so, can you let me know how to do it? I know I run the risk of leaving them on and drawing the coach battery down. If I can, I would run another hot lead from from power generator fuse box to run them off that battery which is solar charged. (The best way to go)
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you and look forward to any help you can provide

 

Did you install any auxiliary batteries?

 

No, I used a EcoFlow delta Power Generator that has it built in along with solar controller & inverter. It has 1800W output, AC plugs,12V plug, and charges from 400W of solar panels or the vehicle. For this build it's working out good so far. If I was to build a larger van out I would build a bigger system myself. I didn't know jack about it and learned a lot with the build.

 

You should be able to find the wire diagrams here
https://www.gmupfitter.com/pages/body-builder-manuals

 

Thanks for the link. I looked around and didn't find the wiring for the extra lamps in the roof for reading located in the passenger area. Not the ones that can come on when the doors are opened or the dome/reading ones in the front area, but the ones where the passengers sit. They have white lens covers and a lamp on either side. You push them on or off. I think there are about 6-8 of them back there. This is a 10 seat Express van with windows and the lights are for the 8 seats that were located behind the driver
Honestly, I would have a hard time following that wiring diagram also. Thank you for posting the reply though..

 

I would recommend leaving the factory light as is.

Get an Ikea lamp and plug it into the inverter.

You'll never have to worry about running down your starter battery.

 

Yep, might just order some LED 12V lights but I just didn't want to have yet another set of lights up there. I have dome and reading light that aren't being used while parked so another set wasn't what I wanted to do.
I can mount them on the upper sides and they'll be fine. Having to use the factory ones along with the roof AC vents is why I kept the headliner in the build.