Hi Jim,
I thought a lot about "docking lights". After years of playing with different ideas on boats, I realized exactly how important good lighting was. On a rig the size of our rigs, the lighting is even more important.
I checked into the various lighting systems designed for this application, but found the cost to be fairly high. I finally decided to design system that uses wide spread driving lights with 55W bulbs. I found some that I installed the following way.
I have three lights installed along the side of the bus. One installed within each fender and one in the middle of the bus. This gives plenty of light for "docking" or when ever light is needed at the campsite for setup in the dark or whatever. I say set up in the dark as it seems to always be my luck to arrive to my destination in the dark...Dang!!! Anyhow, these lights are operated independently respective of the side.
I also have another set installed in a removable plate that is aimed at an angle to light up my toad and make the rear visible when reversing.
I also am installing a set of robotic search lights on the top front. I designed insets in the cap when I built it that allows them to retract into the roof leaving only the front lens/top exposed. These lights are intended for auxiliary use, as needed, to augment the fixed mounted lighting. Each search light is independently operated.
The total cost all of the lights were less than the cost of a set of manufactured lights. I think they give off more light, to boot, especially when all of them are lit. It's like close encounters....of the Busin kind!!!
I hope this helps.
