Shasta Porch Light

[wann2119]

I apologize in advance if this is in the wrong category. I couldn't decide where it should go.

I have a 1963 Shasta compact. Outside the door and to the left, there is a round hole that goes through both the paneling and skin. It looks like the perfect place for a porch light. Did these campers come with porch lights? If so, how were they wired. If not...what is that hole for?

[safetybruce]

Hi...to the best of my knowledge I don't recall any of the canned ham shaped Compacts originally having a porch light, but that is a good location to place one if you are using a key to unlock it after dark. The pass through the interior paneling might indeed indicate a light was added, if there is any indication that there are recessed blinded off wires poked back in the space between the outside skin and inside paneling. If no wires, I'm guessing some kind of ornamental addition by a PO. If you check the identification section you will see a couple of Shasta brochures Brian has posted with illustrations of your style Compact. No porch light on any of them.

[wann2119]

Thanks! I've seen brochures, all without a porch light, but I wanted to make sure. We may try to wire one in since the hole is there. We aren't trying to get the ole gal back to her former glory...just making her usable. A porch light could be handy...

[Atomic Addiction]

Shasta didn't put on porch lights on until much much later. They were however a popular after market accessory. Most for that time period were a exterior outlet that you would plug the light into...

www.vintagetrailersupply.com/Screw_Cap_Outlet_Cover_p/vts-879.htm

Why the hole is all the way through I don't know. It shouldn't. Perhaps that is the easiest way to mount it and wire it up.

If I were to put in a porch light I would go with something like this...

www.vintagetrailersupply.com/Porch_Light_p/vts-161.htm

Brian

[wann2119]

Thanks for the knowledge and the links. I think for now we are going to skip the porch light and pour the money into something much more important...wiring...frame work...new paneling....ick. lol

[safetybruce]

One other possibility for the through hole is that I have seen a couple of campers that seem to appear at rallies where the owner has one of those 90 degree hangers with maybe their names hanging from them or an ornamental addition. and maybe they remove it when traveling and then re-mount it when they are at their location. You could put a hanger up, and hang a small cute battery operated lantern or light and use it as a "porch light" and then store it when you travel, and pick up a rubber circular hole cover from Lowes or Home Depot to make the hole water resistant while traveling.

[dawgpound]

Here is another option for a porch light. www.vintagecampers.com/viewpart.php?partID=1571

Here is another option for a porch light.


They do offer a clear lens for this one.

[Atomic Addiction]

I kinda dig that light. Nice.

Brian

[dawgpound]

I kinda like it too. Thinking about putting one on our Starflyte. The price isn't all that bad, either.