LED awning light strip "remod"

[michol02]

On a previous mod, I had installed an LED light strip on the awning.

Worked great, only when the awning was rolled up, it retained moisture and shorted out some of the LEDs. These were the "waterproof" 5M 5050 RGB found on e-bay. I replaced them twice, each time adding additional waterproofing(clear vinyl tape, clear silicon, etc.) but the moisture would still find its way in, so I've abandoned that setup and went with what I've seen a few others do in the forum. I attached them to the camper wall about 1/2" from the roof rail. I kept the same wiring that runs through the wall to power in the bedroom, I just shortened it. So far I've had no moisture problems, even after a few rainy days.

[michol02]

Can't seem to get 2 pics on one thread.

Upside down, but this is new install.

[f6bits]

How does the lit up area compare with this new setup?

[bg71361]

Check these out! I just installed mine, while not the cheapest I believe the quality is far superior and will out last the competition.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFLeFC-ho_s

[michol02]

It actually lights up the area very well. I thought there would be a dark area up against the wall, but the canopy reflects the light back.
I thought about getting better made LED strips, but for $18, I'll stick to these for now. If these last a year, its worth spending that much for me, because I will probably upgrade to a bigger camper in a year or two.

[brucem26]

If you use ip68 (submersible) class LED strips you will not have a problem. The entire LED strip is encased in a silicone filled tube.

The solution from EcoEnergy Solutions was over $300 - just absurd...

You can get everything you need with a 5m ip68 RGB strip, RF remote control and power supply for <$100 easy (in Canada).

[ohiocougar]

I had the same moisture problem with mine rolling up in the awning and shorting out. Took them down and considering under the body mount like what was posted on the forum

[michol02]

LED strip shorted out again. The sticky back on these IP67 "waterproof" strips separates from the strip eventually, causing the wiring to short out if moisture gets to it. I've went through 4 strips this year. This time I found an IP68 strip(thanks for the idea Brucem26) which looks much better than the others(completely encased in rubber). There is no sticky back, and attempts to apply double stick tape didn't work, so I used little zip tie holders taped to the camper every 8". Hope this one works. I found them on eBay for $27.89 with free shipping(5M 72W 12V IP68 SMD RGB 5050 LED Waterproof Strip light 300led Lamp Lighting) This is the strip only, but it plugged right into my current system.

[michol02]

A look at a IP67 strip

[michol02]

New strip. IP68

[chartrand]

I had a set on out on the awning roller tube and it lasted only one season before water fount it's way in. It was a IP67 rated strip and still it got ruined.
So I move the strip location to the side of the trailer just below the awning, and got one of the IP68 strips without the 3M backing on it. Like michol02 I struggled as well trying to get these things to stick. I ended up using hot glue, making a bead and pushing the strip into it as I went along. I'm not sure it will hold, so don't try this yourself, I'll let you know how it works out. I probably should had used the sticky squares that michol02 used to mount his.

On the good side, I was able to run a small thin cable down the awning rail and then into the refrigerator compartment where I was able to mount the RF Controller and get a 12volt supply of power.

[Sherwood]

I too installed my waterproof LED light kit just below the awning with the original 3M tape provided but it very quickly fell back off. Upon some further research, I found a much more durable double sided 3M molding tape that has last almost a year with no problems. I have listed that link below.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Jameskirk]

I have had my LED light strips up now on our second season and still working fine. I used the original 3M tape that came with the lights. The only thing extra I did besides clean the area where I was putting it was use a dab of clear silicone on both ends. This really helped.


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[Waldo_2001]

I installed my awning LED today. It is a IP68 waterproof and has a great mounting strip that the leds can be removed from if needed. It was an Ebayer from IN and they are OEM kits for $50 dollar range for 16ft.

Ebay seller http://www.ebay.com/itm/271230334059...84.m1497.l2649

What I used next to the 12v light in the storage compartment for on and off
http://www.ebay.com/itm/200910470000...84.m1497.l2649

[PARAPTOR]

Originally Posted by Waldo_2001

I installed my awning LED today. It is a IP68 waterproof and has a great mounting strip that the leds can be removed from if needed. It was an Ebayer from IN and they are OEM kits for $50 dollar range for 16ft.

Interested in this type mounting, can you supply more detail and a possible link to this supplier

Thanks

[SandMShall]

Originally Posted by chartrand

I had a set on out on the awning roller tube and it lasted only one season before water fount it's way in. It was a IP67 rated strip and still it got ruined.
So I move the strip location to the side of the trailer just below the awning, and got one of the IP68 strips without the 3M backing on it. Like michol02 I struggled as well trying to get these things to stick. I ended up using hot glue, making a bead and pushing the strip into it as I went along. I'm not sure it will hold, so don't try this yourself, I'll let you know how it works out. I probably should had used the sticky squares that michol02 used to mount his.

On the good side, I was able to run a small thin cable down the awning rail and then into the refrigerator compartment where I was able to mount the RF Controller and get a 12volt supply of power.

I purchased a waterproof strip of led lighting that has a wireless remote and IR sensor that I'm planning to install on my awning. Can you elaborate on what wire you used and how you tapped into the 12v supply in the refrigerator compartment? I've done electrical wiring in the past, but I'm no professional and I love to see pictures.


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[chartrand]

The wire I purchased on eBay for like $3 bucks. Here are a few photos for you of the outside, notice the trim that hides the wire, had to order more from my dealer for this side of the awning.





Enjoy,


Enjoy,
Pat

[chartrand]

Then inside the rear frig area there is lots of slack on the wire so I can get the cover off.





Enjoy...

[chartrand]

The 12 Volt electrical cable is MonoPrice Speaker cord. The 4pin extension cable, (that's the little white cable traveling down the awning) can pe purchased on ebay here is a sample link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/5M-16-4ft-4-...item3f2c4061c8

The LED Light strip is IP68 rated found here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/141104199589...84.m1439.l2649

The RF (note it's not IR) can be found here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/360714681783...84.m1439.l2649

My initial go was to try and use hot Glue since those lights don't come with the 3M tape on the back. That was a mistake and I should have purchased 3M tape to put on it. But even if I have used 3M tape I would still want to reinforce it some with a clear sealant. My local RV dealer uses and sells Geocel 2300 MHRV, I purchased a tube and plan to run a bead of it along the bottom of the lights and at the ends to make sure everything stays up. Here is a link to the sealant: http://www.geocelusa.com/product/all...nt-detail.html

-Pat

[Waldo_2001]

I posted links to the Ebay seller for the light I bought and the dimmer to control it. The links are in my original post above.