I ordered this from amazon and it arrived today.I plan to get 12V from my bug light. I plan to remove the bulb and tap into the wires. I rarely use that light anyway.I plan to put the IR receiver/controller in an enclosure attached to the side of the TT. Aluminum siding, will probably use silicone. *Do I need to let the IR antenna hang out of the box? *Does the included 3M tape stick well or do I need to get something a little better?I'm looking forward to this mod. My boys are going to love it! After this comes the important but not so fun stuff like cleaning the AC unit, rubber roof, and adjusting the brakes. Had a leak in the skylight and got it sealed before the monsoon's we've had in East TN.

Before attempting to install, make sure the correct connectors were supplied. Test the darn thing first! I bought one and the connectors were totally boogered up. Never again for me but maybe you will have better luck than I did.

The 3M tape seems to work fine except at the ends...too much weight for the tape especially at the connector end but I just used some clear packaging tape to help. Test out and install as soon as you can...mine worked fine on the roll but 3 LEDs were burned out and mine oddly failed to change colors after I unrolled it.

I have 4 of these things, put two on my dad dock, one on my RV awning and another is sitting here on my desk as a spare. I've learned that the IR sensor's are not very good, and they are worse during the day time. You will certainly have to get the IR sensor poking out of any box you make. On mine I placed the stip on the awning just using the 3M tape. I added zip ties on both ends as well. Then I ran an extension through the awing arms following the same path as the wire that goes to the motor on the awning using one of these: ClickyThe awning wire goes into the trailer near the bottom, I'm not sure where it goes from there. So I simply place my controller here (it was one of the smaller slim ones.) it's hidden under the awning arm molding that also cover the awning motor wire. I let the power connector and the IR sensor hanging out the bottom. So for me I just use an extension cord and the 12 volt power supply to get power. Some day (once my warranty is expired, I'll extend the cable to the inside of my front hatch and pull 12 volt from the light in there. I also plan to upgrade from an IR controller to an RF (wireless) controller like this one: ClickyHope this helps...

I have one, I clip it to the awning and have not used the 3M tape yet. So far mine has attracted a few folks, and is still working like a champ.

Well I will let you know as I just installed mine. I cleaned the track with rubbing alcohol first and just used the 3m tape with a little caulk on each end. I also ran an extension down the awning arm. Its been up there a week so far and no problems ..yet

Help with awning LED strip | Good Sam Community

tractorboy30
Explorer
Jun 02, 2013
I have LEDs in my awning that was from the factory and so far I love them so i can see why you guys want to put them in to your rigs that dont have them
Frank
biggrigg
Explorer
Jun 02, 2013
Mine worked good for a month. Then some of the LEDs quit. On certain colors it got to where only half would work. Now the remote does not work. I loved them when they worked but now after about 4 months they are going in the trash. The 3M tape worked well on my awning tube. The LEDs are waterproof but being rolled up in the awning sitting in the water that collects in the awning probably did them in. I did not waterproof the connection when they were unplugged and that was a contributing factor to I am sure.
befu
Explorer
Jun 02, 2013
I bought the same lights from amazon, just without the power source. I mounted them under the rv, just enough foe the whole length. You must have enough juice in your test circuit or the lights turn on, but will not respond to the controller. Had that problem with a wall charger to test it and I tout it was bad.

I also sealed the control unit with 5 minute epoxy to water proof it. 3m adhesive is most likely fake, doesn't work all that well. Secured it in place with a thin film of clear adhesive, like silicone, along the sides of the light strip.
jamnw
Explorer
May 15, 2013
I got the LED and wiring put up today.

I ended up buying a small project box from Radio Shack to put the IR receiver/controller in.

I ran a wire thru the outside light. Not enough slack to splice into the light wiring. So I drilled thru into the cabinet behind.

Here is the project box. I attached it with silicone adhesive. Its taped up until the silicone dries.
I painted it white.

I ran the wire thru the bottom of the light and drilled in thru the wall.
I plan to get white conduit from Lowes to put the wire in.

I had to cut access to the switches and power in the cabinet.

I will put a switch here.
pchartrand
Explorer II
May 14, 2013
xtampa wrote:
gvisnic wrote:
emiddleeb

Ok, I have mine on the table right now, tested and it works fine. I'm not sure whether to install it on the awning bar or the top of the awning yet. My awning is manual so I'm trying to decide where to run the white wire. Don't really want to drill holes in my trailer but also don't want wires hanging everywhere. I thought about mounting the module inside the storage bin and plugging into an outlet nearby. Still need some advice on the white wire to get from the led strip to the module.

I saw in another recient post on this that the person mounted his lights on the side of the trailer and ran the white wire onto the roof and down the vent for the refrigerator. He was then able to open the outside refrig access pannel and directly connect into a 12 volt source, or 110. He used some butyl tape to keep the wire inplace on the roof. So no drilling of holes, and seems to be pretty quick and easy way that keeps everything consealed and looking great.
xtampa
Explorer
May 14, 2013
gvisnic wrote:
emiddleeb

thanks for the thought, but I have an RF not IR setup. Did get replacements in mail today and tested and they work. Controller or transmitter on old one must of been bad or not matched because lights light up on green to start but transmitter will not talk to controller

Ok, I have mine on the table right now, tested and it works fine. I'm not sure whether to install it on the awning bar or the top of the awning yet. My awning is manual so I'm trying to decide where to run the white wire. Don't really want to drill holes in my trailer but also don't want wires hanging everywhere. I thought about mounting the module inside the storage bin and plugging into an outlet nearby. Still need some advice on the white wire to get from the led strip to the module.
gvisnic
Explorer
May 11, 2013
emiddleeb

thanks for the thought, but I have an RF not IR setup. Did get replacements in mail today and tested and they work. Controller or transmitter on old one must of been bad or not matched because lights light up on green to start but transmitter will not talk to controller
emiddleb
Explorer
May 10, 2013
gvisnic,

I have a set like the OP posted installed on my awning. In my experience the IR receiver (tiny little black plastic blob at the end of the short cord on the small white box) is VERY fussy about positioning. As I recall (and I'm not at my RV) it's the rounded side of the blob that has the sensor, and it must be facing the remote. You can see the sensor imbedded in the plastic to be sure. Turned around? Doesn't work. Sideways? Get varied results and "confused" signals (wrong color lights etc.) Face-on? Works.

You could indeed have a bum controller and/or transmitter, but make sure the little IR antenna is positioned properly. I thought mine was bad at first until I figured it out.
jamnw
Explorer
May 10, 2013
I unrolled mine last night and tested it. So far so good! My kids are super excited.
gvisnic
Explorer
May 10, 2013
I just installed my light strip this week. I had ordered on ebay and they came from China, first mistake. I have an RF controller. The red power light comes on and the green signal light blinks green when I turn on via a 12v switch I installed. The lights lit up green. I had to put a battery in the hand held transmitter and whoa en behold, nothing happened. Could not change colors or turn on or off. The transmitter and controller must be matched and apparently either one or the other has a problem or not matched. I ordered a new controller and transmitter from an outfit in ST Louis. Should get here tomorrow and then I can test.