LED Light Strip - 3528 or 5050 LED's?

Here are a couple of photos of the connections:

Moderator edit to make pictures visable.
note: Click on "edit" to see what I did.

I have pictures of the install, but not of the wire across the top. The cover is on the rig and I'll probably be pulling it off this weekend, if you want a picture or two.
The reason I went from right front to left rear was to spread the line along the whole awning, not have it bunch up on one side. I wish I could figure out how to add pictures to this.

So the wire simply lays diagonally on top of the opened awning? Interesting.

I used a nylon wire clamp and a self tapping screw. I looped the wire to give it a bit more resistance to "pulling." I did the same at the rear, opposite side, where I connected it to the other strip and ran it down inside the awning bracket and into the compartment I had the controller in (remote).
Since I have RGB LED, the wire is an encased 4 lead, which isn't as small as I would have liked. Other options were installing the wire in the arm and plugging in each time. So far this set up has worked (you do see the wire on top of the awning).
I tried to add a picture, it wouldn't paste.
nylon wire clamp:
http://www.amazon.com/White-Shape-Nylon-Cable-Organizer/dp/B0076V3H9W

HwyGod wrote:
I did a permanent wiring job, running the wire from one side of the extended awing to the opposite mount side (runs diagonal within the rolled up awning).

The diagonal wiring idea is intriguing...how did you attach the wiring to the awning material?

HwyGod wrote:
The problem you are going to have with most is the adhesive.

I agree, and read enough reviews that said the same thing that I used a bead of silicone to attach my strip to the awning roller; so far so good.

I have a dimmer ordered, since the full length white strip is actually brighter than is needed at times. The dimmer should give me the ability to run full brightness or more "mood" lighting as desired.

I have experimented with LEDs for a while. My wife calls me a geek. Ive changed out every light in my rig (did my cab over before). A true believer.
I have a RGB (red/green/blue) 16 footer on my awning. They are 5050 chips, one chip of each color per chip. When it is white, it isn't as bright as say a set of just white. I like the RGB because I can change colors. I don't know much about bugs, but certain colors don't attract the bugs, but you need to know if you can sit there with blue or red lights (which also doesn't kill your night vision).

I did a permanent wiring job, running the wire from one side of the extended awing to the opposite mount side (runs diagonal within the rolled up awning). I also ran a second strip along the mount side (to use when the awning isn;t extended. I installed a remote so I can turn on/off, dim, change colors (and flashy patterns) from m chair.

Food for thought on ANY install. You can get 16' (5meters) of these pretty cheap on ebay. The problem you are going to have with most is the adhesive. I pulled all the "3m" tape off and went with contact cement. Brushed on at the RV and sprayed on the back of the LED. Never comes off.

If you have questions or ideas you want an opinion on, let me know. Ive tried it all. I also make my own light conversions for just about every bulb type on an RV.

Ok, what about bugs? My wife saw one of these at the RV show last month and wants them now. We almost never use our "porch" light because even with the amber cover it attracts too many bugs near the door.
I like the lights under the awning but I wonder if a different color would attract fewer bugs.

Even the 3528s put out alot of light in the 16.4' strip. That's what I used, and it's more light than I could hope for. I think that 16.4' of 5050 LEDs will actually be too bright for your awning area, although you could cut it down as has been suggested (or add a dimmer).

While I used the 5050 type in the panels in my individual ceiling fixtures, I used the 3528 type for the 16.4' strips (300 on my awning, 600 inside), pics here , and they are more than bright enough. Next time out, I'll try to get pics of the awning as well. I'm actually considering a dimmer for it, because even the 3528s put out alot of light when you have 300 of them!

I prefer the bright white (5500K-6000K), but many prefer the warm white (3500K). I don't think I've heard anyone who likes the cool (6500K+).

Get the 5050s in a warm color. You can also get the 5050s in double density so you go from 300 in 16' to 600 in 16'. Then add a PWM Dimmer. Don't run your leds at full intensity or you will greatly reduce the life span. Besides if you worried about power on batteries being able to reduce the intensity of the leds will save power.

bkbonner wrote:
We have the 5050's and we're very happy with the light.

We have a waterproof variety that we use under our awning.

Your link is for a 3528 LED strip. :h