I am doing some research on adding the LED lighting kit (under my awning) on my Class A motorhome. It doesn't look too hard to install by yourself. Any ideas on this would be appreciated.

They come in two types. Make sure you get the water proof type. 5050 comes to mind.

You mean Christmas lights? That's what us Rednecks call them in June and July.

I installed some last year. Got them from eBay out of China. They were like $20 for a 15' length. I used 5050 SMD waterproof ones. I stuck them to the exterior wall just below the awning rail. The lead was way too short so I had to lengthen it. I ran the power down the awning bracket with the lead to my power awning and then in the coach through the same hole. I was fortunate that it ended up in the basement so I grabbed power from a basement light and installed the control box there. When I want them on...I open the basement door and point the remote in there and let it rip.

I chose the warm white style, instead of the multi-color. Spend a bit extra and get the brightest you can find, which is also dimmable. Then you can adjust them as the situation requires when outside.... Our coach has a Girard Awning, so I stuck them underneath the edge alonf the wall of the coach. Then I ran the power cord in behind the entry light and wired it inside the coach, behind the inverter control panel. The remote works from outside or inside, perfectly. I can have the lights very bright for playing cards, reading, etc, and can turn them way down for "mood lighting" most other times.

I did this also to our MH last Spring. Like mguay and a few others mentioned, I went with the 15' length of 5050 SMD waterproof lights. Can be had on Amazon and other places online for around $20. Do NOT buy them from Camping World - They sell exact same lights at a RIDICULOUS mark-up, around $70 IIRC.I also installed ours directly underneath the awning roller, up against the coach like others mentioned. There was a channel along there under the awning roller that seemed like it was made just for this light strip, worked perfectly. Was also enough cavity inside the awning arm to snake the wire for it down through there, and have it come out right at the bottom of the arm. To hook it up, I just pull the wire out from the storage bin, connect it to the connector at the bottom of the awning arm, and use the remote to turn it on/off. I had to buy an extra length of the wire and some connectors to do this, but it worked out great.Have some adhesive caulk of some kind handy, and plan on using it at the ends of the light strip. The 3M adhesive the light strip comes with is good and holds well, but the ends WILL peel off shortly after you put it on. A small dab of adhesive caulk on each end solved that.Provides great light outside, and is totally adjustable - Can make it one of several different colors, fade it in or out, make it as bright or dim as you want, etc. DW always used to like putting 'tacky lights' on the manual awning we had with the TT, but we did not want to do that with the power awning on the MH. These lights are what we did, instead. Highly recommend this, if you want some more light outside, but don't want to fool with having to constantly attach and remove lights from the awning roller.Oh, one other really nice thing about using LED lights like this: They do not attract mosquitos and other flying critters, like conventional lights do. :)

Multi color LED awning lighting kit ? | Good Sam Community

Macktee
Explorer
Jan 23, 2014
Bought mine at Avondale CW and happy with price and product. Macktee
slemnah
Explorer
Jan 23, 2014
Where are youguys getting your LED light strips?
Steve
gvisnic
Explorer
Jan 23, 2014
When I installed mine, I opted for an RF control versus an IR controller. This uses radio frequency versus infra red that you have to point directly to the controller. I was able to drill a hole from the outside into a cabinet, used a plastic piece like they use for running cable into the house, sealed with silicone well, and was able to tap into a 12v wire to a map light over the passenger chair. I also wired in an on off switch that lights up, lets me know the circuit is on.
Meffrig
Explorer
Jan 23, 2014
Executive wrote:
Are you asking about the red white and blue colored rope lights or the multi colored ones that flash off and on changing colors...?////Dennis

Multi colored LED's that change colors. CW sells the Dometic brand but the kits are high dollar compared to some other brands. I don't mind paying CW's price if they are really worth it.
Executive45
Explorer III
Jan 23, 2014
Are you asking about the red white and blue colored rope lights or the multi colored ones that flash off and on changing colors...?////Dennis
Playtime_II
Explorer
Jan 22, 2014
drill a small hole for the wires and seal with 3m 4200 or 5200. I opted to go a different route. I ran the control wires from outside (under the end of the LED strip into the overhead cabinet. Inside the cabinet the wires connect to the power adapter (110v to 12v). I just open the cabinet and pull the 110v plug out and into the receptacle on the underside of the cabinet. I did not want the LEDs on 12v. Too many things already drawing power when "off".

I taped the remote sensor to the glass so I can control from the outside. I tried inside but there are some codes that also control the TV.
Ivylog
Explorer III
Jan 22, 2014
Not sure an electric awning is any help as mine is 120V and those with a motor in the tube only have power when the motor is running. I had to drill a small hole through the side to get power from the 12V lights inside. With a normal roll up awning I would probably mount the light strip just under the awning when it is rolled up so you can still use it with the awning in. I have to put my awning out a little bit to use mine so maybe I should have mounted the light strip on the outside bottom of the channel, not inside.
ford_truck_guy
Nomad
Jan 22, 2014
How would one add a LED strip if they do not have an awning rail to run the wires behind ? I have seen a lot of RV's with the lights and they all had an electric awning.. Mine does not
Ivylog
Explorer III
Jan 22, 2014
I added this strip LED to my awning and a 3' strip over the door for extra outside lighting. Not a fan of multi color outside lights. :E
Macktee
Explorer
Jan 22, 2014
paulcardoza wrote:
I chose the warm white style, instead of the multi-color. Spend a bit extra and get the brightest you can find, which is also dimmable. Then you can adjust them as the situation requires when outside....

Our coach has a Girard Awning, so I stuck them underneath the edge alonf the wall of the coach. Then I ran the power cord in behind the entry light and wired it inside the coach, behind the inverter control panel. The remote works from outside or inside, perfectly.

I can have the lights very bright for playing cards, reading, etc, and can turn them way down for "mood lighting" most other times.

X2 what Paul said and make sure they are the cool white. Much better lighting. And having the remote, that you do not have to point right at it is invaluable. These are a little more expensive and come in 39" lengths, but well worth it. Macktee

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Multi color LED awning lighting kit ?

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