The LED strip lights at the end of my Carefree of Colorado awning have, over time, gotten what appears to be water inside portions of it. This has apparently caused a number or the LED's to not light up in those areas. It's all kind of weird. :h When we bought the RV new three years ago, it had water in the LED light strip even then. Before we took possession, we had the dealer replace the strip. It was fine for about a year, and now it has gradually been infiltrated with water again, causing the same problem of some LED's not lighting up.Anybody else ever had this problem??? :?This is the type of LED strip light I have

when the awning is rolled up, it gets moisture in the rolls and gets the lights wet. My old trailer did that, my new trailer the leds are mounted on the wall of the trailer below the awning.

No awning lights hereBut the springs in my manual carefree awning rusted and brokeWhen i installed new springs two years agoAfter rolling it in and out a few timesI marked the bottom centerline of the awning in the rolled up position (need a ladder)Then i unrolled it and drilled a 1/4" hole in each end, on that line, at the every edge where not covered by fabricNow any water has a chance to drain outMight not work with electric awnings with motors in the roller

My philosophy on extra lights is..Disconnect them and get a Coleman lantern.

I have LED lights on the outside of the awning like yours. Mine seem to bee sealed in the gel like strip they do seem to get moist but not flooded. over two years two or three have gone out but i think it is just cheap China LED lights. When a few more go out I will just replace with new set from Amazon $14.00 a strip and be done.

Our new TT has then in the same place and I fear they wont last. I'm hoping the alumaguard on ours saves them but if it doesn't, I plan on disconnecting them and installing them between the wall and the awning. I mounted them there on our last TT and I think they did a much nicer job of lighting the area.

Awning LED lights waterlogged??? | Good Sam Community

17 Replies

MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Aug 18, 2017
White 5M SMD 5630 Waterproof 300 Blubs LED Flexible Strip Lights Lamp Tape DC12V
doxiemom11
Explorer II
Aug 18, 2017
We have one end of the awning slightly lower than the other so that rain water that accumulates will drain out of the tube, thereby not saturating the lights. We have a manual awning though. The ones we have in now have been there for over 5 years. We did have to replace the awning springs though as they did rust.
SidecarFlip
Explorer III
Aug 18, 2017
MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
Scuce me...

How does color temperature affect water resistance?

I dunno
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Aug 17, 2017
Scuce me...

How does color temperature affect water resistance?
4x4van
Explorer III
Aug 17, 2017
SidecarFlip wrote:

While all my outside lamps are LED, I find the 'glow' of LED's to be cold and uninviting. Fine for marker lights and tail lamps but for under the canopy sitting out, no way. Just my opinion, yours may vary.

The "multi-color" LED strips do not have actual "white" LEDs; rather, they use a combination of the R,G, & B LEDs to "make" white. It is cold. They also seem to not last as long before giving problems. On the other hand, if you move away from the annoying (IMO) multi color/pattern stuff, LED strips can be had in cool, daylight, and warm color temps. These (below) are daylight, and mounted just below the awning roller. I actually had this strip ($20 from Amazon) on the roller of my last motorhome for close to 3 years. They worked so well that I removed them to transfer to my new rig. I have them hooked up to a full range dimmer as well.

This is at full brightness, but I can dial them down to any level all the way to off. Sorry for the lousy pic; I just recently installed and haven't gotten a good clear pic yet. Oh, and I mounted them inside an aluminum track with a frosted lens this time (also available on Amazon, $20).LED mounting track
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Aug 17, 2017
When buying a replacement, look for tubes rated IP67. They will be submersible.
SidecarFlip
Explorer III
Aug 17, 2017
I carry a gallon of Coleman fuel and 2 fuel packs in the side compartment of my truck camper. One pack has pre-mix for my chainsaw that also fits a winch frame, the other is for my generator. Fuel packs are nice because they cannot leak so no fumes and no mess. The Coleman lantern and a hatchet and folding saw also go in the compartment along with a snatch strap.

The opposite side compartment has my water filling hose, water tank additive, black tank additive and latex gloves.

I like being prepared.
Mel_B_
Explorer
Aug 16, 2017
SidecarFlip wrote:
Stansport makes and sells an Amber globe replacement that fits the 2 mantle Coleman lantern. I don't think Coleman makes them anymore but they are nice to keep the bug life down.

Coleman still offers the back reflector however.

Yep $15.99 on amazon.
Thanks
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005P40YYS/ref=asc_df_B005P40YYS5125293/?
SidecarFlip
Explorer III
Aug 16, 2017
Stansport makes and sells an Amber globe replacement that fits the 2 mantle Coleman lantern. I don't think Coleman makes them anymore but they are nice to keep the bug life down.

Coleman still offers the back reflector however.
Mel_B_
Explorer
Aug 16, 2017
I run an amber globe

AMBER GLOBE?
I didn't know they even had them, I'm shopping for that now.
Thanks

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Awning LED lights waterlogged???

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