LED awning strip lights

Being the unashamed El Cheapo that I am, & also finding the LED strips stuck on the trailer that are visible with the awning out highly annoying visible outside of it's site, I went a different route. Cheap but it takes more than hitting a switch for light.

I have a basic 18' LED line of lights available at any Walmart anytime of year. I removed bolts at the end of the awning roller & replaced them with eye bolts to which the string of LEDs get tied. Enough tension is put on the string to tuck the lights behind the roller & awning surrey so that the lights shine back TOWARDS the trailer, not away from it. This way lights are not shining into any neighbour's site.

It takes a little while to setup using some line & some boaty adjustable knots plus the on/off switch is plugging into the outside outlet, but it works.

We just purchased replacements from ETrailer (10' and 14' awnings. Our rig is a 2013 and about half the LED's were not working.

Skibane wrote:
^The reel LEDs are also available in "outdoor" versions that have all their components embedded in a clear waterproof coating - makes them quite weather-resistant.

The clear waterproof coating makes them even more "repair" resistant also.

But even those generic replacements have specific cut and splice markings which are typically every three or four LEDs. Those markings are there so you can cut to length without interrupting the series circuit. The cut points will have solder pads to allow you to make your 12V connections.

In all cases, they are throw away items, just not worth the hassle and work to attempt repairs unless you can't sleep at night and have nothing else to do.

^The reel LEDs are also available in "outdoor" versions that have all their components embedded in a clear waterproof coating - makes them quite weather-resistant.

jpmyers wrote:
I've seen those replacement strips. Not leaning electrical, what is involved in connecting these. I have a few lights out on a short strip. By moving the strip around a bit, I've had those lights flicker on and off. Any suggestions?

Broken solder joint (IE cold solder joint).

Those LEDs are surface mounted, typically manufacturer uses a paste solder which acts like a glue until heated in an oven designed for this purpose. Solder has most likely cracked under the LED, difficult to repair using normal soldering pencil. Typically a air soldering station designed for soldering surface mount parts can be used to reflow the solder. Some surface mount LEDs may have a tiny solder tab sticking out, with those if you have a fine enough solder tip you might be able to resolder as normal.

Have seen reflowing done by using a off the shelf heat gun (type you would used to strip paint)by applying heat from the backside of the LED strip. Not for the faint of heart though as you do not have pin point accuracy and chances of burning the strip and LEDs are pretty high.

These strips are dirt cheap, poorly made with seconds or even thirds quality LEDs (basically the junk that does not pass or meet quality specs for other uses), you are better off buying a reel of LEDs and cutting to length rather than attempting to repair. You can get 16 ft reels for $10 or less, the segments have cut marks where you can cut to length.

Welcome to the club…the led strips are the only LEDs I’ve had poor service out of. Multiple chips stop working and dimming in less than a year…not many hours of use.

I've seen those replacement strips. Not leaning electrical, what is involved in connecting these. I have a few lights out on a short strip. By moving the strip around a bit, I've had those lights flicker on and off. Any suggestions?

dougrainer wrote:
They always do this. Just go to Amazon and buy a roll of replacement aftermarket LED lights A LOT CHEAPER than the awning brand. Doug

What Doug said. I did end up going with a set with 3m adhesive. The cheap set I had, came loose from the camper on the second trip. It may have been my installation, but the 3m has held on for 2 years now.

They always do this. Just go to Amazon and buy a roll of replacement aftermarket LED lights A LOT CHEAPER than the awning brand. Doug

Check your ground wire to the fixture. Hope this helps.