Installing LED step lights

I did this mod a couple of years back and I love that the LED light is under the steps, lights them up perfectly without direct light pollution in the eyes, even when seated around a campfire.

I added a rv style switch on the inside of the door near the porch light switch. I tapped off a 12v live line, porch light, and then snaked the wiring down through the wall, into the floor, out under the trailer where it connects to the LEDs under the steps. Whole thing looks professional and works great.

I rarely ever use the porch light now...step light provides enough light without being annoying.

No lights in my storage bay (yet)! Thanks for the advice. I think I'll run a line right off the battery. That way I can tap into it for any additional LED lights I decide to install (under the frame, in the storage bay, etc).

Bucky Badger wrote:
do you have a storage bay near by with a light to tap into

That was easy way to get to 12 volts to step lights and my lights under M H.Just seal the holes from where you drill in the storage bay.

I ran my wires from the lights up along side a low point drain that was beside the steps. I placed a lighted rocker switch in a cabinet wall directly across from the doorway. It's reachable from out side. The light on the rocker reminds me to turn them off when I come inside for the evening. Power tap from nearest 12v circuit as these don't draw much current.

do you have a storage bay near by with a light to tap into

VegasBT wrote:
I think I'll wire a switch to control the lights separate from my outside light. I was thinking a waterproof toggle switch located near the steps would be the best option. And I'm not sure where the converter on my trailer is located. The fuse panel/circuit breakers are located well into the interior near the refrigerator.

That is exactly what I did. Took power directly from the battery with a 7amp in line fuse and put a toggle switch in a waterproof box with just the toggle sticking out and screwed it to the stairs under the trailer. You cant see the box if you're just walking around it. That way I kept it independent from the trailer electrical system (except for the battery) and I slept better knowing I didn't have to mess with any of the trailer wiring.

I think I'll wire a switch to control the lights separate from my outside light. I was thinking a waterproof toggle switch located near the steps would be the best option. And I'm not sure where the converter on my trailer is located. The fuse panel/circuit breakers are located well into the interior near the refrigerator.

VegasBT wrote:
I have a Coleman 191QB, and I've been considering adding LED step lights to the folding steps. My concern is where is the easiest point to tie into the existing DC electrical system. Should I run a line up to the battery connection or try to tie in to the existing DC electrical system? I am not sure if the electrical lines run on the bottom of the trailer, and I have been unable to find a wiring diagram online. Any advice would be appreciated!

Is the converter just inside your door....like on my Coleman/Thor???


If so, you could tap into it there.

How do you want to control it??? Do you want to control it with the same switch as the outside light, or do you want it to be independent? There are severa questions that need to be answered in order to possibly streamline your installation.

I added a LED light strip below my awning and just ran wire to a junction box/connection already at the battery. I did put an appropriate sized fuse in the line as well.