DIY Awning lights

[zell66]

I have a 2012 Sandpiper 365SAQ and I want to install a LED strip on my awning tube. Is there a way to add a strip and wire it into the power awning?

[mike-s]

jodeb720 wrote:
The 3m 2 sided tape that comes with the lights sucks!

That's not 3M tape, it's 4C tape (Cheap Chinese Counterfeit ****). The genuine 3M stuff works great.

[jodeb720]

I went down this path a couple of years ago and here's what I did.

I put the warm white (DW likes the color) under the drip rail on the side of the 5er and on the bottom of the awning tube. This way, when it was rolled up, hit was kept tight against the tube.

I used an "M4" I think it the name, it's a keyed 12v electrical connector on the awning tube - and ran electrical wire from the light fixture on the side of the 5er

I never deeply connect the power connection - I barely connect it so that just in case I forget when I roll in the awning, there's a chance it'll disconnect and not tear it apart.

I put two waterproof switches on the bottom of the fixture and used those outdoor adheasive blocks with zipties on them inside the awning arms so as the arms open and close, they don't pinch the wire.

The power is only on when the outdoor light is on, and the LED strips are only on when I push the waterpoof button

Couple of Footnotes
The 3m 2 sided tape that comes with the lights sucks! I had to get some super strong 2 sided tape from Home Depot/Lowes and used that to hold the strip of lights on the tube and under the drip strip.
16' of LED's on both sides is a lot of light.

[mike-s]

allen8106 wrote:

mike-s wrote:
Consider installing it tucked up under the awning near the sidewall. That way it's protected, but can be used even when the awning is rolled up. I did that with one having a remote, and mounted the controller in the porch light. I use the porch light switch to turn it on/off, and can also use the remote to control color/brightness (it's an RGBW strip).

How did you get the light strip to stick to the wall of the rig?

I used hot-melt glue to attach it to the underside of the awning/drip rail. Acrylic foam tape would work, too. The strip actually came with that, but it was the cheap Chinese stuff which barely sticks, not the good 3M VHB stuff.

[allen8106]

mike-s wrote:
Consider installing it tucked up under the awning near the sidewall. That way it's protected, but can be used even when the awning is rolled up. I did that with one having a remote, and mounted the controller in the porch light. I use the porch light switch to turn it on/off, and can also use the remote to control color/brightness (it's an RGBW strip).

How did you get the light strip to stick to the wall of the rig?

[MrWizard]

this is NOT an Esthetic question
it is a power access question

the problem is not where you mount it
the problem is wiring to the power for the electric awning

the answer is "Basically No"
the awning only has power when moving
the motor wires are NOT powered all the time
place the lights where ever you want
but you will have to route the wiring back to RV wall
to which ever power source you choose

[4x4van]

TNGW1500SE wrote:
I bought these: Channel that I pop riveted on.

I used similar channel for mine. Then I just drilled through the RV wall behind one of the channels and ran the wiring into the area behind my pantry; no exterior wiring showing. I have an on/off/dimmer switch just inside the doorway.

[Concord_NC_Trav]

I mounted mine under the rail on the side of the camper, I also have installed awning poles that attach and store right on the awning that keep the awning from flopping up and down.

[RLS7201]

SidecarFlip wrote:
I hang my Coleman lantern on a hook on my awning. Seems to work just fine.

I'll bet it would be a great light for my flip phone.

Richard

[TNGW1500SE]

I bought these: Channel that I pop riveted on. Used this wire HERE and installed these lights LIGHTS. I put the sensor on the side of the RV inside a basement compartment. I got 12 volts from a basement light and added a switch inside the RV door. I unplug them to roll them up. Soldering is required.

[ThomBoles]

We installed this on the side of our RV under the awning as described above. I ended up wiring mine into a switch by the passenger seat but could have just as easily replaced the outdoor light with it. RV Outdoor Light

[George3037]

Ava wrote:
I just put a white led strip on the wall of rv just under the awning. Wired into the porch light and lights with awning open or closed.

X2

[andrewsd91]

I am looking at adding a strip below my awning on the sidewalk wired into the porch light. How did you run the wires as my porch light is in the middle of where I want my strip to be? Thanks

[4x4van]

I mounted mine on my awning roller on my last RV; and simply plugged it in when I set up with a wire running down the awning leg. On my current RV, I instead mounted it on the side of the RV just under the awning. That way I can use it regardless of whether the awning is deployed or not, and the wiring is permanent. Can't say I really notice much of a difference in the amount of usable light between the 2 locations.

Seem to remember someone posting that they installed on the roller and ran the wiring diagonally across the awning so that it would roll up with the awning. Seems like a lot of work to me, but the person swore it worked well.

[RollandB]

A friend who like ours has a strip lightnon the roller tube just installed one just under where it mounts to the wall for the times he wants light without having the awning extended all the way.