LED’S under awning

[Sam4msu]

I am thinking about adding some LED lights on my camper under the awning. I have seen these spoils of LED’S that are self adhesive backed. They are encased in silicon. You just cut to length and wire. I’m thinking about wiring to the outside light to control with that switch. Any input on this type of light? How about how to manage the wire that will have to run a few feet to the power source?
Thanks.

[Sam4msu]

Thanks for all the great ideas.

[ThomBoles]

We installed This one. It has a nice track that you mount to the side of the RV then peel the adhesive backing cover and put the LED's into that. Came out pretty sweet!

[keymastr]

Mine came from the factory and are attached to the underside of the awning right next to the trailer. I wish they were on the other end of the awning because they attract bugs and then when you open the door they fly right in. I have seen them on the outside end of the awning.

They do make an effective porch light even with the awning rolled up and I would miss that if they were on the other end of the awning but that would be better than the bugs.

[Lwiddis]

But...I generally like no light outside when evening arrives. I can see better after beginning nautical twilight. While I’m not hiding, I want to see not be seen.

[dodge_guy]

beemerphile1 wrote:
I used the cheap $20 roll of lights. I drilled a hole thru the wall of the trailer and wired it to a switch inside. There are no wires running on the outside of the RV.

That’s how I did mine. I even put the remote sensor outside. Mine change color if I want. I can even make them flash to annoy the neighbors!

[beemerphile1]

I used the cheap $20 roll of lights. I drilled a hole thru the wall of the trailer and wired it to a switch inside. There are no wires running on the outside of the RV.

[dodge_guy]

I put my encapsulated leds on a few years ago. They have been great so far. The ones I have are water proof, the silicone rectangular tubes ones are splash proof. Go with the encapsulated ones.

[ScottG]

I wired it as you dscribe and installed them where Mike S. did. They do a much better job of lighting the wall of the RV IMO. Also, they're not inclined to be soaked like the ones in the awning roller are so they should last.

[WNYBob]

I vote for ones in a enclosed rectangular Silicon tube, and then used silicon caulk to seal the ends. I had installed the cheap ones you described, but they corroded in less than a year. Only got crazy colors!

Sorry I don't have the address of where I found them.

Oh yea I used some 3M butyl tape from Home Depot to hold them on. Worked great!

I also stick a strip (about 2' long) under the door. I leave these on almost all the time, they face down and are a nice step light.

[mike-s]

I recommend getting the strips which are encapsulated, not the ones in a rectangular silicone tube. And, the self-adhesive isn't very good on most. I used hot-melt glue. These also came with a remote control, so the controller is in the porch light housing.

[Lwiddis]

Make sure you are happy with the type of light the LEDs produce. I like "warm white" for instance.