LED Lighting under awning

[peaches_cream]

I have a Carefree Eclispe Power Awning and want to install LED lighting. I have purchased this strip http://www.ebay.com/itm/170972259352?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 to install. I would like to put the LED strip on my awning roller, plug the cord in when in use, and roll the strip up with the awning when not in use.I realize I will have to unplug the strip before I roll the awning up. How many have done it this way and does rolling the awning up with the strip attached damage the lights?

[MEXICOWANDERER]

Thank you for a well-written, detailed, and linked report! I am going to go to the controller site and purchase one. 🙂

[MarcusJ]

I installed two horizontal 150/5050 RGB color mixing strips on a 2000 Thor GT-26 (between the doors) under the awning. I used a strong double sided tape (from a fabric store no less) since the original 3M sticky tape on these strips were not adequate. When the awning is stored for travel, it covers the LED strips almost completely. When the awning is extended (from 2" to full travel), the LED's did a nice soft lighting effect. Another nice feature is that the lights are not directly visible into a neighboring RV, only the soft glow on the ground. Make sure you buy high quality outdoor vehicle ready weatherproof LED strips, such as the High Power RGB LED Weatherproof Flexible Light Strips - WFLS-RGB from superbrightleds.com. I love those and you can get them two and four led wide. The cheap strips on amazon.com do not work well and their color consistency is poor (trust me on that). They also have some nice controllers.

But I used a RF remote high output RGB controller (Genssi Music Sound Sensitive Wireless RGB LED Strip Light Controller 144W from amazon.com) that allowed color changing, fixed colors or even sound activated effects. It had a nice 256 step dimming feature for a smooth and very adjustable brightness. And being RF I use the remote outside when lounging on warm summer nights. There is a controller that have a touch color wheel you can slide your finger around to select both intensity and color (TORCHSTAR Touch Panel LED RGB Controller w/ Rainbow Color Ring DC12V-24V 12A/3 Channels-Black Version TR08) on amazon). Both these controllers can run up to two 150/5050 5Meter strips.

I did drill a small hole at the end of the strings through the wall and into the back of a kitchen cabinet, then ran hidden 12V power wires to the overhead light (between the ceiling and the roof). That was the hardest part actually, I used a electricians snake. Hooking up the controller was quick and easy since the controller had screw connectors.

Some mentioned that glueing RGB strips might ruin the trailer exterior paint when removed. Probably true but I plan on replacing the strips should they fail anyway. I sealed the small hole for the wires with silicon, you can barely see it. It stays with the RV.

If anything, it is a nice effect to have these lights, especially aqua or light purple colors. No bugs seem to be attracted to them. My neighbors comment all the time how nice they are, and camping with them is great.

[peaches_cream]

Ok gang, I installed my LED strip today. I put them on the metal shroud that covers the awning when retracted. I put them as close to the side of the MH as possible, but not on the MH. We sat out tonite and are very happy with the results. We have not retracted the awning but feel there will be no pressure on the strip when retracted. I agree, the lights will not luminate when the awning is retracted, but We very seldom sit out if we cannot extend the awning. Thanks to everyone that replied with their posts.

[peaches_cream]

Sinecure wrote:

MB Flatlander wrote:
For those that have attached them to the trailer below the awning is there any issues with them attracting flying insects? Think its a great idea on the trailer as opposed to the awning but around here there isn't many nights your not fighting off the mosquito's during the summer and this might make it difficult to get into the trailer wihtout a swarm coming in with you.

I have done exactly what the OP is looking to do. My LED's have been on my awning roller for over a year now with great results. No problems with rolling them up, and no damaged LEDs. All I have to do when I arrive at the campground is put the awning out and plug the pigtail at the end of my roller to the LED controller and 12v DC adapter. There is a remote so I can change the color, brightness, or program the lights to change/strobe, all from my chair.

As far as attracting bugs, I find that any light will attract bugs. I have tried making the lights a yellow/orange color similar to the porch light, but it still acts as a beacon for every flying insect around. With the lights on, the insects will land on the underside of the awning or the wall of the camper. At first this was a problem since the bugs would fly inside anytime someone opened the door. But now I just aim a fan at the door so that at least they don't land in that area, and thus don't fly in when entering/exiting the camper.

Thanks for the info. I have been wanting info from one's that have mounted to the roller.

[Sinecure]

MB Flatlander wrote:
For those that have attached them to the trailer below the awning is there any issues with them attracting flying insects? Think its a great idea on the trailer as opposed to the awning but around here there isn't many nights your not fighting off the mosquito's during the summer and this might make it difficult to get into the trailer wihtout a swarm coming in with you.

I have done exactly what the OP is looking to do. My LED's have been on my awning roller for over a year now with great results. No problems with rolling them up, and no damaged LEDs. All I have to do when I arrive at the campground is put the awning out and plug the pigtail at the end of my roller to the LED controller and 12v DC adapter. There is a remote so I can change the color, brightness, or program the lights to change/strobe, all from my chair.

As far as attracting bugs, I find that any light will attract bugs. I have tried making the lights a yellow/orange color similar to the porch light, but it still acts as a beacon for every flying insect around. With the lights on, the insects will land on the underside of the awning or the wall of the camper. At first this was a problem since the bugs would fly inside anytime someone opened the door. But now I just aim a fan at the door so that at least they don't land in that area, and thus don't fly in when entering/exiting the camper.

[peaches_cream]

Helmsey wrote:
I have a set of the waterproof strips on my awning tube and it rolls up with no issues. I have had it on for a while now and the only issue being some water has gotten in the ends of the strip that extends past the awning material. I am not worried about it as you can replace the strip for less than $20, I figure that if I can get one season out of them I will be happy. When I replace them next season I will trim them so the strip does not extend past the material and see if that makes any difference.

Here is a picture of mine at night:

Thanks so much for the info. Looks great.

[Helmsey]

I have a set of the waterproof strips on my awning tube and it rolls up with no issues. I have had it on for a while now and the only issue being some water has gotten in the ends of the strip that extends past the awning material. I am not worried about it as you can replace the strip for less than $20, I figure that if I can get one season out of them I will be happy. When I replace them next season I will trim them so the strip does not extend past the material and see if that makes any difference.

Here is a picture of mine at night:

[peaches_cream]

beemerphile1 wrote:

peaches&cream wrote:

beemerphile1 wrote:
I would install it permanently on the side of the RV under the awning. That way the lights could be used with the awning in or out and with no concerns of damage.

I have thought about that. What do you do when they burn out, and while trying to remove the stickum, you mess up the full body paint, or will they last a lifetime? I would rather stick them to the roller and if they do not last, I have hurt nothing removing them.

It is your rig, do what you want. I don't see how it would damage anything. I was just suggesting an alternative you may not have considered.

I appreciate your input. I will do what I want to do.

[beemerphile1]

peaches&cream wrote:

beemerphile1 wrote:
I would install it permanently on the side of the RV under the awning. That way the lights could be used with the awning in or out and with no concerns of damage.

I have thought about that. What do you do when they burn out, and while trying to remove the stickum, you mess up the full body paint, or will they last a lifetime? I would rather stick them to the roller and if they do not last, I have hurt nothing removing them.

It is your rig, do what you want. I don't see how it would damage anything. I was just suggesting an alternative you may not have considered.

[peaches_cream]

MB Flatlander, thanks for the last post. It has made me do alot of research. Since I only plan on using the lights with the awing extended, I am thinking of putting the strip on the underside of the metal shroud that holds my awning to the MH. I can put them there and there will be little pressure on the LED's when the awning is rolled up. Also the distance from the plug in to my power source will be less. I will not be able to use them when the awning is rolled up, but I very seldom sit outside if I cannot sit under the awning. I also have a 12 volt power source close to the end of the awning, so I may be able to tie there and eliminate the A/C adapter.

[peaches_cream]

MB Flatlander wrote:
Found the thread where Chrisb370 used them on the roller bcak in 2010. Maybe he might chime in.

LED Awning Lights - Chrisb370

That is what I want to do. May go ahead and try it as replacement lights are very economical.

[MB_Flatlander]

Found the thread where Chrisb370 used them on the roller bcak in 2010. Maybe he might chime in.

LED Awning Lights - Chrisb370

[vermilye]

beemerphile1 wrote:
I would install it permanently on the side of the RV under the awning. That way the lights could be used with the awning in or out and with no concerns of damage.

I did & it works well -

[mikestock]

I do it the way you want to. I have a section of RG6 coax running from my existing porch light along the wall and down the awning arm, terminated by a barrel connector. When I unfold the awning I use a short piece of RG6 to complete the circuit. The jumper has an RG6 connector on one end. The center wire makes up the pos. circuit and I use the braided shield to make the neg. side. Done this for a couple of years with no problems.

One note: The first string of lights I bought was sticky back, weather resistant. They didn't last. I replaced them with a set of encapsulated lights that were considered weather proof but had no sticky back. I attached them with clear silicone. I have not lost a single light and the silicone worked great for about 6 months, so far.