What's with the blue lights?

CarpeDiem · 06-23-2016, 09:40 PM

We are on our first trip with our new Grey Wolf 24RK. We are sitting here enjoying adult beverages and have a question. First some background. We went to two different dealers to buy this TT. Both the salespeople made a big deal about the blue lights under the awning and above the slide out on the inside. We both looked at each other and shrugged. Well here we are on our first trip and we tried them out. Too bright and to much for our liking. We did see another TT later that was using them, and another person who had set up his own bunch of blue lights. What are we missing? Do blue lights not attract bugs? To us it just looks like disco night, but if there is an advantage we're on board.

Briorick · 06-23-2016, 10:12 PM

Our last camping trip out we noticed the TT on the next site over from us had bright blue lights coming from under their awning. From a distance they actually looked like "black lights" the way they were glowing. Pretty cool, but if that's all they do they were quite bright. Not sure if they had a way of toning down the brightness.

On our TT we have the built-in rope light under the awning that has the remote with the interchangeable colors, hue saturation and brightness control. As much as I loved the Black Light poster effects back in the 70's, I am liking these newer lights a whole lot nicer. You can "set your mood".

Ford Idaho · 06-23-2016, 10:16 PM

JMHO.

Moparman1230 · 06-23-2016, 10:24 PM

We have a brand new Cherokee 294BH. Ours also has the blue led strip under the awning and main slide. I can tell you they still attract bugs, I have the guts all over my awning to prove it. We thought we could use the blue slide light as a "night light" for the kids. Turns out it is also too bright during the night and it drove me absolutely crazy. Cool idea, but I think it could have been executed better.

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Briorick · 06-23-2016, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ford Idaho

JMHO.

Back in the 70's I worked at the local Movie Theater and this was playing there.
Yep, amazing how many dance moves were being mocked inside that theater from that show. The 70's were a great time. Wouldn't attempt them now though, would definitely throw something out of joint!

tinkerreknit · 06-24-2016, 06:59 AM

I see them all the time. Awning lights and also rope lights on the ground. I guess the party crowd likes them, and they are probably good when kids are running around in the evening, but we simply prefer it to be dark when the sun goes down. LP campfire, back-lit ebook readers, and ambient light are our preference. I did put a blue LED strip under the steps (5th wheel) that I use if we are away, or are expecting company. That soft blue is pretty cool.

jeff64 · 06-24-2016, 07:09 AM

Mines got the white leds and boy howdy are they bright. Are they still putting the blue leds in the Dometic refrigerators?

polishdon · 06-24-2016, 07:10 AM

My wolf pack came with the blue lights under the awning, step and over the slide too. The sales woman said they use them because they don't attract bugs, after the first time out when my awning light looked like it was flickering from all the bugs near it, I determined she was full of crap. lol I do like the look though, guess it reminds me of my old rave DJ days.

**Flybob** · 06-24-2016, 07:19 AM

My guess is it nothing more than a trend based on their presumptive ( WOTD) effect on humans.

From the experts online:
Blue is the colour of the mind and is essentially soothing; it affects us mentally, rather than the physical reaction we have to red. Strong blues will stimulate clear thought and lighter, soft blues will calm the mind and aid concentration. Consequently it is serene and mentally calming. It is the colour of clear communication. Blue objects do not appear to be as close to us as red ones. Time and again in research, blue is the world's favourite colour.

Moparman1230 · 06-24-2016, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flybob

My guess is it nothing more than a trend based on their presumptive ( WOTD) effect on humans.

From the experts online:
Blue is the colour of the mind and is essentially soothing; it affects us mentally, rather than the physical reaction we have to red. Strong blues will stimulate clear thought and lighter, soft blues will calm the mind and aid concentration. Consequently it is serene and mentally calming. It is the colour of clear communication. Blue objects do not appear to be as close to us as red ones. Time and again in research, blue is the world's favourite colour.

I feel like I should light up a doobie.[emoji23]

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Simplewon · 06-24-2016, 07:43 AM

Ours came with the blue. On the grey wolf I added a switch and strip of white ones right along side the blue ones. On our current trailer camping world swapped the outside ones for bright white and we don't use the inside ones as they are still blue.

jeff64 · 06-24-2016, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moparman1230

I feel like I should light up a doobie.[emoji23]

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X2

Paulie1138 · 06-24-2016, 07:55 AM

Hi to the all-too bright ones out there! Just add a dimmer! Amazon or flea-bay has them cheap, and they are easy to add. They come in many varieties- and some have remote controls that you can place almost anywhere. Just determine whether your lights are incandescent or LED. A simple connection to the power leads that run to the light, and you are done. Many even have an on/off feature on the remote.

Mr Havercamp · 06-24-2016, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moparman1230

I feel like I should light up a doobie.[emoji23]

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Too bad KC is so far from here, I'd drive over and twist up a Scooby snack with you

SeaDog · 06-24-2016, 08:21 AM

I got lucky the only blue LED came in my fridge and Dometic sent me the white LED board to replace them. My awning lite is white LED and way to bright also. I have not seen the blue awning lights yet.

CarpeDiem · 06-24-2016, 08:37 AM

I don't mean to offend anyone who likes them, they are just too bright for us. A dimmer would be a good idea.

As far as the salesperson saying they don't attract bugs . . . One of the best lessons anyone can learn is if you don't have a good, correct answer then "I don't know" is best. IMHO.

Big Vic · 06-24-2016, 09:02 AM

My under awning LED light strip can make several colors, and includes a dimmer feature. My favorite is blue on the lowest brightness setting, which is relaxing, serves as a night light upon returning to the trailer, and doesn't seem to bother the neighbors because it is subtle. Having the dimmer feature is great.

MaineCampingFan · 06-24-2016, 09:25 AM

The LED's on my Freedom Express are bright as well. So bright, last weekend a Cessna 172 mistook my lights for approach lights on short final. Man those tire marks come off the roof hard.

I'm going to make a change, not sure whether to change out the strip to one that colors can be changed/dimmed or put in a controller. The main strip is on an interior switch along with the step LED, which I like.

Saw someone's site this past weekend in which multiple strips of Christmas tree lights were laid out on the ground, surrounding the site. To each their own....

head gamez · 06-24-2016, 10:23 AM

The lights don't bother me, but I am finding that I am more tolerant than allot of campers. Maybe that makes me "the problem" lol.

One thing about lights that I haven't figured out is why do people turn on the marker (running, clearance, parking) lights (whatever you call them) while parked at the campground? Doesn't bother me, but have always wondered why they do it. Guess I will ask the next time I see it.

2016 Sandpiper 376BHOK
2500HD Chevrolet

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172av8r · 06-24-2016, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by head gamez

The lights don't bother me, but I am finding that I am more tolerant than allot of campers. Maybe that makes me "the problem" lol.

One thing about lights that I haven't figured out is why do people turn on the marker (running, clearance, parking) lights (whatever you call them) while parked at the campground? Doesn't bother me, but have always wondered why they do it. Guess I will ask the next time I see it.

2016 Sandpiper 376BHOK
2500HD Chevrolet

Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

I usually turn on my marker lights when camping. Just for decoration, like having the lights hanging from the awning. Does give off a little bit of light to the campsite, too.

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