LED lights under awning question for 23IKSS

[sewingcybermom]

I have to replace my led lights that are under my awning, as almost 1/3 aren't working. I know this is probably a warranty issue, but I don't want to drive it to the next state and have it sit for something so simple. I do have a track on my camper that holds the lights so replacing them is an easy job.
sooooo...my question:

If you had to replace them, would you put them back up under the awning, or put them on the end of the awning on the tube? I am noticing that the section of lights that is "hidden" by my kitchen slide on the 23IKSS doesn't provide much light under the awning.

I would like anyone that has this camper that has used their lights in a real camping environment to share their opinion on how well the led light strip shines on the under awning area while that slide is out. Maybe it's not that bright on mine because so many of mine aren't working? HELP!

[DK-in-SC]

Hello - you are correct, a big chunk of the LED gets blocked by the kitchen slide. It would be nice to have it on the outside edge of the awning but because it rolls up much like an old window shade I don't think it is possible. The LED would be covered by the awning fabric if you had it partially deployed, and the wires would get twisted as it rolled in and out.
On our 23IKSS I will deploy the awning almost all the way but leaving an inch or two of clearance above the kitchen slide so some of the light can get out. On a related note, I loved that ours had the LED strip but I found it was awfully bright at night so I installed a remote dimmer that tones it down. Works great.


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[Carlosrod]

DK and Cybermom

I will let you know how it turns out.
I currently don't have an issue with my LED strip, but the fact that I lose some light with the slide, I was not happy.
Just today, I installed an LED strip on the entire length of the awning tube. I ran the wire along the same awning arm that contains the wiring for the awning. I will have to be very diligent in plugging and unplugging the strip prior to extending and retracting the awning, but I think I can handle that part. I then went thru the same hole and reseated with silicone. The controller and power I placed under the front storage area.
I'll send you a picture as soon as I can. I was short a connector so waiting for it to arrive. I should have it up and lit in another day or two.


"Live" so that when your children hear the words Ethics, Integrity or Honor, they would think of You.

[vinmaker]

mom. They already burnt out? You just got the camper. I think you can purchase better LED's than the stock ones. You can also get multi colored ones on a remote control. lol. You will love it.

Vin.

[1beachbum]

Sewingcybermom, Are you referring to your "scare" lights? My 23ikss has a yellow "porch" light and bright LED "scare" lights. I will watch the next time to see if any of the scare LED's have burned out.


I would like to add multi-color LED's with a remote but haven't decided how & where to mount them. I will be watching this thread closely to see how others have mounted LED's, on the SO or on the awning.

[sewingcybermom]

Originally Posted by vinmaker

mom. They already burnt out? You just got the camper. I think you can purchase better LED's than the stock ones. You can also get multi colored ones on a remote control. lol. You will love it.

Vin.

Yep, they are a hot mess. I'm almost embarassed to turn them on they look so bad. I'll have to replace them for sure. I'm looking for warm white lights..don't care if they have other colors, I'm pretty boring that way. Any ideas of where to get this type? I just want to wire them into the original switch. Should be pretty easy, but I want to get the right ones...not blaring white ones.

[Ken K.]

Maybe these will work!

SUPERNIGHT(TM) 5630 300Led SMD Warm White Cuttable LED Light Strip Flexible Strip Led Light Waterproof Indoor & Outdoor Xmas Decorative Light Strip 5M 16.4ft DC 12V - Outdoor Lightstrings - Amazon.com

[HONDAMAN174]

You mean like these blaring white ones:


They are not that bad!

And yes you need to remember to disconnect before rolling up awning

[Carlosrod]

Thanks Hondaman.

I won't ask you how you know. LOL

[HONDAMAN174]

Actually- I've been good about it. When I turn the lights off for the night, I disconnect. That way if Someone else need to roll in the awning it won't get messed up. Got a RF remote for it that I'm waiting to install. 👍

[Carlosrod]

Ok CyberMom and everyone else on the thread. Let me know what you think.

As promised, here are some pictures of my awning lights. Project was pretty simple. Hardest part was having to run a new outlet which I spliced from the outlet already on the cabinet, but I'm sure an extension cord will work just as well.

By the way, they look Awesome at night.




Red Lights


Plug where it meets the Tube


Wire down the Awning Arm Channel


Controller and Newly installed Outlet in Storage Compartment


Entry Point and Remote Receiver Point

[sewingcybermom]

Originally Posted by Carlosrod

Ok CyberMom and everyone else on the thread. Let me know what you think.

As promised, here are some pictures of my awning lights. Project was pretty simple. Hardest part was having to run a new outlet which I spliced from the outlet already on the cabinet, but I'm sure an extension cord will work just as well.

By the way, they look Awesome at night.




Red Lights


Plug where it meets the Tube


Wire down the Awning Arm Channel


Controller and Newly installed Outlet in Storage Compartment


Entry Point and Remote Receiver Point

thanks! This helps a lot, should we go this route. I do like the idea of the lights on the awning tube. We'll take a better look at things on our first trip out.

[HONDAMAN174]

Carlosrod- how long was the wire for the controller to the LEDs? Did you have to get an extension for it?

I ended up with just the bright white unit so I didn't use a controller. I did runs 4 cable sprinkler wire so if I ever wanted to change to the multi color I could without having to re run wiring.

[chriscowles]

Originally Posted by DK-in-SC

On a related note, I loved that ours had the LED strip but I found it was awfully bright at night so I installed a remote dimmer that tones it down. Works great.

Can you provide details about the dimmer, source, and installation methods?

Thanks



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[DK-in-SC]

Originally Posted by chriscowles

Can you provide details about the dimmer, source, and installation methods?

Hi Chris - sorry for the delay in responding. Here is the dimmer that I purchased: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EU71FEY

On my 23IKSS there is a cabinet to the left of the entry door. In that cabinet is a removable access panel behind which are the wires for both the power awning and also the factory installed LED strip. To install the dimmer, I just cut the line going to the LED strip and spliced in the little dimmer module. You will have to clip off the plugs on the end of the dimmer module, but that was easy to do.

The wire used in the dimmer module is very small compared to the wire feeding the LED strip. I was concerned that it was under-rated and would have issues but the directions for the dimmer claim that it is good for up to 4 or 6amps (I don't recall which). The LED strip doesn't even draw a half an amp so I figured it was ok. So far it has worked well.

The signal from the dimmer's remote to the module travels with radio waves (RF) and not infrared like many TV remotes, so hiding the module in the cabinet doesn't impact the use of the remote in the least. We are using the LED strip a lot more now that I am able to tone it down a bit.

[bob caldwell]

You guys really need to go to the mods part of the forum...... this subject has been really covered from a to z.

[OldCoot]

We have a new moderator on board.

[bob caldwell]

Originally Posted by OldCoot

We have a new moderator on board.

Read my signature........