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Old 04-05-2015, 09:36 AM   #1
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Adding Awning Led Lights

I am looking at installing a 16 ft strip of Led Lights under my awning. What is the best way to connect the electric so it is more permanent?
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Old 04-05-2015, 10:40 AM   #2
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Are you mounting them on the side or on the roller tube?
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Old 04-05-2015, 10:41 AM   #3
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You are going to a bunch of ideas on your question. Big question is where you will get your 12v from. I ran 4 wire sprinkler cord into the supports thru the hole the factory used and underneath the paneling to my front storage area. I used the sprinkler cord so if I ever decide to upgrade to a rgb strip extra wires are already there. Tapped into cargo light and got power. Bought an on/off switch dimmer off of Amazon which works great but just found an RF one with remote that I am waiting to put in. Put a two pin connector from radio shack at the top and just connect it while awning is out. You may want to pick up a cheap solider iron as the wires that come on the strips are WAY small. I added 18ga wires that would hold up a little better. Click image for larger version

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Old 04-05-2015, 11:38 AM   #4
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I plan on mounting the led strip just under the roller tube. The lights I am looking at fit into a track the you stick on first. Unfortunately my storage areas are on the back side of TT.
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Old 04-05-2015, 12:08 PM   #5
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I reluctantly drilled a hole into the camper right where the front of the tape light ends. I knew it would come out in the medicine cabinet where I could run through there to a closet and into the basement storage of our 5th wheel. I siliconed the hole and made sure to get plenty in the hole as well. Worked out really good. Mine are stuck to the trailer using the adhesive that came on them.
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Old 04-05-2015, 12:12 PM   #6
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I mounted mine on the side of the trailer under the awning track. I don't really have permanent wiring solution yet as I just have some clips on the side of the left awning bracket running down the trailer to where there's a plug on the side of the trailer. I just unhook and remove the cord running down the bracket when I'm in transit and all seems well.

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Old 04-05-2015, 01:45 PM   #7
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Vibe- post up a pic of your side of your unit. Might give us an idea.


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Old 04-06-2015, 05:28 PM   #8
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I mounted my LED's under the awning tube, on the side of the trailer. My awning is 20' long, LED strip comes 16', I bought another section, tied it into the first, so my lights are the length of the awning. I've got a 2013, Rockwood Sig. Ultra Light, 8315BSS. Ran the 12volt power cord up and into the refrigerator vent, then down inside the wall, tied it into the 12 volt behind the refrigerator. Also mounted my remote there. I can control the lights by holding the remote next to the refrigerator access panel. Works great.


Would send a picture, but can't figure how to insert it.
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Old 04-06-2015, 05:50 PM   #9
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For one method of install,
Your RV Podcast
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Old 04-06-2015, 08:43 PM   #10
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I have 2 sets of lights on my Crusader. A white strip is attached to the trailer under the awning mount and is applied using the self sticking tape. I drilled a small hole in the porch light housing and tied them in the wires in the housing and removed the bulb. They are very bright and light the area well. I also mounted a colored 110v strip on the roller tube that can only be seen when the awning is open. I ran an extension cord in the awning support arm and plug it into an outside outlet.
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Old 04-06-2015, 09:27 PM   #11
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Added the strip of LED awning lights to our 2014 Sliverback 33RL....wiring was a little bit of a challenge but was able to get thru where electric awning wires runs down the right hand support of the awning.......then was able to work wires in where awning wires go back into the side of the RV...drilled a hole thru into front bedroom...just happened to come out next to the dresser...worked wires thru the dresser to the other end of dresser where there was a 110 wall outlet.....looks good in all colors or white depending on the mood...mine are by LED Wholesalers thru Amazon....came with an AC/DC adapter and remote.
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Old 05-06-2016, 06:42 PM   #12
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The factory hole that you used to get into the camper...did it open up into the cargo compartment? I thought about that but my factory hole does not go into the cargo area.
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Old 05-11-2016, 09:58 PM   #13
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On Camper LED strip

I took a two 3/4 by 3/4 inch aluminum right angle (JB weld together), adhered it to the camper to make a 45 degree down angle. I don't have to worry about plugging it in... power runs inside the closet.
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Old 05-12-2016, 06:08 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kfcherry View Post
The factory hole that you used to get into the camper...did it open up into the cargo compartment? I thought about that but my factory hole does not go into the cargo area.
The hole I used didn't go into the cargo area...it only provided a hole thru the outer skin of the camper where the awning wires go back up or down the wall of the camper, don't really remember which direction....I did a little measuring and found that if I went on thru the inner wall of the camper it would come out near the floor of our bedroom next to the dresser...chose the smallest drill bit so the small wires of the led lights would go thru.....this is on a 2014 Cedar Creek Silverback.
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Old 05-12-2016, 06:27 PM   #15
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Do these LED strips last any longer than the factory installed LED awning lights? I believe they all worked the entire first trip, one week, but ever since they are quickly burning out.
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Old 05-12-2016, 07:46 PM   #16
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Originally Posted by M&K Hoffman View Post
Do these LED strips last any longer than the factory installed LED awning lights? I believe they all worked the entire first trip, one week, but ever since they are quickly burning out.
I am on our second season and not a single issue with burnt out bulbs. When used with the correct controller, LED strips will will last years. The only way they would "burn" out is if they are over voltage. Here is what I have: SUPERNIGHT 5050 16.4ft 5M RGBWW LED Strip
Link: http://amzn.com/B00K5NDCKW
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Old 05-12-2016, 07:50 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tracer215AIR View Post
I am on our second season and not a single issue with burnt out bulbs. When used with the correct controller, LED strips will will last years. The only way they would "burn" out is if they are over voltage. Here is what I have: SUPERNIGHT 5050 16.4ft 5M RGBWW LED Strip
Link: http://amzn.com/B00K5NDCKW
I have the exact same ones from amazon. No issues after one season.
.
.
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Old 05-12-2016, 08:29 PM   #18
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I added color LED's I got on Amazon to my 2007 Rockwood 2603.

I wired it from the front interior overhead storage compartment and powered it from the light fixture under the compartment.

I drilled out at an angle, up to as close to the gutter. I ran the wire along underneath the gutter and started the LED's pass the edge of the awning so it wouldn't glare out into the rest of the camping area. I used white silicon caulk to seal it under there.

I then ordered and installed the RF controller on the compartment wall so I can operate the LED's from as far as 100' away.

I also added an inline roller switch so that I could shut off the controller if needed.
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Old 05-12-2016, 08:35 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tracer215AIR View Post
I am on our second season and not a single issue with burnt out bulbs. When used with the correct controller, LED strips will will last years. The only way they would "burn" out is if they are over voltage. Here is what I have: SUPERNIGHT 5050 16.4ft 5M RGBWW LED Strip
Link: http://amzn.com/B00K5NDCKW
The factory awning lights don't have a controller. They are only white and the run directly off the 12 VDC buss.
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Old 05-13-2016, 05:13 PM   #20
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The factory awning lights don't have a controller. They are only white and the run directly off the 12 VDC buss.
My sister and her husband just bought a new 5er and have that same setup. We traced the LED's to the switch panel, we plan on ordering the RF box and installing it there, behind the switch panel.
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