LED dimmer

[D Casten]

(2015 WP 18EC) I have the LED light strip up under the electric awning. Is there any reason I couldn't replace the light switch with a dimmer switch?

[ScottBrownstein]

Originally Posted by D Casten

(2015 WP 18EC) I have the LED light strip up under the electric awning. Is there any reason I couldn't replace the light switch with a dimmer switch?

No there isn't. However, first check to see if you have access to not only the positive voltage feed to the light stril but also THE NEGATIVE RETURN. Inexpensive dimmers generally need access to both wires. If the return is through the chassis, a general purpose LED dimmer won't work and you will need to search for a dimmer that will work without the return.

[D Casten]

Thx Scott, I'll take a look at the switch next time Im in the trailer.

[ChateauV10]

One thing to consider is if the light strip contains a regulator (driver circuit) or not. If the strip operates at like 8-30 volts, indicating it has an integral driver, a dimmer may not work very well.

[D Casten]

for us non-electricians .... How would I check that?
(This is the factory installed awning light strip on a 2014 18EC)

[Happy Vibe]

You will more than likely need a 12V dimmer not the style you would use in your house 120V. This type of led dimmer use PWM to dim the lights not just changing the voltage.
Something like this would work Robot Check or you can get a remote controller version I use this one on my interior lights DC12-24V 8A RF LED Dimmer Controller, PWM Dimming Control Wireless Dimmer Switch w/ 3 Button Key-chain RF Remote for 3528 5050 5630 3014 Single Color LED Strips, Ribbon Lights, Tape Lights: Wall Dimmer Switches: Amazon.com: Home Improvement

[ChateauV10]

Originally Posted by D Casten

for us non-electricians .... How would I check that?
(This is the factory installed awning light strip on a 2014 18EC)

There is no really easy way to check. From what I can tell, just about every LED light strip sold today is dimmable, so there is an excellent chance yours is too. I'd find a LED dimmer at a reasonable cost (<$15 maybe) and see how it goes. Try it out first before you spend much time in making it a neat install and go from there.

Good Luck!

[ChibullsAN]

I used a 12v dimmer from amazon, worked perfect.

[D Casten]

So I pulled the switch in the trailer. There is just one red wire running in and out of the switch.
Will any of the above switches work?
If I get a dimmer with pos/neg do I simply ground the switch to the battery?

[ScottBrownstein]

Based on my research you need a dimmer that can support the single wire feed. Most of the dimmers on Amazon have two leads and without the return from the lights you need a special dimmer. I had found some, but this instant I am coming up with a blank on that style dimmer. The inexpensive PWM dimmers on Amazon have both a positive and negative lead...single wire is going to be a problem there.

[ScottBrownstein]

Here is the kind of dimmer you need. Not sure if this one is big enough for the light strip but the concept is there. Search auto LED dimmer. They are used to common and inaccessible grounds. MODULE, DIMMING CONTROL, FOR USE WITH LED LIT GAUGES (UP TO 6)

You can also hunt down the negative lead for the light strip and use a cheaper one if you can find it.

[mjbenedict]

I traced the wires where they exited the trailer and they were easily accessible inside the front outside storage hatch. That is where I mounted my dimmer which required cutting both positive and negative wires and placing inline. The dimmer I got from Amazon has a remote control that I keep on my keyring. It works great.
Dimmer at Amazon

[rsdata]

specialty LED products...

call them

DIMMER-WP3 Wireless Control Panel and LED Dimmer Module - M4 Products

[D Casten]

Originally Posted by mjbenedict

I traced the wires where they exited the trailer and they were easily accessible inside the front outside storage hatch. That is where I mounted my dimmer which required cutting both positive and negative wires and placing inline. The dimmer I got from Amazon has a remote control that I keep on my keyring. It works great.
Dimmer at Amazon

Thanks all for comments. Had not thought about mounting it up where both wires are ...Mount it up there and get one with a remote and velcrow it inside.

again thanks all.