LED strip lights

[b1b1das]

Originally Posted by wneise

I got the above kit for my rig. It works great, although I'm not to sure about the waterproof part. The controller and the power supply are not and the strip looks like it is not coated, but they were pretty cheap and I know that a 150 strip of 5050 LEDs is enough to light the campsite.

Your right about the controller and power supply. My light strips have a clear rubber sleeve around them and are sealed pretty well. I wired mine in direct through the side light and placed the controller and power supply in the kitchen cabinet. I just open the cabinet and control them with the remote.

[Taranwanderer]

Sorry to resurrect this old thread, and I'm sure this has probably been asked and answered before, but I'm trying to wrap my head around this awning LED thing, so here goes:

I'd like to mount an LED strip of lights directly on the power awning tube, flat style so that they will roll right up with the awning. The thing I can't get my brain around is the wiring. First off, I want it to be 12V DC, not 120V AC--I want it to be permanently wired and work when I'm dry camping. Second, there are already power wires going into the awning motor in the tube (I know, it's just two wires and one of them--likely the positive--is switched from the inside to move the motor in or out depending on the rocker switch.) But how does that wiring go into that tube/motor assembly and get twisted around every time the awning wraps/unwraps? Is there some kind of sliding/spinning electrical contact that swivels around to keep the wire from binding? Or do those two wires just twist around the 8-10 revolutions every time you open/close it? If anyone can explain this to me, it'll go far in planning my wiring for the LEDs. Thanks!

[miatared]

I've had mine installed since May. I stuck them on the awning alum tube, I put a tie-wrap at both ends to secure it, but I only connect them once the awning is out, takes all but 2 minutes. I run the 12V adapter down the awning side arms (manual awning) to the 110V outlet. Works great.

I disconnect them when it rains and when rolling up the awning.

My only issue is that some LEDs have lost a color - 3 or 4 of them only work in Red and Green... but that's OK, for the $35 or so I spend I am very happy with them.

I cannot see how they could be wired permanently... one would need a swivel connector of some sort... dunno.

Good luck.

[TURBS]

You would need a Commentator ring

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by Taranwanderer

Sorry to resurrect this old thread, and I'm sure this has probably been asked and answered before, but I'm trying to wrap my head around this awning LED thing, so here goes:

I'd like to mount an LED strip of lights directly on the power awning tube, flat style so that they will roll right up with the awning. The thing I can't get my brain around is the wiring. First off, I want it to be 12V DC, not 120V AC--I want it to be permanently wired and work when I'm dry camping. Second, there are already power wires going into the awning motor in the tube (I know, it's just two wires and one of them--likely the positive--is switched from the inside to move the motor in or out depending on the rocker switch.) But how does that wiring go into that tube/motor assembly and get twisted around every time the awning wraps/unwraps? Is there some kind of sliding/spinning electrical contact that swivels around to keep the wire from binding? Or do those two wires just twist around the 8-10 revolutions every time you open/close it? If anyone can explain this to me, it'll go far in planning my wiring for the LEDs. Thanks!

You can run a separate set of wires along the ones for the motor and get 12v plus a ground down in the basement. The motor wires go down the support and enter the basement at the bottom of the awning support. You just have to dig all the caulking out and make sure you re-caulk it when finished.