My solution to awning lights

[chriscowles]

Coming soon to your TV! A new reality TV show: "Pimp my RV".

[crunchman12001]

Originally Posted by jtstromsburg

Are these waterproof for outdoors? I think all LED strips basically are, but just not the controllers!

I did not see where the last link said "waterproof" but same specs as this guy.
This guy is 4 bucks cheaper.
crunchman

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by crunchman12001

I did not see where the last link said "waterproof" but same specs as this guy.
This guy is 4 bucks cheaper.
crunchman

The much cheaper ones I bought said waterproof as well, but I needed to replace both strands after only 2 seasons. THESE are not waterproof; they are BULLETPROOF.

My next time (and there will be one), will be with these.

Herk

[textman]

Going to have extra RGB LED strips left over when I finish pimping my RV
Saw this on another electronics forum:
"You can just connect an RGB strip straight to a 12V power supply to produce a fixed colour running full brightness.
Connect the V+ wire (this will be either white or black) to power supply positive. Then connect 1 2 or 3 of the RGB wires to power supply negative to produce red green blue cyan magenta yellow or white.

A 1.5m strip of 30/m 5050 RGB strip will need around 0.8A if all LED's are ON = white."

Sounds like I can make one constant color from these RGB too, by hooking them straight into my 12 volt on the RV. Now I won't have to buy extra single color lights for the steps. DW wants them hooked to the switch like others have done. Now when she changes her mind that she don't like blue, I can play with the wiring configuration and get the constant color she wants!

[Wayne & Kimmy]

Keep the updates coming, Textman! I leave in the morning for weekend trip and will try mine out at nite for the first time, so I'm excited! I will do the 12 volt thing in time, and am steadily picking others brains here for ideas on all aspects of this project, so u too are now being watched! I can't wait to see how urs turn out!

Herk, so r u going to go with the Dream Magic series next time? I was looking at the array of color options they offer but could not tell if you can custom program a series of colors to run, say like red to white to blue . Being a vet and quite resourceful as u r, I'm sure that you will figure it out and get us all pumped up to join that bandwagon!

[textman]

Now the pressure is on!
Was talking to my son last night about the LEDs and we decided with some of the extra strips we could pimp the truck too... I told him if the wiring scenario works we can run them to the extra switches on the F350 and in theory be able to switch off and on the different color lights!

[chriscowles]

If you buy enough of these things and hook them up top a computer you can mount them in strips on the side of your RV and make moving images like the Goodyear blimp.

[Gregg Willow]

I finally installed my awning LED strip and turned out pretty well. I had initially installed the LED strip under the awning mount and thought it was a perfect fit until I turned them on during a test. I do not have the smooth fiberglass walls and the aluminum seemed to deflect the light. I then installed on the wall just under the awning mount and that was much better.

I used the weather-proof 5050 RGB and bought a quick-connect 4-pin cable to go from the LED strip to the porch light. My original porch light was incandescent and did not have a on/off switch at the fixture. So I bought an LED porch light that had the on/off switch. Since the power is coming from the porch light I wanted to control which light(s) were on. I drilled a hole on the bottom of the light just big enough for the 4-pin cable. I then wrapped the cable and LED ends with electrical tape to keep the connection dry. If the LED strip needs to be replaced it will be simple to do so.

I also decided to go with the wi-fi controller. I did not want to have another remote so I downloaded the Magic Color app to my iPhone. Its pretty cool to change color by dragging your finger around on the display. It also has a bunch of preset modes for changing colors and can respond to the music on my iPhone. I mounted the wi-fi controller in the closet behind the porch light with a Command strip. I drilled a hole through the wall behind the porch light and pushed through the LED 4-pin cable and power/ground wires to the controller.

And a pic of the lights with no flash from my iPhone. This was a fun project! Thanks for all of the great ideas and information on this thread.

[cstover]

Originally Posted by jtstromsburg

Are these waterproof for outdoors? I think all LED strips basically are, but just not the controllers!

Nope. Not waterproof. Guess I will use these for something else. Time to buy a new one. DW is thrilled.

[Wayne & Kimmy]

Originally Posted by Herk7769

Shame your step light is on the other side of the steps; as that is how I re-wired mine. (I pulled the plastic "bucket" out of the front storage area and ran the wire to it). Originally, I ran it to the basement light, but it was inconvenient to have to leave the camper to shut off the awning lights when we went to bed.

Another option is to use the existing bug light and a wire mold (or inside the wall if you can) to run the control wires up to the awning track. Use a T connector to attach the power wires to the middle of the LED track.

Hi Herk, I will be looking at the 12v wiring soon. I see on the pic you provided before that if I cut the wire that would plug into the AC transformer I will likely have red and black wires. The small step light to left of steps has wiring accessible behind the fender area which are connected with twist-on wire connectors so I should be able to tie right in there. Just wondering which wire will go to which. I didn't take a photo yet, but can if that will help. I seem to recall wires being black and white. I apologize if I sound obtuse.

Wayne

[Wayne & Kimmy]

Night photos of phase 1 of install. During recent trip I could not extend awning - motor likely bad

Phase 2 will include wiring to 12volt rather than plugging in via AC and also using leftover scrap under/behind the steps.

[grege]

Originally Posted by Wswkmw

Hi Herk, I will be looking at the 12v wiring soon. I see on the pic you provided before that if I cut the wire that would plug into the AC transformer I will likely have red and black wires. The small step light to left of steps has wiring accessible behind the fender area which are connected with twist-on wire connectors so I should be able to tie right in there. Just wondering which wire will go to which. I didn't take a photo yet, but can if that will help. I seem to recall wires being black and white. I apologize if I sound obtuse.

Wayne

If I remember correctly, black was + and white was -.

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by Wswkmw

Hi Herk, I will be looking at the 12v wiring soon. I see on the pic you provided before that if I cut the wire that would plug into the AC transformer I will likely have red and black wires. The small step light to left of steps has wiring accessible behind the fender area which are connected with twist-on wire connectors so I should be able to tie right in there. Just wondering which wire will go to which. I didn't take a photo yet, but can if that will help. I seem to recall wires being black and white. I apologize if I sound obtuse.

Wayne

Wayne, Sorry I did not see this till this morning.

Storms went through and we lost power to the house about 9PM. Gave them an hour to get it back on, but with the DW on home dialysis, I could not wait much longer to get her and all her (pre-set up ) equipment moved to the camper; get the generator powered up and connected; open it up and set it up as we would be camping (thus weekend! ) all the while in 90 degree 100% humidity and the dog freaked out from the heavy thunder.

Plans for today completely shot as we did not get much sleep while trying to work the bugs out of the dialysis set up I had planned to do in daylight! Turns out the rubber seal on the shower door compresses the drain tube enough to turn on the "slow drain" alarm every 15 minutes till I figured it out.

My advice is to meter the wires. While GregE is exactly right (normally), there is no reverse voltage protection in the LED controller an a mistake can damage it. Better to be SURE.
Herk

[Wayne & Kimmy]

Thanks Grege and Herk. I will break out the voltage meter and check things out before I get too far into it, using both of your advice as a starting point.

Herk, sounds like you had quite the adventure! That heat and humidity is no joke, even with power and AC Sounds like the storm we had here in FL made its way up to you. I guess you are quite fortunate to have the RV there at the home with you as a refuge for times like that. I'm glad you were able to take good care of your DW Laura - surely that dialysis process is an ongoing learning experience. I wish you both the best with that!

I really appreciate you taking the time to reply to me, given all you had going on. I'll let you know how things go. Have a great camping trip this weekend, and safe travels to you!

[sau4u]

Hey guys been reading through these posts. Very cool project. One question though unless I missed it. Has anyone found a connector that will swivel so it doesn't have to be disconnected at the awning prior to roll up. Thanks.

Also. Gregg willow. Where did you get the WiFi connector so you can run off of your phone. Again thanks

[billt01]

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...rip-47449.html

[CRZ]

I'm wondering about the WIFI controller also.


Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

[everett.devore]

Awesome job. Thanks for all the pics.

[grege]

Originally Posted by CRZ

I'm wondering about the WIFI controller also.


Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

Try eBay. I see them listed there.

[Gregg Willow]

Originally Posted by sau4u

Hey guys been reading through these posts. Very cool project. One question though unless I missed it. Has anyone found a connector that will swivel so it doesn't have to be disconnected at the awning prior to roll up. Thanks.

Also. Gregg willow. Where did you get the WiFi connector so you can run off of your phone. Again thanks

I got the wifi from Amazon...

Wireless RGB Wifi LED Strip Controller for iOS iPhone Android Smartphone Tablet - Electrical Wires - Amazon.com