I have read pages upon pages on this thread. Has anyone used the patio light as a power source? It would seem obvious to do, but I am trying to figure out how I can do such a thing. The win would be that it is tied to a switch. Let me know. Thanks.
I have read pages upon pages on this thread. Has anyone used the patio light as a power source? It would seem obvious to do, but I am trying to figure out how I can do such a thing. The win would be that it is tied to a switch. Let me know. Thanks.
Been done; just not by me.
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Lou & Freya the wonder dog
2008 GMC Sierra 3000HD Allison Duramax
2019 Flagstaff 8529FL
That is exactly what I want to do. Just trying to figure out how they are using the lightbulb to connect to the barrel connector. Who did it, so I can send a message?
That is exactly what I want to do. Just trying to figure out how they are using the lightbulb to connect to the barrel connector. Who did it, so I can send a message?
Looks like they broke the bulb and soldered the wires to the filament standoffs. Would require a light touch with a soldering iron.
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Lou & Freya the wonder dog
2008 GMC Sierra 3000HD Allison Duramax
2019 Flagstaff 8529FL
That is exactly what I want to do. Just trying to figure out how they are using the lightbulb to connect to the barrel connector. Who did it, so I can send a message?
They have these, you can plug power supply in to it and still have a bulb as well. Cheap too.
See post 1240 (page 124) posted by LKicklight, which I quoted below; he goes into detail with what he did, and I believe the pic in question is from his mod. He responded to a PM I sent on the subject, another helpful and friendly guy!
Please note his closing statement here though - keeping the bulb in there might make things too hot for the controller.
I plan on tapping into power source for my step light down below, and securing the controller in that area behind the outer wall, with remote sensor sticking out so it can work. Got most of the idea speced out, just been busy working and doing house chores, etc to go out and finish it. Ran off of AC in the interim, which was not so bad.
S
Quote:
Originally Posted by LKicklight
I did post a thread on hooking up to the porch lite...here is a photo that shoes what I did:
Remove the light assembly from the side of the r/v...take the wire connectors off, they cannot be used again..get a new pair...take your DC wires from the transmitter and hook them up to the porch wires..replace the outside light base back on the RV..the transmitter will be housed inside the light base with the amber cover over it...the wiring that goes to the string that has the plug must run through the light base...cut a hole large enough for the square plug to pass through..plug it into the light string..wrapped the plus with a good tape...the antenna wire will come through another hole in the bottom of the light assy...both of the holes that you have cut will have to be caulked back closed with a good exterior silicone caulk..I used a white...purchase six tie wrap anchors that have sticky back..place them between the lite string and the light assembly..purchase a package of 3/8" white flexible wire cover loom...cut it to lenght, place the wire and plug inside this..ty wrap that to the ty-wrap anchor pads..the other wire for the antenna is done the same way...make sure the little round looking globe faces out as that controller must see it..
Here is a photo taken from a distance..you can see and get the idea...check back if you have any problems..do not put your bulb back in the outside light...will get to hot for the transmitter that will be in there:
The mod is kinda fun and addictive - just like this forum in general!
Wayne
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Wayne and Kim
2014 Cedar Creek 36CKTS
2011 Ford F250 King Ranch 4x2 Diesel, added springs
Nights camped: 2014 - 32; 2013 - 23
My apologies Happy.Trainer - it was Cyclepuck who did the wire connected to bulb thing you were asking about, post 555, page 56; I quoted it below. He further advised me about it (I took a spare bulb and broke the glass. Then soldered the wire to that. Red to the center wire black to the base and just stick it in the socket. Velcro the control box to inside of light housing and drilled two holes in bottom for the sensor and 4-way plug to stick through. Bought a 4-wire extension on ebay and just run the cord from light to led strip when we get to the campground. I did it that way because I didn't want to drill holes in the trailer and it turns on with the inside switch.). He was very helpful (Cyclepuck, I hope u don't mind me sharing ur trade secrets! )
I wish you luck with the mod - post pics to let us know how it turns out!
Wayne
Quote:
Originally Posted by cyclepuck
Install mine and will get some night shots. Temporarily installed on roll then on camper. I decided to put on camper because due to the angle of the awning it reflected more light down brightening up the area a little more. Wired them into outdoor light as seen the made extension that plugs it on arrival.
Maybe I just don't understand this, but why go to the trouble of soldering to a bulb when you can just splice into the 12 v lead to the bulb?
That's part of the reason I am taking a different route and just planning on going into the step light lead, plus the porch light switch will (should) turn the lights on/off. I also get to keep the porch light, as a nice offset to the strip light (color contrast), and if I want to go low key i can turn off strip lights with remote and run just the porch/step light. At least in theory....
That plus I don't have and have never even used a soldering gun/tool!
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Wayne and Kim
2014 Cedar Creek 36CKTS
2011 Ford F250 King Ranch 4x2 Diesel, added springs
Nights camped: 2014 - 32; 2013 - 23
I just took the porch light off, cut the bulb connector out, and soldered to the wires. Works great. Thought about breaking a bulb but decided not to go that route.
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'18 Ford F250 Lariat Super Crew
'22 Rockwood 2608BS
Previous '17 Grand Design Imagine 2800BH, '13 Rockwood Roo 21SS
I just took the porch light off, cut the bulb connector out, and soldered to the wires. Works great. Thought about breaking a bulb but decided not to go that route.
If you decide to remove the LEDs for some reason, porch lights are inexpensive. Your solution is much easier on the install.
Looks like u went all the way around the front part of the undercarriage, right? What 12 volt power source did you tap into - or is it on AC for now, hence ur "almost"?
I'm gonna use my leftover piece to go around step area, tie into the other section with one of those Y connectors, and then into step power source, and my journey to the "light side" will be complete!
Wayne
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Wayne and Kim
2014 Cedar Creek 36CKTS
2011 Ford F250 King Ranch 4x2 Diesel, added springs
Nights camped: 2014 - 32; 2013 - 23
Yep went around front and 10 feet down both sides. Came up through a space at the front landing gear. Tied into the main 12v battery bar and grounding block located in the front basement compartment. Will try to post pics later, if the rain stops. Almost done got one corner that is problematic. If the rain stops hope to mount my aluminum channel and lights under the awning this afternoon.
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2012 Cedar Creek 36B4
2007 Ford F-350 Dually Crew Cab 6.0 Studded
Loving Life
I decided not to splice into the wires in front of the bulb socket due to the very limited amount of material to work with. I simply broke the bulb and soldered the supplied wire/plug to the filament leads. This method will allow me to go back to stock any time I want to if necessary.
One good thing about the setup for me is the use of the bug light switch inside, plus with the Crusader 325RES, I have a controller line of sight to the sensor from inside the atrium slide
__________________ 2020 SOB - Jayco North Point 387RDFS 2013 Crusader 325RES Touring Edition - SOLD TV: 2018 GMC Sierra Denali HD CC SRW L5P Duramax Curt Q20
DW and I got the channel up and one strip of lights. However, I am having lots of problem with the solderless connectors. They don't seem to hold the two pieces together very well. Will have to drop back and punt. Need 20' of lights, but as we all know they only come in 16' sections. The channel is two narrow to fit the plug ends.
anybody out there good at soldering?
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2012 Cedar Creek 36B4
2007 Ford F-350 Dually Crew Cab 6.0 Studded
Loving Life
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. Attachment 57605
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. Attachment 57603Attachment 57606Attachment 57607
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. Attachment 57608Attachment 57609
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. Attachment 57610
Gregg, I picked up the same wifi controller as you have. For the life of me I cannot make a connection between the phone and the controller. I tried magic color and free color. Can you point me in the right direction as to what you did to get yours setup. Thanks.
Gregg, I picked up the same wifi controller as you have. For the life of me I cannot make a connection between the phone and the controller. I tried magic color and free color. Can you point me in the right direction as to what you did to get yours setup. Thanks.
It took me a bit to get connected as well. You need to go to Settings and select Wi-Fi and let it search for the device. Of course make sure the controller is on first. Once selected, you can now leave Settings and open up the Magic Color app. Magic Color will do a scan and the device should now show up. Select the device and the main app screen will display. You should be good to go from there. Hope this helps.
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2016 Ford F-150 4x4 Supercab XLT EcoBoost
2012 Salem Cruise Lite 221RBXL, Andersen No Sway WDH, (2) Honda EU2000i's
Youroo
Phase One Complete
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