My solution to awning lights

[miatared]

I have a manual awning.

I stuck the waterproof light strip to the metal tube and tie-wrapped the end with the power connector, so it would not get undone, I angled the connected back under the awning to protect it from the elements. It stays there and does not interfere at all, it is very small.

I then stuck a piece of velcro to stick the controller and IR, under the the awning. I connect it to the light strip; I then connect to the power adapter , made all the cables the correct length, raise the awning and run it down the awning to connect it to the trailer.

Works like a charm, and yes the remote allows to change the light effects: fade in, fade out, blink, single colour, multi-colour and so on. Very nice.

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by f1100turbo

Id have to look but can't you run wire down the tube like the motor wires?
I've thought about this and was going to chop off the
end of an ext cord and feed it through tube.
hard wire it at top and have controller inside basement.

Hard to describe I'll try to take pics of my idea tonight.

I lost all my install photos when my computer ate my chip.

This is what I did. I tapped power off the basement light; ran a 2 wire out along side the power wire for the motor. Up out the top and soldered on the pigtail power connector.

I thought about moving the control box inside, but then I would need to run 4 conductor wire up the arm and drill a hole for the IR remote.

The upper and lower plastic wire covers pop right out.

[Herk7769]

My 4 wire socket is very flimsy and not weatherproof.
There is a warning not to plug the connector in backwards or it will fry the strip; so be careful.

[merlin66043]

Is one of the color options for lights white? Would assume so but just wanted to check.

thanks.

[TURBS]

I see you marked it with an arrow.
Or was that factory Chinese?

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by merlin66043

Is one of the color options for lights white? Would assume so but just wanted to check.

thanks.

Yes, there is white and it is bright white. Very nice at night and LED light supposedly does not attract bugs. (They say)

The arrow is mine and I could not find my silver paint pen when I had it up. The side of the black socket will get a mark when I do find it.

[wagon52]

Was wanting to tap into a 12v source somehow. Guess the awning motor power wire would be a source? Then taking the power box and slapping a piece of Velcro to it and the side of the camper under the awning. That way all I would have to do is plug in the power box and slap it to the side of the camper and still have the remote IR in the open. I am definitely not an electrical genius so does this make sense?

Also contemplating just sticking it to the side of the camper like Herk did as it seems easier than running wires down the awning arms. Just not sure how it would hold up in the elements and washing of the camper.

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by wagon52

Was wanting to tap into a 12v source somehow. Guess the awning motor power wire would be a source? Then taking the power box and slapping a piece of Velcro to it and the side of the camper under the awning. That way all I would have to do is plug in the power box and slap it to the side of the camper and still have the remote IR in the open. I am definitely not an electrical genius so does this make sense?

Also contemplating just sticking it to the side of the camper like Herk did as it seems easier than running wires down the awning arms. Just not sure how it would hold up in the elements and washing of the camper.

No as the awning motor only has power when the awning is in transit.
You would have to route power from a 12 volt (always ON or switched) source through the existing hole where the motor wires are and trace it through the same path that the motor wire does.

I mounted the thing with velcro right now and will just plug it in while in camp. I plan to wrap it on EB tape and make it waterproof and let it stay there.

[wagon52]

Originally Posted by herk7769

No as the awning motor only has power when the awning is in transit.
You would have to route power from a 12 volt (always ON or switched) source through the existing hole where the motor wires are and trace it through the same path that the motor wire does.

I mounted the thing with velcro right now and will just plug it in while in camp. I plan to wrap it on EB tape and make it waterproof and let it stay there.

So could I tap into the switch for the outside step light?

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by wagon52

So could I tap into the switch for the outside step light?

It would be a sloppy looking job with the wire running along the wall (IMO).

The easiest (that's my middle name) is to use a basement light and run it out to the motor or the wall following the motor wires.

[wagon52]

Originally Posted by herk7769

It would be a sloppy looking job with the wire running along the wall (IMO).

The easiest (that's my middle name) is to use a basement light and run it out to the motor or the wall following the motor wires.

I was thinking of running the wire in where the awning wires go in and trying to trace it to a power source some how. I just need to look at it in person and figure it out.


I don't have a basement. I have a light in the pass through storage up front.

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by wagon52

I don't have a basement. I have a light in the pass through storage up front.

Is this where the motor wires go up the arm?

[wagon52]

Originally Posted by herk7769

Is this where the motor wires go up the arm?

I would have to look to be honest. The awning arm is a good bit away from the front storage.

[Cincy6]

Originally Posted by miatared

I have a manual awning.

I stuck the waterproof light strip to the metal tube and tie-wrapped the end with the power connector, so it would not get undone, I angled the connected back under the awning to protect it from the elements. It stays there and does not interfere at all, it is very small.

I then stuck a piece of velcro to stick the controller and IR, under the the awning. I connect it to the light strip; I then connect to the power adapter , made all the cables the correct length, raise the awning and run it down the awning to connect it to the trailer.

Works like a charm, and yes the remote allows to change the light effects: fade in, fade out, blink, single colour, multi-colour and so on. Very nice.

Any chance of pics for those of us with manual awnings? Also, the link to Ebay from the origional post says "no white" is there no white color option? Also, is the AC adaptor to plug directly into an extension cord included in the purchase price? Thanks!

[wagon52]

Originally Posted by Cincy6

Any chance of pics for those of us with manual awnings? Also, the link to Ebay from the origional post says "no white" is there no white color option? Also, is the AC adaptor to plug directly into an extension cord included in the purchase price? Thanks!

I never noticed that it said no white. There is a "W" button on the remote. When I use that I guess it wouldn't be considered a total white but it was pretty bright. In fact, the first two pictures in my post is what you get with the "W" button. Almost more like a light blue. Yes the adaptor is included.

[Herk7769]

16.4FT IP65 5050 SMD RGB 5M Waterproof 300 LED Strip Lights +24 Key IR Remote | eBay

Has "white". It is all the leds on at the same time making white.

It is pretty bright.

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by Cincy6

Any chance of pics for those of us with manual awnings? Also, the link to Ebay from the origional post says "no white" is there no white color option? Also, is the AC adaptor to plug directly into an extension cord included in the purchase price? Thanks!

Like I said I lost all the photos of the install when "my dog at my homework." (PC ate my camera card).

There is a 12 VDC socket on the side of the control box and a short pigtail of the correct plug. The wires are red and black.

The pigtail goes into the shrink wrap and is soldered to my red/black wires to the camper's storage area light fixture.

[OldCoot]

Shhhhh, I just ordered a set. Don't tell DW, hopefully, I can get them and get them installed without her knowing. I might be able to play dumb (real easy for me as it is natural) and say "I must have misunderstood you sweetheart, I thought you wanted them"

Wish me luck.

[Rsgtivr6]

Originally Posted by herk7769

16.4FT IP65 5050 SMD RGB 5M Waterproof 300 LED Strip Lights +24 Key IR Remote | eBay

Has "white". It is all the leds on at the same time making white.

It is pretty bright.

Herk,

Does that strip fit into the awning tube slot like the other one does?

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by dunnnc

Shhhhh, I just ordered a set. Don't tell DW, hopefully, I can get them and get them installed without her knowing. I might be able to play dumb (real easy for me as it is natural) and say "I must have misunderstood you sweetheart, I thought you wanted them"

Wish me luck.

hmmmmmm I do recall I have your number !
whats it worth to ya !