My solution to awning lights

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by CRZ

I really do not like the pin connector. I cut the 4 pins in half and glued the 2 pieces in the joining wires opposite sides, so they don't get crossed when hooking up in the dark. Well it's hard to get the pins in the holes in the dark. Now I want to install a better connector. I'm thinking of a male female ends from a phone line. Anyone else what to change the connector out?
Picture of my pins.

Glue? What kind did you use? Conductive?

I plan on a re-wire as soon as my "Slow Boat from China" gets here and cut the ends off and solder everything up. With the controller inside the camper, waterproofing should not be an issue.

I most likely will not be drilling holes (other than the existing one for the motor). Once I decide on a "mood setting" I typically leave it alone for the night. I will be mounting the control unit in a location where I can access the sensor if I need to change my mind though.

[Homey55]

Install alternative I am thinking about for mine using a combination of the posts here and a question. I am going to stick the LED strip to the wall below the awning track. I have an electric awning and I don't carry a ladder with me so velcro-ing the controller up high is not going to work for me. I want to extend the 4-wire leads (cut and solder) down the awning arm to plug into the controller. from there I can connect the controller from ground level and plug the power adapter into the wall receptacle next to it.

Now for the question. What size conductors do I need? I found this on Radio Shack's website: Item # 2062656. 24AWG 4-wire solid conductor intercom wire. If 24AWG will work, I have a spool of 24AWG Cat 3 telephone install wire that I can use. Wire charts show 24AWG is good for 3.5A and power adapter is 12V 3A if I am reading it correctly.

Brian

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by Homey55

Install alternative I am thinking about for mine using a combination of the posts here and a question. I am going to stick the LED strip to the wall below the awning track. I have an electric awning and I don't carry a ladder with me so velcro-ing the controller up high is not going to work for me. I want to extend the 4-wire leads (cut and solder) down the awning arm to plug into the controller. from there I can connect the controller from ground level and plug the power adapter into the wall receptacle next to it.

Now for the question. What size conductors do I need? I found this on Radio Shack's website: Item # 2062656. 24AWG 4-wire solid conductor intercom wire. If 24AWG will work, I have a spool of 24AWG Cat 3 telephone install wire that I can use. Wire charts show 24AWG is good for 3.5A and power adapter is 12V 3A if I am reading it correctly.

Brian

Sounds perfect. Oh and there is enough room below the railing that the awning material slides through to stick the LED strip under there.

I am planning to use red fire rated smoke alarm wire from my burglar alarm installation days. (most of a 500 foot spool left)

[CRZ]

Originally Posted by herk7769

Glue? What kind did you use? Conductive?

I.

No, I put the pegs in and ran some fast acting jell glue. I glued the space between the plastic on the pegs and the connector, not gluing the metal pegs themselves. Now the pegs won't fall out when disconnecting, or from vibration.

[backin15]

Does anybody know if the difference between this:
Amazon.com: 16.4 Feet 3528 RGB SMD LED Flexible Strip with Waterproof Sleeve,12 Volt LED Ribbon 5 Meter 24Key IR Remote: Electronics
and this:
Amazon.com: Ledwholesalers IP67 Waterproof 16.4 Ft RGB Color Changing Kit with LED Flexible Strip, 44 Button Controller + Remote and 12 Volt Power Supply, 2038kit: Home Improvement
is just the controller? Not looking to put on a Vegas lightshow, just want to be able to change the colors and dim. If the cheaper set will do that I am inclined to save the $12.00.

[papap]

The second one also has the power supply besides the controller with more functions.

[OldCoot]

The remote is different

[CRZ]

Also the 1st link uses 3528 type LEDs, and the 2nd link uses 5050 type LEDs. The link will tell you the difference in the LEDs
http://www.prlog.org/10749185-the-di...ip-lights.html

[Herk7769]

I have to bump this to the top.

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

Has the 5050 LEDs and is waterproof. Not sure how the other sets will hold up in the rain.

[backin15]

Thanks for pointing out the differences. I'm going to have to get a set of these.

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by CRZ

No, I put the pegs in and ran some fast acting jell glue. I glued the space between the plastic on the pegs and the connector, not gluing the metal pegs themselves. Now the pegs won't fall out when disconnecting, or from vibration.

Thanks, I thought about Crazy Glue but worried the glue would isolate the pins.

[chuckg58]

I like the led lights for awning....gonna havta give it a try....camping in style...

[Scriggs1]

We ordered ours and should be up and glowing by the end of next week. Thanks for the great idea, wagon

[David WAWA]

I was reading the reviews on these lights on Amazon.com and everyone states hoe bright they are. Do any of you guys that have them feel the same.I like the idea of these and the ease of instal but dont want to lite up the whole campground.Please give me some feed back.

[papap]

Do not think you will be lighting up whole campground with LEDs. But they are nice.

[David WAWA]

The only reason I say that is because we started out with the 6 light string with the 6'' amber globes with the recommended 40 watt bulbs and we felt is day time at night,we then dropped down to cfl bulb 20watt and they are still a tad bright but work

[papap]

I made a short cord with a dimmer switch to use with my globe lights. Works great. The LEDs come with the dimmer built in the controller.

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by David WAWA

I was reading the reviews on these lights on Amazon.com and everyone states hoe bright they are. Do any of you guys that have them feel the same.I like the idea of these and the ease of instal but dont want to lite up the whole campground.Please give me some feed back.

They have a dimmer built into the remote.

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by VAlover

Love these lights; what a great idea. How long did it take to get them? We are moving towards the end of this month (Richmond to Chesapeake) and want to be sure not to miss them.

Took almost exactly the 10 days they said it would and it came by mail so forwarding would not be a problem.

[TURBS]

While they may be bright they have a dimming feature.
And when installed in the awning groove that also takes down the brightness.
I nice glowing hue when on low.
Bright is enough to read a book