My solution to awning lights

[TURBS]

Good info Lou! Thanks.

[dezeldad]

My wife called me on the way home from work yesterday ... a mysterious package from China arrived in our mailbox & it was addressed to her name. She couldn't remember ordering anything. When I got home we opened the package and found a 16' LED light strip. "Too much trouble to send them back" I said, "guess we could use them on the camper"

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by dezeldad

My wife called me on the way home from work yesterday ... a mysterious package from China arrived in our mailbox & it was addressed to her name. She couldn't remember ordering anything. When I got home we opened the package and found a 16' LED light strip. "Too much trouble to send them back" I said, "guess we could use them on the camper"

You devil you!

[wagon52]

You all have taken this to a whole new level! LOL

[campfirefun]

Ok I may be asking a question that has been answered but- I am on a smart phone reading this thread and can't find it. I ordered a strip of 5m lights. Can I order another strip and tie them together as my awningis 20 feet wide. My thought at first was to center them in the awning but as I look at the pics 10 m would do the whole awning and down the brace arms. Should I just order another set and power supply or order jus the lights . I see they sell them like that. Didn't know how hard it would be to splice two together . I have not received mine yet so not sure what I'm dealing with.

[papap]

You can run 2 strings on one controller

[campfirefun]

Controller or power supply? Would I just splice them together? Thanks

[Coops1]

You have to solder the 2 pieces together, on either side of cut marks there are 2 metal points that you can solder stranded wire to. A lot of people use these lights as under cabinet lighting in their kitchens and you use a little wire to go around corners.

[Rsgtivr6]

Originally Posted by campfirefun

Controller or power supply? Would I just splice them together? Thanks

Solderless strip wired connectors for corners and such:
Amazon.com: LED Strip Light Connector 4 Conductor 10 to 12 mm Strip to Strip Jumper: Home Improvement

Butt end solderless connectors:
Amazon.com: HitLights Pro PCB Connector Box For 5050 SMD RGB Color Changing LED strip, Strip to Strip, 10 pcs: Patio, Lawn & Garden

[Herk7769]

You can also use the end plugs to connect the two strips.

[Coops1]

So these strips you guys are using are not water proof? The strip I got for my storage had soldered leads on it and was covered in some kind of rubber.

[campfirefun]

The ones I just ordered say waterproof. We will see when they get here

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by Coops1

So these strips you guys are using are not water proof? The strip I got for my storage had soldered leads on it and was covered in some kind of rubber.

Rubber.

[Ft W crew]

Well the LED's came in this week and installed them yesterday. They are nice, I used 3m doubled side type you can get at auto-zone and put them on the awning roller. Can't wait till tomorrow when we leave for camping.

I need to figure out a way to extend the 4 wire lead from the lights to control box.

Are people using 18/4 or telephone wire. Also what type of quick connect would be the best (semi water proof) but able to disconnect if awning is rolled up by the wife without disconnecting wire.

In the meantime I took a PVC 4x4x4 Junction box, cut one of the corners of the lid. I placed the 120v adapter, controller box, and IR senors in the box and ran the cords out of the corner. I hang the box upside down using a 2.5 inch PVC pipe strap connected with wing nuts which I hang over the end of the awning.

This way if my wife rolls the awning up forgetting about the lights, the box will not roll up, the plug will disconnect and awning will close. I actually tried it and it works, however I have a 4x4x4 box hanging off my awning. The corner that is cut is facing down, so even though not "waterproof" it should be at the least rain proof.

Curious to see what people are using for extending the 4 wire lead. Thanks

[tomblakeney]

Ordered mine last week... cant wait to see them in action

[Hilgy]

Just finished my install and they look even cooler in person than in the pictures I've seen here.

I cut the cheap four pin connector off and used a four pin deutsch(sp) weather proof connector.

Thanks to everyone for the ideas and tips on this thread. Made the install easy.

[Scriggs1]

The new lights saw a road trip last week. We were the envy of the campground. Thanks again for the great solution to awning lights.

[Weekendcamper]

I purchased from the same seller as the OP, on my workbench I plugged in the AC adapter, watched the power light blink a couple times then go out, plugged the IR controller into the LED roll of lights and nothing happened. Anyone have a similar issue?

[Rsgtivr6]

Originally Posted by Weekendcamper

I purchased from the same seller as the OP, on my workbench I plugged in the AC adapter, watched the power light blink a couple times then go out, plugged the IR controller into the LED roll of lights and nothing happened. Anyone have a similar issue?

Yeah, I finaly got mine (they sent it to the wrong address) last week and when I tested them on the counter, they remote doesn't work. The lights just flash RGB. I complained to the eBay seller, but they have yet to respond. I just ordered a new controller (same one just from Amazon) for $5.99. Not a big deal, but I hope it will fix the problem.

[scotturner]

how do you plug them in I looked at the ebay link and looked like they cam with a 220 volt plug. Did I miss something?