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Old 01-16-2017, 12:09 AM   #1
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Underbelly lights

Anyone add any accent lighting underneath your TT? I have a Cherokee 274dbh. I see that there is a kit that is out there but it runs close to $300. Not sure if there is a cheaper and better way to go. Boogey lights is the brand I have seen advertised. Here's a picture. What have you done and what have you used? Please share any pictures too if you would. Thanks. 
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Old 01-16-2017, 12:32 AM   #2
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I haven't ever had a Cherokee, but on our last 5er, we ran rope lights that i bought at Lowe's around the bottom of the neck of the trailer and then around the frame on the door side of the camper. Used the screws that were already holding stuff up on the bottom of the frame, so we didn't have to drill new holes.
I mounted them with the cable hangers that are like the ones that hold the propane pipes on the bottom of campers, but of course smaller diameter.
I dont have pics but it worked good for us and was cheap. Helped when setting up in the dark and hooking everything up too!
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Old 01-16-2017, 12:33 AM   #3
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I'll find the pix tomorrow. Waterproof LED lights from Amazon. Less than $10 for a 16 foot roll. They're real easy to solder together so so four-five rolls will cover about any trailer. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Rather than go through the hassles of tying into the TT electrical system I used two 9 volt batteries in parallel. Works great even though the LED are 12 volt. Also ran a vertical strip on two sides of the awning poles, also powered by nine volt rechargeable batteries. Batteries are good for 4-5 nights before needing a charge.
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Old 01-16-2017, 12:39 AM   #4
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Awesome. Thanks for the info. Going to look into all of this.

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Old 01-16-2017, 12:50 AM   #5
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Be considerate and turn them off when you go to bed - Thanks.
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Old 01-16-2017, 01:08 AM   #6
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Really? I see many others who have them and keep them on all night. Along with the led awning lights too, on all night. Nobody has ever mentioned turning them off. Even seen campground attendants leave their lights on as well.

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Old 01-16-2017, 01:18 AM   #7
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Originally Posted by rockfordroo View Post
Be considerate and turn them off when you go to bed - Thanks.
Why? If you are in your trailer and sleeping, what's the problem?

Not nearly as annoying as those idiots that leave their scare/porch lights on allllllll night.
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Old 01-16-2017, 01:34 AM   #8
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I'm planning to put a 5m run on the door side of my 2306.

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The double side tape probably won't last a year, after the rain, heat, and w.h.y., so I will be running a bead of silicone glue and placing the strip on it. That will secure it for a loooong time.

As for the power connection, I'm not sure how I will proceed ATM. The LED strip and the controller will need 12v.
1- I can plug in the 120v to the outlet on the side of the TT or
2- tap into some 12v in the front end pass thru or
3- run a line off the battery directly.

I'm waiting for a few months for winter to be done. I will post pics.
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Old 01-16-2017, 01:39 AM   #9
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I like that set too. That was also one of my questions as to how I should power them up. The Boogey lights run directly off of the battery, connects directly to it. But I was thinking I may add a 2nd battery to my TT anyhow and if so, I'd most likely hook them up to it. Not sure but just a thought. Thanks for sharing.

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Old 01-16-2017, 08:08 AM   #10
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I ran the multi colored strips under my camper. Looks awesome! This way you can change them for whatever mood your in!! There are so many different color combinations you can do as well. Check it out on Amazon:

SUPERNIGHT 5-Meter Waterproof Flexible Color Changing RGB SMD5050 300 LEDs Light Strip Kit with 44 Key Remote and 12V 5A Power Supply

Really easy to wire in too. You'll need to buy some of the rubber fasteners to attach them and simply plug them into a 110 outlet on the camper. I also ran the same strips on my awning as well. Couldn't be happier with them. I hate seeing cords and exposed wires and this was very easy to hide because it's not bulky like rope lighting.
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Old 01-16-2017, 08:45 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nurek View Post
Why? If you are in your trailer and sleeping, what's the problem?

Not nearly as annoying as those idiots that leave their scare/porch lights on allllllll night.
Or how about those bucket lights hanging from the trees?
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Old 01-16-2017, 09:34 AM   #12
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Originally Posted by Nurek View Post
I'm planning to put a 5m run on the door side of my 2306.

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The double side tape probably won't last a year, after the rain, heat, and w.h.y., so I will be running a bead of silicone glue and placing the strip on it. That will secure it for a loooong time.

As for the power connection, I'm not sure how I will proceed ATM. The LED strip and the controller will need 12v.
1- I can plug in the 120v to the outlet on the side of the TT or
2- tap into some 12v in the front end pass thru or
3- run a line off the battery directly.

I'm waiting for a few months for winter to be done. I will post pics.
You are correct about the tape attached to the LED strip won't last but you missed the duration. Actually, it won't last more than a few days unless it's attached to a "powder-coated" surface. Been there...done that.

The best way to attach is to first remove the double sided tape on the LED strip. It comes off pretty easy. The back of the strip is a rubbery type material so silicone glue doesn't hold well (again, been there...done that). I used 3M Scotch heavy duty outdoor double sided tape. It works great. It's almost impossible to get off once it has set up for a day or so. It comes in various sizes but all of them are way too wide. I first attached the tape to the strip and then used a fresh razor blade to trim it to size. A metal straight edge works well. You'll have to use a fresh blade after cutting 10 feet or so. Here's the tape:

https://www.amazon.com/Scotch-Perman...d+tape+outdoor

You can get it in a smaller roll but the long roll is five times the length at just over double the price.

As far as power goes, the lights you listed may or may not work on 9 volts. I used 9v rechargeable batteries to power the lights because I was too lazy to run all the wiring needed to tap into the TT system. The LED strips in single color are just about as bright with nine volts as they are with 12. The batteries will last 4-5 or so nights.


It's also available at Home Depot but more expensive.
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Old 01-16-2017, 09:41 AM   #13
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Be considerate and turn them off when you go to bed - Thanks.
Here we go... I'd rather discuss tires or weights.

But, you do have a good point. Many of the underbelly lights are pretty bright. Although they are definitely not bright enough to bother anyone I turn mine off at night. But, I do leave the awning pole lights on for safety. People shouldn't be short cutting through my campsite, but they do. Without lights on the poles they are impossible to see. I'd rather leave the lights on so folks don't run into them and cause damage or get hurt. I know they are there but have still walked into them in the dark.
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Old 01-16-2017, 10:39 AM   #14
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Originally Posted by rockfordroo View Post
Be considerate and turn them off when you go to bed - Thanks.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nurek View Post
Why? If you are in your trailer and sleeping, what's the problem?

Not nearly as annoying as those idiots that leave their scare/porch lights on allllllll night.
I'd say the same to you:

If you are in your trailer and sleeping, why do you need these lights on? Waste of electricity.
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Old 01-17-2017, 12:13 AM   #15
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Originally Posted by rockfordroo View Post
I'd say the same to you:

If you are in your trailer and sleeping, why do you need these lights on? Waste of electricity.
I don't have a problem with it. You know they can be dimmed right? Do you even know the power consumption of LED's? Why are you so concerned about how people spend their money? I'm sure there is something in your TT/home that "wastes" electricity.
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Old 01-17-2017, 12:26 AM   #16
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I don't have a problem with it. You know they can be dimmed right? Do you even know the power consumption of LED's? Why are you so concerned about how people spend their money? I'm sure there is something in your TT/home that "wastes" electricity.
OK - You asked:

Of course I know the power consumption of LED's (just because I think these lights are stupid doesn't mean I'm stupid). And just because it's low doesn't mean we should waste it. I'm sure I do probably waste electricity somewhere, but I don't go out of my way to do so.

In my opinion, I'm camping, not running some kind of red light (or blue light, or white light) district such that I need these lights on all night.

That's my opinion - I wasn't particularly "so concerned" with this issue after simply stating my opinion (post #5), but I was simply responding to the question I was asked after I expressed my opinion (post #7) (I guess you didn't read ALL the posts?), just like I'm responding to your question now.

I believe I'm entitled to my own opinion. I'm sorry it doesn't match yours, but that's why we're all different. This forum is full of people's opinions. That's why it's a forum.
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Old 01-17-2017, 04:25 PM   #17
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For me, I take no offense to any of this, keep em on/turn em off, whatever. I just appreciate all of the help and ideas that have been shared so far. Look forward to seeing/reading more of them.

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