Mounting LED strip

[jimacamper]

Mounting an LED strip on the rain channel underneath the awning (on a Georgetown). I've got the option to have the LEDs project outward from the coach or directly down on the bottom of that channel. What have people done. I don't know if shooting downward from the channel will illuminate the area well enough or if I should have an outward. I don't have the awning out all the time so don't want to be dependent on reflecting the light.

[Adony]

I have had them both ways and down is the best on my TT. The more protection, the better..

[jimacamper]

That's what I've been thinking but a day before I plan to do the install trying to think through any stupid moves :-) Thanks! Anyone else?

[Adony]

The first strip (s) I installed I used the extra sticky 3-m trim tape as I didn't trust the double sided tape that came on the strips. After several months of use, many of the led's failed so I had to replace everything. Getting the old one off and removing the trim tape turned out to be an expensive and time intensive chore. I mounted the new strip using industrial velcro.. so far so good and they haven't failed in over a year, but if they do...velcro will make the removal a snap...

[jimacamper]

Where does one get industrial velcro?

[Kaadk]

I did pointing down on my TT. Figured that way for two reasons:

1) Thought by projecting them down, they'll work better when the awning's rolled up.
2) Thought it'd be less obtrusive to the look of the trailer if they're mounted on the rain gutter vs the side of the trailer.

Course, you can always have someone help you hold them up both ways to figure out what works best for you.

[jimacamper]

Got hem up last night. Used 3M auto mounting tape. That stuff those strips come on is horribly cheap. Hopefully they last a long time and But it wasn't too bad anyway.

[jimacamper]

There is one above and one below. I had only intended the one but the RGB strip doesn't do a nice white so I put it below and got a RGBW for above. Powered by the porch light.

[bob caldwell]

When (if) tape fails, they make an aluminum channel with choice of clear or frosted cover that makes replacement a whole lot easier.

[Simplewon]

Mine came with them, every foot or so forest river put a thin bead of silicone over them in case the 3m tape fails. I added a white next to the factory blue and followed suit with the clear silicone. The bead of silicone is an 8th inch wide and about an inch tall crossing the light strip.

[bob caldwell]

Originally Posted by Simplewon

Mine came with them, every foot or so forest river put a thin bead of silicone over them in case the 3m tape fails. I added a white next to the factory blue and followed suit with the clear silicone. The bead of silicone is an 8th inch wide and about an inch tall crossing the light strip.

I also have'em in the awning roller...there, it was necessary to use silicone every 8/10 inches to retain.

[dutch]

Jim,

The LED looks great. One question I have where do you get the electric for that out there? I was thinking of doing that too but can not figure out how I can get elect to them lights.