My solution to awning lights

[Herk7769]

I am also having issues with LED segments glowing dimly when the strip gets wet. This explains it.

Most likely I will put new strips up and seal it with Thompson's Water Seal or varnish. I will let you know what I decide and how that turns out when the Spring gets here and I can work on the camper.

[ourflat]

Ordered aluminum GIP tracks with frosted lens covers along with end caps for my new light project. The rails can either be taped or riveted to my MH. The tracks come in 6 FT sections so everything will be a good fit when combined. My thoughts are to protect the lights from the weather as much as possible even though they are waterproof. They will also be easier to replace if needed some time down the road.

Frank

[OldCoot]

No problems with mine so far, I powered mine from the worthless step light and put a Dusk to Dawn controller on them and a set of strip lights in the step cutout and just leave them on all the time. They come on when it gets dark and off when it gets light. Same thing on the flag light on the pin box. Do use an rf controller on the strip lights instead of the ir.

[ourflat]

Ordered RF controller also...

Frank

[Davidceder]

1) What is a GIP track, can you give me a link?

2) I have been working with a vendor in the US who will give me the light strip, 16 extra feet of RGB, 8 feet of DC pigtail and an RF controller and remote. That said he wants $94.00. Asked why he was so much said his stuff was on PAR with what Camping World sells and not that junk from China. One year warranty, support and all the extra cable. I read on a Amazon review about some lights from China that actually burned holes into a rig from behind the light strip. If that happened to me, I would loose it. That stated Still thinking about an alternative that might be less expensive. I cannot find the RF controller in a set from any other vendor. What did you get?

Thanks Frank.

[ourflat]

David, below is the link for the GIP tracking. I shared the same concerns as you. The aluminum tracking will also act as a heat sink if the SMD LED lights start to get warm:

GIP Channel Guides | 1000Bulbs.com

RF controller:
20 Key RF Wireless Remote LED Controller 12 24V for 5050 3528 RGB LED Strip Ligh | eBay

Lights:
5M 5050 SMD RGB LED Strip 300 LEDs Waterproof DC12V 44Key IR Remote Controller | eBay

The GIP tracking is the most expensive part of the project but I believe it is worth the added cost to protect my new MH.

Frank

[Davidceder]

Frank;

Thanks for the info. Did you just pick up some cheapo lights and wiring?

[ourflat]

Yes on the lights; no on the wiring. The SMD LED lights are Type 5050 waterproof which is a good tape light. product I don't believe the quality of these lights are much different then others sold on the Internet. They are made on a machine by a machine. I was in China last year and watched a company produce similar SMD products; very impressed with their workmanship with SMD technology.

I will do my own wiring to ensure the quality is there and will waterproof along the way. I have several rows of high quality landscape DC wire from Home Depot that is great for this type of low voltage application. I purchased both IR and RF controllers and will use the one that I like the most.

Frank

[Davidceder]

Thanks Frank

[danimal86]

Originally Posted by Davidceder

his stuff was on PAR with what Camping World

Has anyone done a comparison of the two?

I'm going to do a temporary mount (Velcro tabs) for the trailer, but i'm thinking about buying another one for my aluminum patio cover at the house.

[LKicklight]

If this LED light system is to be more of a permanent installation, then using the tracks is a perfect idea. I have used them on my LED's under the Aluminum Awning on our place up at Talking Rock. Think I will do the same thing on the Crusader when it warms up....Good product to use in your home also, under step tread lights, above kitchen cabinets etc;

Originally Posted by ourflat

Ordered aluminum GIP tracks with frosted lens covers along with end caps for my new light project. The rails can either be taped or riveted to my MH. The tracks come in 6 FT sections so everything will be a good fit when combined. My thoughts are to protect the lights from the weather as much as possible even though they are waterproof. They will also be easier to replace if needed some time down the road.

Frank

[Davidceder]

Maybe Frank or someone else can answer this.

I know the 5050 LEDs run hotter than the 3528. I read a review on Amazon about someone actually melting into the side of their rig. I guess dimming the light would solve this problem. Anyone have experience with this?

Can the 3528 LED strip put out multiple colors like the 5050?

Thanks guys

[ourflat]

David, there's a Youtube video that explains the difference between the two at this link:

LED Strip differences - Epoxy vs Silicon, 5050 SMD vs 3528 SMD - YouTube

Hope this helps,

Frank

[B47]

Originally Posted by ourflat

David, there's a Youtube video that explains the difference between the two at this link:

Hope this helps,

Frank

Good video - but I have to say if I got a phone call from that guy I would hang up - Fast.

[Davidceder]

Thanks Frank;

Have you had any issues, heat or otherwise with your 5050 strip?

[ourflat]

David, my friends have not but I will install mine in the aluminum GIP tracking. The tracking will act as a heat sink if they were to get hot. I also will have an inline thermal fuse that will blow if the lights begin to draw too much current.

Frank

[ourflat]

B47, I spent a couple of weeks in China last March learning Mandarin. This guy I can understand!

Frank

[ironj]

i now have 4 sets of these on my trailer......all FINALLY on 12v so i can use em without shore/genny

1 set on awning
1 set around outside kitchen door
1 set over the top of the main slide out on the interior behind the wood trim
1 set over the top of the bunk slide out on the interior behind the wood trim

having them on 12v is the best thing ever...can be a little time consuming to wire up but by far one my fav mods EVERYONE asks if the interior ones came from the factory like that....no, but they SHOULD have! lol

[LKicklight]

Would be interested in seeing how you ran those behind the slides???

Originally Posted by ironj

i now have 4 sets of these on my trailer......all FINALLY on 12v so i can use em without shore/genny

1 set on awning
1 set around outside kitchen door
1 set over the top of the main slide out on the interior behind the wood trim
1 set over the top of the bunk slide out on the interior behind the wood trim

having them on 12v is the best thing ever...can be a little time consuming to wire up but by far one my fav mods EVERYONE asks if the interior ones came from the factory like that....no, but they SHOULD have! lol

[ironj]

Just behind the top backside edge of slide inside?...ill see if I have any pics. ...

sent from fat fingers with no regard to grammer via a space dish thingy