I am getting ready to change my storage bay lights over to LED from the original bulbs. I have purchased aluminum channel with translucent covers and end caps. Do I need to put in waterproof light strips or would the normal light strips like I put in the old ceiling fixtures work as well? Also, should I do anything to the aluminum prior to putting the strips on? (clean with chemical, rough the surface, etc.)
thanks in advance,
Larry
Larry,
I used the non-weatherproof strips in my bay lights. I figure it's highly unlikely they would get wet. I did nothing to the aluminum before sticking on the strips. Following Roger's advice, I did not trust the adhesive on the back of the strips. I used the double sided foam tape - stuck it to the aluminum channel, then stuck the LED strip to the foam tape. Have not had any of them come loose yet, and the storage bays on our coach see a lot of heat in the West TX summer months.
Oh, on the end of each LED strip, I put a little blob of adhesive for extra security. I used Goop. Nitehawk would use Shoe Goo.
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Larry, try this tape to stick the LED strips into the aluminium channel. Works great.
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You can use the same tape (maybe 4 3" pieces on a 1 meter channel) to stick it to the fiberglass ceiling of the bay. Probably wouldn't hurt to clean off the fiberglass. Or just use the clips that come with the channels. They make it easier to get the channel out if you have to. Put a blob of silicone at the end where the wires are attached for strain relief. I didn't use the end caps.
Chuck and Roger, thanks for the input. I already bought the double sided tape from your previous suggestions on changing out the interior light fixtures. Still got half a roll left over. That stuff works great. I didn't think that I would need waterproof LED'S since the lights are going to be inside the bays not on the bay doors. Just needed reassurance from the pros. I plan on using the end caps provided at this point just to give it a more finished look. I didn't think of making a strain relief for the wires at the end. Thanks again for the insight.
Larry
The only place I used waterproof LED strips is in the engine bay.
Roger, I'm thinking of the engine bay as well as the generator bay since it is up front.
Larry
This is what my big bay with 6,000°K LEDs looks like at night to my camera. I have been using the higher temp LEDs in the basement spaces for brighter light. Inside the 3,000°K LEDs look better to us.
I ran one string (5M) of the waterproof LEDs around the upper edge of the engine bay box and hooked it up to the flourescent light fixture on the driver's side rear. No channels, I just used wire cable staples. One string goes all the way around.
4 lights fabricated ready for install. It's getting closer ^.^d
Larry