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Topic: Exterior LED light under awning questions?? (Read 1310 times) previous topic - next topic

Exterior LED light under awning questions??

 
    I would like to install exterior LED lights in a corner channel mounted at an angle below the Girard awning box and
    up against the exterior of the coach.  Some questions I have :
                      Can I  get  power to the LED  strip from porch light?
                      What 3m tape to use to mount the channel track to the bottom of the awning box?
                      Any suggestions to Exterior Lighting?   
                      We tailgate frequently and would like some additional light beside the porch lights.

                      Thanks--Jim

                  Corner Channel:
                http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?cat=1,43349&p=71702

              LED connectors:
              Amazon.com: ZITRADES &reg 2013 Waterproof Version 10pcs 2Pin LED 5050 Single...

            LED Lights:
            SUPERNIGHT (TM) 16.4ft 5M SMD 5050 Cool White Waterproof Led Flexible Flash...

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Re: Exterior LED light under awning questions??

Reply #1 –
First off yes you can hook them up to power from outside light. I saw the other day a T Trailer that had a strip of these waterproof ones just placed about 12" below the awning where it is attached to roof. They had cut them to cover only the awning length and actually looked fine and not very noticable, but would give quite a good long light when on.
All of the items you show are good but I feel the angle is not needed. If you use it then 3M double sided tape for car door trim would be perfect to hold it.
I have done/made lots of lights for coach with LED and had no problems. I also bought and installed another  outside light fixture but removed the bulbs and put 4 short strips of the LEDs inside as my extra outside awning light that is wired to the touch controlled over door light.
JohnH

Re: Exterior LED light under awning questions??

Reply #2 –
Hmmm... that sounds like a pretty good idea to me.

I'd just buy 3m VHB tape from Amazon (about $25 or so for a roll but you can get squares I think).

You should be able to get enough power from the porch light installation (might as well change that to LED while you're at it). The glue on these LED strip lights is notoriously weak so you'll want to take extra care to prep the fiberglass well where you're doing the installation. When I installed my solar panels I scrubbed the fiberglass down and then wiped it with acetone. That was two years (and 4,000 miles) ago and they're still up there.

The white LEDs are pretty bright and I see that these are extra bright. I installed them where I normally read (over the recliner) and they're great for that but they really are plenty bright. Last weekend we were watching a movie on the LED TV and I turned them on to look for something and it was "whoa!". LOL

I have a roll of LEDs that are a little warmer and I'll be using those for the rest of the florescent replacements. These are cheap enough that you can buy several different color temperatures and test them out first.

Keep us posted on this. I like the idea a bunch although we usually camp where the bugs come out at night and these things would be pretty certain to attract them. Still....

Craig

Re: Exterior LED light under awning questions??

Reply #3 –
Hi Jim, this should look pretty neat when you are done.

Be sure to use the waterproof strip. On an outside application like this I would solder the connections and ose some silicone to seal it up.  The ZITrades crimp on connectors have worked pretty well for me inside but the wires are short and you will still have another set of outside connections.  And I would be concerned about how well the connection would hold up outside in the wind.  I found wire at Amazon that is used for boats that has two wires inside a white sheath, sort of like 12v Romex.  Two 18 ga wires in the sheath ar about 1/4" across by about 1/8" thick.  18 ga is fine for what I am doing inside where runs are short. 16 ga would be better if you are powering almost a whole roll.

I  have used both rhe cool white and the warm white colors.  Everything inside is warm white.  I am using the cool white in the bays. I would use the warm white, it will have a more comfortable color to it.  Of course that is my opinion.  At $15 per roll they are cheap enought to get one of each and try the different colors out at night to see which one you like.

I would consider a dimmer as well.  After you do a night time test for color you will get an idea of how much light you will get. All on might be great in some circumstances but in others just a glow might be better.

The peel off stick on adhesive that thee come ith is pretty poor. I have been removing it and clean it all off with goof-off.  The 3M VHB will hold anything.  I really like the aluminum channels from Lee Valley with the white plastic covers.  But I am not sure the covers would stay on out side in the wind.  The are three ft sections.  It you use them but then on with the 3M tape instead of the clips and then the LED strip taped to them. I the covers are used I would seal up the leading edge opening and run a bead of silicone across each joint or maybe a piece or 2" wide tape that is used to tape plastic together when used as an air infiltration barrier in new house construction or for taping Tyvek house wrap joints.  It comes in clear with some blue writing on it or red or blue.  It is very sticky and tough.

That's my 2ยข worth.  Do the color test to be sure of the look.  A dimmer will give you lots of ambience choices.

Roger

Re: Exterior LED light under awning questions??

Reply #4 –
Seeing as how we have the old Zip Dee awning where the fabric wraps totally around the awning tube and I didn't want to mount the LED rope light on the coach wall I did my usual dumbass thing. I wanted the light down on the awning tube so I used my usual old standby--Shoe Goo to help hold the string in place. Two years now, lights up the area under the coach, and if bugs come they go to the light and not the coach. Granted I can only use the lights when the awning is out but it works for us. The awning still rolls up and I just use a 12V converter that plugs into the 120V outlet by the rear awning arm when the awning is deployed.

Re: Exterior LED light under awning questions??

Reply #5 –
This is probably my favorite "small" upgrade that Jim has done to the coach.  He mounted them on the under edge of the awning.  They turn "darkness into day".  I especially like them when I put Max (dog) out for his last potty break at night or when we are in a strange place at night or when we have company (I guess I like them all the time!).  Jim installed them in January and we have had no issue with them.  I like having them on the under edge of the awning because I can adjust the awning's "outness" to adjust where the lights shine brightest.  I only have a picture of him installing them and then a picture of the lights on our Girard awning that is on our RV lot, but the installation and result was the same for the coach.  They get their power from the porch light.  The power is in a tiny plastic conduit running along the underneath side of one of the awning arms.
 

Re: Exterior LED light under awning questions??

Reply #7 –

  Thank you all for the help and suggestions.
  I like the idea of the lights on the roller end, adjustable--nice to put the light where you need it.

    This is a great forum with so many knowledgeable members who are so willing to help others.
                  Thanks again--Jim