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LED light under awning

November 16, 2016, 08:26:26 am

Going to install this today.  Power source going to be the yellow outside light and then a small switch to turn on the led strip.  Those of u who have done this give me your advice.  I assume the lens is how u get into the light.

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Re: LED light under awning

Reply #1 – November 16, 2016, 08:54:24 am

Dan, are your LED lights going to be on the coach ot he outside edge of the awning?  Either way it should look nice.

The plastic lens on light over the door will flex and come off.  Push or pry up from the bottom as I recall.

You might want to add a second switch to turn off the porch light if all you want on is the under awning lights.  If it was mine I would add a dimmer.  We have seen many of these. Warm white is a much more comfortable look. Cool white (6000° K) look pretty harsh in the evening.

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Re: LED light under awning

Reply #2 – November 16, 2016, 10:16:51 am

I did the same thing except I kept the porch light separate and my led strip light works off a remote that also allows me to change color

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Re: LED light under awning

Reply #3 – November 16, 2016, 10:22:37 am

Any pictures of LED's on awning tube.

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Re: LED light under awning

Reply #4 – November 16, 2016, 10:47:50 am

What I have is plastic strips which attach by 3m tape.  The LED strip goes into the small grooves on the plastic strip. I plan to silicone (clear) couple areas so the whole thing is secure while going down the road.  I have no remote as the lights are white.  Coming on when the yellow light is on is fine; however, I will put a small switch to cut off if only yellow light is wanted. I will install under awning not on awning.

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Re: LED light under awning

Reply #5 – November 16, 2016, 03:34:34 pm

Dumb question.  Where on the yellow outside light do u get power??  Soldered to both prongs of one bulb but no power.

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Re: LED light under awning

Reply #6 – November 16, 2016, 04:51:41 pm

Dan. Just a comment and most probably you already have done it but did you switch the power on inside the doorway? Is there power on one side of the little press button switch under the frame of light with the inside switch on (or touch the handle)?
JohnH

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Re: LED light under awning

Reply #7 – November 16, 2016, 05:07:58 pm

Should be switched power coming to the fixture.  I am not sure that the flourescent bulbs are 12 volts,  LEDs are case sensitive ( + / -) need to be correct.

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Re: LED light under awning

Reply #8 – November 16, 2016, 06:07:17 pm

When I did mine I removed the light fixture and found the feed to the porch light and then taped on to the wires and in my case it is 12volts

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Re: LED light under awning

Reply #9 – November 16, 2016, 08:39:00 pm

I put a switch on the bulkhead right next to the awning switch. When I'm not on this phone, I'll see if I cant post a pic again. I have one on this forum somewhere but can't begine to remember which thread it's in....

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Re: LED light under awning

Reply #10 – November 17, 2016, 08:21:15 am

I installed switch and dimmer where inverter - power gauges are.  Drilled small hole and ran small stranded pair ( probably 18 or 20 gauge wire) inside awning fabric by piercing small hole in awning fabric.  Used led strip with adhesive back on awning flap.  No problems and all still working for three years.

Larry
1998 U 270

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Re: LED light under awning

Reply #11 – November 17, 2016, 08:38:19 am

FWIW,
I finished my outdoor lights.  I put a full roll of the waterproof 50/50 leds under my main (biggest) awning on side of coach.  I put it such that the 2 wires attached for power were right at the porch light (just above which left about an inch of wire exposed).  I took off the porch light and drilled 2 holes in nearest side.  I then ran the led power wires in one of the holes and put a push on/push off switch in the other drilled hole.  I then wired the leds to the switch and then to the porch light.  So.., the porch light can be used independently from the led strip lights.  If one wants more light, just push the new on off button on the side of the porch light and voila' the led strip lights are illuminated, push it again and the strip lights go off and porch light still works fine.  It really lights up the area very well.  No probably not enough to read a book with small print but I did change out my sewer dump hose O-ring using that as a light and could see it quite well.  I did order a dimmer but did not use it as I put it all together before the dimmer arrived.  Frankly with one strip not sure the dimmer is needed.  If one wanted to put in 2 strips (which would really brighten things up, then I probably would recommend the dimmer). 

I have added three photos that should be helpful.  One doesn't show much as it is dark.  That is what it is like without the porch light and without the leds.  The second photo shows the exact same area with the porch light and leds on (nice difference).  The third is a close up of the wires going in the side of the porch light.  Note the small button at the top.  This is the on/off button for the leds that extend toward the back just under the larger awning. 

I cleaned the fiberglass with alcohol, applied the strip to the fiberglass, then applied a small amout of silicone above and below the strip along its entire length to help hold the strip lights in place.  I also siliconed the porch light where the wires entered the new side hole.  I did solder my  electrical connections.  So far so good.  The only real drawback is I have to stand on the entry/coach step to turn on/off the leds.  I can not reach the porch light (newly added additional) switch by standing on the ground by the FT.  This is not a big deal for me (might be for someone shorter, I am almost 6 feet tall).  Getting additional light now is sooo easy.

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FWIW,
It has been almost a year and nary a hitch at this point.  Love the LED strip below the awning and the light it puts out.  The strip, switch, silicone, cost less than 20 dollars.  I could have gotten as other have mentioned one that changes colors and considered.  I had these and rather than buying more just used them.  I also changed out the fluorescent bulbs in the porch light to LED strips.  Love those LED's.  Best of Travels.  I tried to repost the photos, but would advise to do a search on LED porch light and should find the photos. 

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