Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: OEM Mood Rope Light Replacement (Read 1301 times) previous topic - next topic

OEM Mood Rope Light Replacement

If there's someone out there that wants to do an original 12V rope light replacement in the tray ceilings.................holler at me.

Re: OEM Mood Rope Light Replacement

Reply #1 –
P... are you looking for someone to do it for you?  Looks like a single 5M LED strip for each with a nice dimmer.  Mine are about ready to get replaced too.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: OEM Mood Rope Light Replacement

Reply #2 –
Roger, I sent a PM to Travelin' Man asking if he knew of a better source then FT for the OEM rope lights. I have replaced two purchased from FT and I am hoping there is a less expensive source.
Cheers, Ken
2000, U320 36' with Cummins 450, Toad - 2016 Ford CMax Energi
Previous MHs; 1970 Winnebago, 1973 FMC 2900R, much later a heavily modified 1975 FMC 2900R.

Re: OEM Mood Rope Light Replacement

Reply #3 –
Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 –
P... are you looking for someone to do it for you?  Looks like a single 5M LED strip for each with a nice dimmer.  Mine are about ready to get replaced too.

No, I figured out how to replace the originals without spending a fortune at FT and just wanted to share the info.  I know almost everyone wants LEDs now so I didn't want to waste bandwidth with detailed instructions.

Re: OEM Mood Rope Light Replacement

Reply #4 –
It doesn't waste bandwidth when you provide details for a project that others now or in the future may want to do. Post away!

see ya
ken
The selected media item is not currently available.ken & dori hathaway & Big Agnes
🍺1992 U300 GrandVilla WTBI #4150 FOT FBP 2011
✨6V-92TA DDEC Parlor Coach 350HP Series 92
🏁2011 Nissan XTerra Pro-4X

Re: OEM Mood Rope Light Replacement

Reply #5 –
It sounds like the rope lights are expensive.  A high quality LED strip light and a very good dimmer can do each for about $35 and have independent control of each.  I like the idea of being able to control light levels.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: OEM Mood Rope Light Replacement

Reply #6 –
I'd like to know how also. The PO put in led's and the light  looks dreadful.
Michael Hayley; Barry Brennan
2001 U320, 36', IFS, build #5909
Buster and Shelby, (Boxers)

Re: OEM Mood Rope Light Replacement

Reply #7 –

If they put in High Kelvin temp LEDs they will be ugly especially in this use.  You need warm white (3000°K or less) strips.  They come with different sized LED elements, smaller elements means less lumens and watts per foot and different spacing.  If you don't want brighter lights use the lowest lumens per foot that you can get.  Very good dimmers can get them down to 10% of that.

These are quality strips.  Smaller LEDs, 300 elements per 5M.  They are also available in 150 elements per 5M.

From the point where power is available do the loop in two pieces, one going half way around each way, less voltage drop, better light uniformity.  It is easy enough to do in four parts as well.  If the self stick tape is not sticky enough use 3/8" glazers tape.

Amazon.com: LE 16.4ft 12V Flexible LED Strip Lights, 3000K Warm White, 300...

Amazon.com: JVCC DC-WGT-01 Double Coated Window Glazing Tape: 1/16 in. thick...

Use 20 or 22 gage wire for short runs, 18 ga over 4 ft. Bigger for longer. Best to solder connections for durablility.

Best hardwired dimmer I have found...
Amazon.com: ITC (21030-BKBNBK-DB) Black LED Digital Dimmer: Automotive

Good wireless dimmer..
Amazon.com : Lwind RF mini monochromatic controller 11 key radio with...

These work at the same frequencies so using two in close proximity is a bit goofy.


As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: OEM Mood Rope Light Replacement

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 –
These are quality strips.  Smaller LEDs, 300 elements per 5M.  They are also available in 150 elements per 5M.


Amazon.com: LE 16.4ft 12V Flexible LED Strip Lights, 3000K Warm White, 300...


I tried searching for 150 elements per 5M with no success. Amazon out of stock and unsure if available again, no luck with internet search either.  We want to replace the failing OEM rope lights under our counter tops.  My wife likes to use them as night lights.

The rope lights in the ceiling surrounds and around windows still work fine, only under counter are failing.  I assume these LED strips can be direct wired as a direct replacement for existing OEM lights, no transformers or connectors etc required. We have a 12 volt rocker switch by the cook top that turns on the under counter lights in kitchen and bath.
As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
Dan - Full timing since 2009
2003 U320 40' Tag 2 slide

Re: OEM Mood Rope Light Replacement

Reply #9 –
rope light s lot softer light than most LED strips - and less lumens to boot - may take some trial nd error to find ones that she likes - consider dimmable and a dimmer.

Tim Fiedler

Sure Start Soft Start

TCER Direct generator-gas-prod 630 240-9139
Gen-Pro
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: OEM Mood Rope Light Replacement

Reply #10 –

Dan,

Here they are at the LightingEver web site.
16.4Ft 5M LED Strip - Warm White - 5050 LED Strip - 12V LED Christmas Lights...

They may be getting less common with dimmer technology as good as ithas become.  I have a couple of these strings at home,

Look at these.  I used these on the big awning, sewn into the edge of the flap near the top of the folded edge.  They need a very low voltage power supply (included).  They are just the LED micro bulbs about every 4" with a very fine copper wire. No voltage controllers thus the power supply.  They say they can not be cut but I did to 22 ft. , you just have to terminate the cut end the same way the original was.  The included dimmer works well.  These are another overhead tray lighting option.

Amazon.com: TaoTronics TT-SL036 33ft 100 LED String Lights Dimmable with...

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: OEM Mood Rope Light Replacement

Reply #12 –
Quote from: kenhat –
It doesn't waste bandwidth when you provide details for a project that others now or in the future may want to do. Post away!

see ya
ken

I bought this from Amazon; 
Amazon.com: 3/8 in. - Incandescent - Warm White - Rope Light - 2 Wire - 12...
and after removing the metal pins from a few connectors I soldered wires to them and pushed them into the ends of the rope.  Then I put a few layers of clear heat shrink tubing over everything.  The reason for that approach is because there's no room in the slot between the ceiling and trim piece for any other type of connector, and it reduces the void between bulbs there.

I then connected the rope lights to the existing wiring, stapled the rope wires to the wooden framework (to hold them and support the weight of the ropes prior to installation) and replaced the ceiling trim piece.  That's the hard part, getting it placed so there is even space all around the perimeter to allow me to just drop the rope inside.  The OEM rope has a spline that makes for easy attachment with a staple gun, but they are no longer available unless from FOT?  The new rope lights are not attached to the ceiling, but just laid in the narrow opening where the originals were.  Prior to removing the trim piece I now mark its position on the ceiling with blue painter's tape.

In the first picture you can see that both pins aren't barbed on both ends, so with them I always soldered to the smooth end, allowing the barb to do its job and stay in the rope better.

Lovin' the nice, warm glow from those babys!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2N7WFKwiaQ
As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.

Re: OEM Mood Rope Light Replacement

Reply #13 –
Thanks, looks nice.
The rope light is about 80 watts for one loop around the ceiling tray.  LED strips would be about 24 watts.

Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: OEM Mood Rope Light Replacement

Reply #14 –
Honestly Roger I'd rather pay for the electrical usage and have a little ambience.

At 3.0 watts per foot one trip around is only about 45 watts at the two smaller trays.