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Topic: LED rope light replacement (Read 815 times) previous topic - next topic

LED rope light replacement

I'm in the process of re doing my day-night shades and window valances. Part of the job will be the replacement of all the rope lighting inside the window valances and along the floor and door steps. I prefer warm white without dimming or color changes.
I roughly calculate about 100' will be needed.

What products and sellers are the those that have done this used?
Any tips are always welcome.
1995 U320C SE 40'
Jeep 4x4 Commander - Limited - Hemi
"The Pack"  Yogi and Diesel our Airedales -  Charlie our Boxer/Akita mix. Gone but NEVER forgotten Jake our yellow Lab.
NRA Law Enforcement Firearms instructor - Handgun/shotgun
Regional Firearms instructor for national Armored Transp. Co.

Re: LED rope light replacement

Reply #1 –
I want to do the same but will want the capability to dim. With all the improvements made to LEDs I'm thinking this shouldn't be a big deal. My 101 year old mom would want to rip out any light the last time we had her in the coach, but I still like the idea of leaving the counter lights and floor road lights on at night sort of like a night light. Will also doo the ceiling light that our year coach has. I think those would be nice to have the capability to be used as actual lighting. I agree with the 2700 Kelvin color but also think with all the advancements made with color control and dimming one should take advantage of the ever changing world we live in. May also add to the resale value (Not that I plan to sell). Will cost virtually the same and will be the same amount of work. I definitely would be using a hi-temp hot glue gun to set in place possibly followed up with clear RTV to secure in place long term. Look forward to the continuation of this link so I can follow down the road. Grand kids would get a kick out of having a Christmas themed colors or for Autumn accents. Same amount of work either way

Re: LED rope light replacement

Reply #2 –

We replaced all the ceiling lights and floor lighting under the kitchen sink and bathroom sink with these. They are pretty bright so a dimmer might be advisable but for the ceiling lights( replaced the fluorescent lights) it was a great replacement and uses MUCH less power.               
 
ICIH Under Cabinet LED Light 10Pack 12v LED Light Strip Rigid Super Bright...

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Peter    Alberta Canada
'98 U320 40'  Build 5359 M11 450 HP, Aqua hot, Blu Ox

Re: LED rope light replacement

Reply #3 –
Quote from: Peter –
We replaced all the ceiling lights and floor lighting under the kitchen sink and bathroom sink with these. They are pretty bright so a dimmer might be advisable but for the ceiling lights( replaced the fluorescent lights) it was a great replacement and uses MUCH less power.                   

ICIH Under Cabinet LED Lighting 10Pack Rigid DC 12V LED Light Strip Light Super Bright Warm White 3000K SMD5630 9W 84LED Double Row 0.5m/20in for Kitchen,Counter
 
 ICIH Under Cabinet LED Lighting 10Pack Rigid DC 12V LED Light Strip Light...
Yep but not rope lighting. Ive used these. Very nice
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Re: LED rope light replacement

Reply #4 –
Quote from: dsd –
I want to do the same but will want the capability to dim. With all the improvements made to LEDs I'm thinking this shouldn't be a big deal.

Actually, it is a big deal.  Dimming most consumer (aka affordable) LEDs is done by rapidly switching them on and off. 

What is Dimming? An Introduction to Dimming LEDs.

That's one of the reasons dimmable ones tend to fail early (and they're particularly persnickety about the dimming control).  People sensitive to flicker can also pick up the output change.

Now add to that the fact that most inexpensive automotive LEDs expect a constant 12Vdc.  Not 12.9 volts, not 13.4 volts, and not the 14.1 that is sometimes seen in an RV house 12V system.  Higher voltage causes them to run hotter, also shortening their lifespan.

Most of the "improvements" for LED replacement bulbs centers around lowering cost/cost to manufacture, not improving reliability.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: LED rope light replacement

Reply #5 –
Thanks Michelle.
I have remembered your past posts about LED lights and the sensitivity to 12v fluctuations caused by a inconsistent power source.
This is why I was interested in following the KISS principal, I don't want to have to replace them for many years.
I'm also not interested in anything that is Bluetooth, WiFi, or cell phone controlled, a simple switch that turns them on and off is what I want. If they are too bright I will use a neutral density filter or sleeve  of some kind to tone them down.

So with that said I guess I'm looking for is a 12v variable voltage light that works between 12v and 15v, probably less bulbs per foot, and quality made.
What brand and who sells it is the question.
1995 U320C SE 40'
Jeep 4x4 Commander - Limited - Hemi
"The Pack"  Yogi and Diesel our Airedales -  Charlie our Boxer/Akita mix. Gone but NEVER forgotten Jake our yellow Lab.
NRA Law Enforcement Firearms instructor - Handgun/shotgun
Regional Firearms instructor for national Armored Transp. Co.

Re: LED rope light replacement

Reply #6 –

On the buggy whips I put dimmers on they did not play well with the first dimmer I used. The dimmer controller I ended up going with had to drive both the power and an isolated ground. Once the ground wire for the LED was isolated the dimming feature would dim down to the point that the individual LEDs were just visible in the compleat dark. They are not rope lights so I didnt mention. I'll add that information here. I am real sensitive to lights that show frequency light emissions. I could not visually detect any fluctuations. Looked just like incandescent dimmed light once I found a good dimmer.
Ulincos Touch Switch UT19T12 Stepless Dimming Switch with Memory, LED ON...
Foretravel repair work distractions.
These work very well for me.

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Re: LED rope light replacement

Reply #7 –
As I recall. There are a lot of newer LEDs that have voltage control built in and can be fed a wide range of DC voltage. Our puck LED replacements use 10-30vdc.
Jerry & Nona and Kimeru the cat that thinks she's a dog
1998 36' WTFE U320  #5314 Motorcade #17711
USAF 1975-1995
2019 Subaru Crosstrek 'toad'
2003 Subaru Legacy touring car
jerry Fincher | Flickr

Re: LED rope light replacement

Reply #8 –
We installed under cabinet and entry cove LED lighting in our house as part of a remodel in 2014. I used inexpensive LED strips from Amazon or ebay. I had to replace them in around 2018 and again in 2022 due to individual (actually totaling more than 50%) LEDs burning out. And these were all mounted on relatively heavy 45 deg aluminum extrusions to provide heat dissipation. I decided for the 2022 edition that cheap LEDs were not worth my time to keep having to replace every few years. I went LED strips with a UL listed, 15-year warranty, high color consistency (97 CRI), from a US based company. As they say on their website: "Do it once, do it right". I hate doing a project 3 times! Not cheap, but so far not a single burned out LED in nearly 2 years. I'm using the same on any motorhome projects from now on.

LED strip lights | Brightest Architectural LED Strip Lighting
Bruce & Linda
2004 U295, Build # 6268, ISL400 CAPS
2016 Ford Explorer Sport or 1985 Jeep CJ7