Colorful LEDs

[HOOK]

Today we installed the colorful band of LEDs along the area under the awning. Inspired by Jim Fischer, George Person helped me and I helped him. Now we both have the latest outside lighting. They really provide a lot of light and are a novelty as hey can be programmed to do several different things, fun!

[DQDick]

Were these from Camping World? How are they powered and do they roll up with the awning?

[Sheepdog]

Can they whistle "Dixie" while changing colors?

[bncinwv]

Are they dimmable or do you have to wear suntan lotion when they are on. We are considering them, but the preliminary reports we have seen on them is they are bright, bright, bright!
Bingo

[HOOK]

They are on the wall just below the awning rail. They are dimable. They can be very bright, or vert dim as you choose. The remote has all kinds of possibilities. They came from amazon, $26.88. Brand name is Super Night. 16 feet long, waterproof, 300 LEDs. They are 12 volts supplied by transformer provided. Can be wired direct to 12 if you desire.

[bncinwv]

How did you wire them up? Plug in outside? Does the cord detach for traveling? Need details Larry!! Sounds promising! If we all camp together and we get a set, we can be patriotic, one rig red, one rig white and one rig blue!! That would be cool, oh sorry, mispoke, the Floridian refugees are the uncool ones!! Hee Hee!
Bingo

[HOOK]

quote:Originally posted by Sheepdog

Can they whistle "Dixie" while changing colors?

I haven't learned all the programming yet , but if they can learn , I will teach them Dixie.

[Flymutt]

If you get these make sure they are for outdoor use (because they also have an indoor version). I have mine attached to the awning tube so it rolls up with the awning. I returned the original set (Amazon) because I could not get the IR controller to work on all settings. The second one I ordered (also Amazon) had similar problems so I ordered an RF controller and it works much better however, it does not have as many color options. The IR controller has hundreds of light settings and will also dim and flash. My RF controller only has about 12 colors but will also dim and flash. It has a converter so it plugs into the outside 110 outlet. For $25 bucks you can't go wrong. COOL!

[Captain Joe]

Pictures. Pictures. Pictures, PLEASE.

[leemedic]

quote:Originally posted by bncinwv

How did you wire them up? Plug in outside? Does the cord detach for traveling? Need details Larry!! Sounds promising! If we all camp together and we get a set, we can be patriotic, one rig red, one rig white and one rig blue!! That would be cool, oh sorry, mispoke, the Floridian refugees are the uncool ones!! Hee Hee!
Bingo

I have the same questions.

[HOOK]

quote:Originally posted by bncinwv

How did you wire them up? Plug in outside? Does the cord detach for traveling? Need details Larry!! Sounds promising! If we all camp together and we get a set, we can be patriotic, one rig red, one rig white and one rig blue!! That would be cool, oh sorry, mispoke, the Floridian refugees are the uncool ones!! Hee Hee!
Bingo

The wiring is custom to the floorplan. You know how the wires for the awning motor follow the frame and through the wall, well on George's 3850, he ran the wire down the rear frame. Drilled through wall into medicine cabinet . Put transformer in med cabinet and plugged into nearby wall socket. Use 3 M auto mldg double sided tape to attach lights. Jim Fischer was first to do this. I'll see if George will post pictures.

[MDL]

Wow, that sounds really promising. I use LED strip lights under my cabinets at home, dimmable from voltage changes through a 110VAC transformer. I bought the same lights for inside undercabinet for the Monty and will install when it arrives (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1). These are not color changing, but a good color for most applications. Power it from a 12VDC source and a dimmer switch and you've got a good application.

For the outside I also want to install 12VDC dimmable LEDs, RGB preferable, but didn't look at 5050 or 3528 diode size. There are many options. I'm not sure how'd I'd wire it, but noticed many at the Seattle RV show have it in the awning roller and use the edge of the awning fabric as the wire transport. I would assume you could work in a fabric clip or silicone it in place, but Hook's idea going down the frame rail is probably easiest. I know it really looks great, and love Bingo's idea of a caravan color concert!

[MDL]

Larry, is this essentially what you used?
http://www.amazon.com/SUPERNIGHT-TM-...oof+supernight

[HOOK]

quote:Originally posted by MDL

Larry, is this essentially what you used?
http://www.amazon.com/SUPERNIGHT-TM-...oof+supernight

Precisely what we used. Edit: we used the 5050 @ $26.88. Please forgive my mistake!

[Ishler]

I like the 5050 lights over the 3528 because the 5050 can produce white light.

[HOOK]

These have a white option.

[bncinwv]

quote:Originally posted by HOOK

These have a white option.

Larry,
Mike is referring to the actual bulb type and the brightness, clarity and quality of the light that is emitted. The power usage differs slightly as well. Here is an article comparing the two:


5050 vs 3528

Amazon also has them as well:

5050 LED strips

Bingo

[HOOK]

quote:Originally posted by bncinwv

Larry,
Mike is referring to the actual bulb type and the brightness, clarity and quality of the light that is emitted. The power usage differs slightly as well. Here is an article comparing the two:


5050 vs 3528

Amazon also has them as well:

5050 LED strips

Bingo

Thanks Bingo, as you know, I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer. Forgive my mistake, please! The 5050 are the ones we have. I will add to original post.
Larry

[bncinwv]

My last question, did you use the tape that came with the strips or supplement it? A lot of reviews say the provided tape is the weak link, but reading further, if the application is done in an uncool climate the product seems to hold well. I am curious as to how they will survive the turbulence beneath the awning when travelling. Thinking hard about the previous suggestion of installing them on the awning roller, but then they can only be used when the awning is extended. Oh, the perils of a mod induced mind!! Keep us (MOC) updated as to how well they hold up during travel. I have already convinced DW that this may be a Spring mod! Thanks for the clarification and hopefully George can post some pics including how he wired his 3850 up.
Bingo

[Captain Joe]

Thinking about wiring into the porch light? Comments?