Under-Awning LED Lighting 2006 Diplomat

[Scotty Hutto]

After seeing @pwhittle Paul Whittle's installation of LED lighting on his Sig, I had to copy.  I am able to control the color and brighness from my cell phone or the Amazon Echo "Alexa" in the coach.  You can also schedule the lights to turn off at a specific time each night, which is handy. 

Paul Provided a list of materials for his project, and I made a few changes for my project:

- LE RGBW LED Strip Lights, WiFi Smart Waterproof Color Changing LED Strips 16.4ft SMD 5050 LED Tape Light $29.99

- LightingWill 5-Pack V-Shape LED Aluminum Channel System 3.3ft/1M Anodized Black Corner Mount Extrusion for <12mm Width SMD3528 5050 LED Strips with Milky White Cover, End Caps, Clips V02B5 $34.99

- 2PCS 1M 3.28ft 5 Color RGBW Extension Cable LED Strip Connector Extension Cable Cord Wire 5 Pin LED Connector for SMD 5050 3528 2835 RGBW LED Light Strip (2PCS) $7.66

- 3M 06384 Automotive Acrylic Plus Attachment Tape $13.50

First, I cleaned the area to install the channel with denatured alcohol:

I used about 3" of the 3M Automotive Tape at each end of the 3' channel sections, along with the clips provided:

I installed the channel along the lower lip of the slide surround, leaving about an inch at the front for the wiring:

After installing the channel, I secured the LED tape to the channel and installed the cover:

Ends were sealed with Proflex to prevent water intrusion.

Inside the coach I was able to get 12v from the lighting wiring harness in the cabinets and installed the controller:

 

Finished product:

Total cost: Less than $90

Time to install: About 2-3 hours.

 

More random install pictures my phone decided to upload for me...

[Guest CjnCook]

Hey Scotty,

Copying your installation of the LED lights on my 2008 Diplomat. Got everything installed, drilled the hole next to the strip to run the cable, but running into a snag getting it down into the cabinet. I can run a hard wire into the outside hole, but can't locate it when looking into the space above the slide out ceiling. There seems to be a double "wall" where I might need to make two penetrations. Can you give some insight into how you were able to snake the cable through? And I am assuming you cut and spliced one of the cable?

[Scotty Hutto]

Yes, that was probably the most difficult part. I ended up using a coat hanger and having to bend it with a lot of trial and error. There was about a 2-3” offset from the hole in the outside to the hole on the inside, and I had a rough time connecting

yes, I had to cut the cable and splice it  I used the small heat-shrink/solder connectors, but the crimp-style connectors for phone cable that you can get from Home Depot would work just as well  

 

[Will52]

Very nice Thx for sharing!

[tomevansfl]

Was considering getting the type that slides through the accessory groove in the awning tube, but I like that you can use the lights without having the awning extended.  I don't like to leave the awning out when not at the campsite but sometimes you have to return after sunset.  Have had experience with rain and awning collapse...not a pretty picture.