External LED Strip - 1st Mod done!

[ROnEM]

Have finally had some time to put the 1st mod on the new Panda.

As we are heading north to some warmer weather, we are hoping to spend more time outside the van than in it, so 1st mod was to put an external LED strip light on.

Here are the steps taken...

Step 1: Remove the top fridge vent, locate and cut the wire running to the external annexe LED light.


Step 2: Crimp the external annexe LED wires back together, adding in the smaller wire to go to the LED strip


Step 3: Solder the small wires to the exposed copper terminals on the LED strip & check it works!


Step 4: Stick the LED strip into place - note the double sided tape most of the come with is useless. After removing the double sided tape from the back of the LED strip, I used (very sparingly) PASCO FIX - an industrial super clue. More on this product in another post. Replace the top fridge vent, making sure the LED strip wires are tidy.


Step 5: Turn on the LED strip and admire your handy work.


Cheers,

Rohan

 

[relgate]

A nice write up thanks Rohan. Looks great.

 

[Burnsy]

Nice job Ro, looks great. Pity I don't have top vent on the side!

Cheers.

 

[Holden_man]

Yep looks great ro, she sure is going to stand out at night. Did you get the strip off eBay?

 

[Xpandafan]

Very nice job, Rohan. Wish I had also had a fridge vent on annexe side. Might have to investigate the annexe light as a connection point. Added to the wish list. - Bill

 

[cruza driver]

Very nice job, Rohan. Wish I had also had a fridge vent on annexe side. Might have to investigate the annexe light as a connection point. Added to the wish list. - Bill

I think someone else did it this way but I cant remember who?

 

[Holden_man]

I think someone else did it this way but I cant remember who?

This is one
http://www.expandasdownunder.com/sh...rnal-table-led-strip-lighting?highlight=strip

 

[Xpandafan]

Thanks boys. Ordered a 5m strip already. At last another mod that doesn't look beyond my skill level! :wink:

 

[Capt. Gadget]

I stuck my strip up under the Lid and ran the cable back along the gas strut and down inside the wall to the external light switch by the door, which I replaced with a two gang switch so I can have on either the strip, the standard light or both

 

[Pace]

I think someone else did it this way but I cant remember who?

Yeah it was me.look up my threads from my profile re awning strip lighting 17.56-2.cheers.

 

[ROnEM]

Yep - saw Pace's light strip and copied the idea. It is VERY bright - thought I had ordered warm white, but clearly not!

My wife now calls it the Disco Van!

Strip ordered from eBay - local Aussie seller in Sydney.

Put it along the top of the exterior wall so that when the awning is rolled out, there will be plenty of reflection from the white roof.

Will be putting in a 2nd light switch by the external annexe switch to operate the LED strip independently - but will do this when we get back from ouR two week trip over the school holidays.

 

[Brad]

Take a look at these.
http://www.surfstitch.com/product/havaianas-gummy-lights-multi
I absolutely love them for a bit of mood.
I am going to purchase a couple of sets of these soon. When we stay for a week at a spot i will bring them out.
Just waiting to see them go on sale as I think at $50 they are overpriced.

 

[macca]

Any links to sellers of the strips. Always good to buy from someones recommendations.

 

[ROnEM]

Brad,

They are fantastic - have looked everywhere - all still $49.95!

Let us know when they are on special.

maccayak - The seller I used for the strips is Citipower Online Shop. They have all sorts of LED strips. I used the 5050 LEDs - they are brighter.

 

[Capt. Gadget]

Any links to sellers of the strips. Always good to buy from someones recommendations.

I got mine here
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/5M-300LE...Accessories&hash=item2a12ec0502#ht_4131wt_922

 

[Xpandafan]

Any links to sellers of the strips. Always good to buy from someones recommendations.

Same as Capt Gadget. Free postage. At store, same price for just 1m on special.

 

[ROnEM]

Xpandafan - I saw some in a local auto store the other day - $60 for 1 metre -vs- $17 (shipped) for 5 metres from the eBay seller I used! And they wonder why retail is dying!

 

[Xpandafan]

Agree entirely Rohan. I'd love to support local stores BUT I do hate being ripped off. And sometimes I wish the local strore could even match the level of service of the eBay suppliers I've used as well as their prices.

 

[Holden_man]

I'm with you lot, My 36 led panels arrived this week, $5 delivered, local Jayco dealer is selling much the same for $36, and they would be coming from china as well. I get that they have higher costs and overheads but I can't justify paying that much, I work too hard just to give cash away. I want to support local jobs, don't know what the answer is?:noidea:

 

[Antman]

Looks good Ro.