Here's one way to install an LED Strip light on your Carefree awning.
Firstly check that the barrel of your awning has an 8mm recess for the strip light to go in.
Parts
- 3528 SMD LED strip light, my preference is Warm White (Don't use 5050, it is too wide to fit the recess)
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/331264385869?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649
- Wireless Remote/Dimmer
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/251616252611?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649
- 10m electric cable (get the thinnest possible) (attach link)
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/291082051025?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649
You want to run the wire down the seam of the awning, this is really tedious.
Using just some single core wire, preferably something that is stiff but small enough to fit through the gap in the stitching. Push this through as far as you can, you might only get 40-50cm before it jams, no problem. Just poke the end of the wire out of the seam and pull about 50cm out and then re insert the wire end back in and continue on. When it jams again pull it back out of the seam and pull it all through again. Keep doing this until you've got it running right through.
Now attach your actual cable to the end of the wire you just fed through and pull the cable back through the seam. Leave about an extra 50cm either end of the awning to play with for connecting.
Do the same for the other side of the awning (side which power will not be run through) This needs to be done so the awning will roll up evenly.
Drill a hole in the roof end to allow the cable to go through. I put the cable in some fuel line to prevent rubbing on the metal.
Now to get power, I tapped into the rangehood. It was easy enough, just unscrew all the screws you can see and remove the cover in which the lights are attached, then remove further screws to take out the whole unit which will then allow access to the incoming power. (Sorry didn't get a pic of this - straight forward though)
I drilled a small hole to allow the cable to come out and then run that cable in the lower 'poptop' section.
Then to get the cable outside I just pulled the poptop material out of the channel at the top and got the wire through. I'm not sure if over time whether this will rub through the wire. Other option is to bring the cable through the zipper stitching of the window.
Next is to wire in the remote sensor. Simply connect the wire that you just ran from inside to the unit and then to the wire in the awning seam. It tucks up nicely in the roof. Secure it with a dob of Sikaflex/bluetack/chewing gum.
Lastly putting the lights in the recess channel is straight forward. Put them in first before removing the backing tape then cut to length. Make sure you cut it at the coppertabs.
In connecting the cable I have done a dodgy non permanent approach by taping the wires down however I think I will drill to holes in the barrel (Pink spots). One for the wire to feed into and another in the recess. I want to check how the factory ones are done before I do this, will update if I do.
Finished!
Big thanks to @Marv_mart who gave me some tips and inspiration.
The remote works great has about 20 metres range, allows you to dim right down and has flashing modes if you feel like having a rave party under your awning.
Any questions or further explanation, just ask.
Firstly check that the barrel of your awning has an 8mm recess for the strip light to go in.
Parts
- 3528 SMD LED strip light, my preference is Warm White (Don't use 5050, it is too wide to fit the recess)
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/331264385869?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649
- Wireless Remote/Dimmer
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/251616252611?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649
- 10m electric cable (get the thinnest possible) (attach link)
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/291082051025?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649
You want to run the wire down the seam of the awning, this is really tedious.
Using just some single core wire, preferably something that is stiff but small enough to fit through the gap in the stitching. Push this through as far as you can, you might only get 40-50cm before it jams, no problem. Just poke the end of the wire out of the seam and pull about 50cm out and then re insert the wire end back in and continue on. When it jams again pull it back out of the seam and pull it all through again. Keep doing this until you've got it running right through.
Now attach your actual cable to the end of the wire you just fed through and pull the cable back through the seam. Leave about an extra 50cm either end of the awning to play with for connecting.
Do the same for the other side of the awning (side which power will not be run through) This needs to be done so the awning will roll up evenly.
Drill a hole in the roof end to allow the cable to go through. I put the cable in some fuel line to prevent rubbing on the metal.
Now to get power, I tapped into the rangehood. It was easy enough, just unscrew all the screws you can see and remove the cover in which the lights are attached, then remove further screws to take out the whole unit which will then allow access to the incoming power. (Sorry didn't get a pic of this - straight forward though)
I drilled a small hole to allow the cable to come out and then run that cable in the lower 'poptop' section.
Then to get the cable outside I just pulled the poptop material out of the channel at the top and got the wire through. I'm not sure if over time whether this will rub through the wire. Other option is to bring the cable through the zipper stitching of the window.
Next is to wire in the remote sensor. Simply connect the wire that you just ran from inside to the unit and then to the wire in the awning seam. It tucks up nicely in the roof. Secure it with a dob of Sikaflex/bluetack/chewing gum.
Lastly putting the lights in the recess channel is straight forward. Put them in first before removing the backing tape then cut to length. Make sure you cut it at the coppertabs.
In connecting the cable I have done a dodgy non permanent approach by taping the wires down however I think I will drill to holes in the barrel (Pink spots). One for the wire to feed into and another in the recess. I want to check how the factory ones are done before I do this, will update if I do.
Finished!
Big thanks to @Marv_mart who gave me some tips and inspiration.
The remote works great has about 20 metres range, allows you to dim right down and has flashing modes if you feel like having a rave party under your awning.
Any questions or further explanation, just ask.
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