Updated: Anyone use LED Ribbon Light?

[Terry]

Wonder if any of you have experience using LED Rope light?

I have a scout box trailer (6x10) that we need to light up. I am thinking about doing some like this. It has double stick tape and I would run it across the ceiling ribs (5 of them).

Probably put a 7.5ah lead acid battery along with a 5 watt solar charger/maintainer. I figure since we only use it once a month that little panel should be able to charge that battery up between campouts...see any issue with that? Other lighting suggestions?

[drfife]

I have not used it, but very interested in trying it.

It would be great to permanently install on the awning. Currently, I have conventional rope lights permanently installed on my awning. I roll them up with the rope light attached. I've done this for many years, but the LED's would be a much slicker install.

Thanks for the link and tip.

[gilldawg79]

They work very well. I had some installed on my 19BH on the frame. They make great light.

Link of pic....

http://www.jaycoowners.com/showthread.php?t=4228

[clutch]

Wow, those lights under the trailer look really good.

[Rustic Eagle]

Looks like it would work fine.

Just wondering, if one LED goes out does it effect any of the other LED's?

Bob

[rodro123]

I have not used them but I went to the RV show in Milwaukee this past weekend and some of the manufactors are installing them on some of the 5th wheels under cabinets. It looks like a black light.

[Terry]

Originally Posted by Rustic Eagle

Looks like it would work fine.

Just wondering, if one LED goes out does it effect any of the other LED's?

Bob

thanks for all the comments. I picked up two rolls of 16 foot led ribbon, battery, dimmer, and solar charger for $100 -- thought that was pretty good. I have enough wire and stuff in my junk box for the rest. We will see how it turns out - hopefully it will be so bright in there you can hardly see. The battery should last a few hours - which is way more than needed.

As far as one going out impacting the string - it should not. They are wired in parallel in groups of three if I understand it right -- so no more than 3 should go out. You can cut it and adjust the length so worst case you patch a new piece in.

Will post an update/pics when I get it all installed over the next few weeks (I hope!)

Any other suggestions welcome.

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by tafische

snip.....
As far as one going out impacting the string - it should not. They are wired in parallel in groups of three if I understand it right -- so no more than 3 should go out.....snip

That's good, it's the same with the LED light boards that I installed in my TT..., one LED failure only takes out three.

Bob

[Terry]

Realized I never posted a follow up to this.

First of all - those LED ribbon lights are just amazing! What a huge difference they have made for the boys when they go on a camping trip.

So I ended up installing two of the 16 foot spools (600 LEDs). I divided the spools in thirds and ran 6 strips across the ribs. Put in a dimmer switch, a 7.5 ah battery and a 5 watt solar charger. It is on its second campout today and it is working great - they have had it on for over 2 hours straight and it is still going strong. It is charing no problem during the off time and is zero maintenance except for wiping the pollen off the solar cell. I am going to also add a cigarette plug as well so the leaders can charge cell phones if needed.

Total investment is $95.