We like the lighting of the 210P, which includes LED spots and fluorescents. But in the evening we wanted dimmable and "surround" light. So in June of [2015] I purchased and installed strip lighting.
I purchased a strip of LEDs 16.4 feet in length, with power supply, remote control and sensor for the remote. The cost was about $22 and today a similar strip can be purchased for less.
The first decision was where to mount the power supply. I could have gone direct DC, but decided on using the 120VAC supply that came with the strip. [Note: Some of the LEDs are designed for 12VDC and are intolerant of the higher voltages which can occur in RVs. I decided to use the AC/DC power supply which provides a stable DC voltage to the LEDs].
For the location of the power supply I had two easy choices. One location was above the entertainment center and the other above the kitchen galley. I chose the kitchen galley because it provided a better "line of site" for the remote.
As is true for all of my projects I determined what plugs into what before I attempted the install. I powered it up and confirmed operation on a tabletop. I also checked the length of the LED strip and how far it could reach. I'd made measurements prior to purchase, but the saying is "measure twice, cut once." This is before doing any drilling, etc. I had measured the length of the ceiling perimeter in the Roadtrek, The strip would reach from the extreme edge of the cabinet above the kitchen area, around the rear and to the armoire with about a foot to spare. I removed the plastic cover of the heat pump/AC so I could run the strip beneath it. The strip has a sticky back and adheres easily to the cabinetry.
Before installing I plugged it all together on a table and powered it up. I verified it all works before installing.
Here's the package:
Here are the electronics included in the package. Not shown is the remote or the spool of LEDs. This is a power supply and control module. The module includes a sensor which responds to the remote:
Here's the sensor that must have "line of sight" to the remote control. The sensor is one of the leads going to the white box in the above photo. The control included detailed instructions of what to plug into what, so I won't duplicate that here. The important this is this. The sensor must be installed outside of any cabinet so the remote will work.
Here's the second lead from the white control module. This lead goes to the LED strip. If you enlarge the photo you will notice a raised arrow. This must be aligned with a matching one on the mating connector of the LED strip. I needed to drill a hole large enough to accommodate this connector and the sensor.
Using a hand drill, I drilled a hole large enough through the cabinet to accommodate both connectors, but no larger than necessary so as not to reduce the strength of the cabinet. Here is what it looks like with the LED strip in place. The sensor was pushed into the hole from the rear and projects slightly into the room.
I also fed the LED connector through the hole and into the cabinet. It is probably easier to do the LED first. As I unrolled the LED strip I removed the backing about 3 inches at a time and pressed it onto the cabinet surface. The strip has a sticky back. At the heat pump/AC I removed the cover and ran the LED strip under it and around. It reached all the way to the armoire.
Here's a close-up. You can see the sensor projecting into the room:
Here's the cable and connector from the LED strip, Ready to install the control module and connect.
To get the strip around corners I used two techniques. I used a razor knife to cut the plastic lens at exterior corners. This allowed for a sharp 90 degree bend. For interior corners I simply rounded the LED strip. Of course, I could have chamfered the inside corners, but I decided the benefits outweighed the time spent:
Ready to mount the electrical components:
Drilling the mounting holes for the screws to hold the electronic control module in place:
Connecting the LED strip to the control module. Be sure to observe the polarity markings:
Ready to mount the power supply:
I used sticky bases for cable tie-wraps to mount the power supply (See Note 1). These tend to loosen and perhaps one day I'll do this with screws. After mounting I plugged the power supply into the controller and into the AC outlet:
In the above photo, you will notice the sensor hanging in space. I simply pulled on the cable, drawing it back toward the hole. It projects about 1/4 inch from the front of the cabinet. Not noticeable,
Here's the remote:
Here's a close-up of the LED strip. It can be cut at the copper areas to shorten it, but I chose not to:
Here is the same strip illuminated as "white" and at maximum brightness:
Here we are, at night with the strip set to white light and moderate intensity:
Notes:
Per reader question. The "sticky base" I used for the cable ties is a square plastic mounting base with foam sticky backing. The cable tie can be threaded through this. These bases tend to loosen under high heat when attached to non-smooth surfaces (>90F per my experience). See the photo:
