Awning shades and LED lights

[timjet]

After our first camping trip I realized the need for shade around our extended awning. However the awning is so high when extended I would need a 10 ft ladder to attached a shade to the awning tube. So I've seen on the internet awning shades that come in 2 parts, a small section that attaches to the tube via a slot or channel in the awning tube that rolls up with the awning and a second larger section that zippers to the smaller section and drops to the ground. The idea being the smaller section drops far enough to zipper to the larger section without getting on a ladder. I have a Carefree of Colorado motorized awning.

Just wondering if you folks that have this arrangement are happy with it and if the smaller section rolls up without binding when you retract the awning.

I also want to get LED lights for on the awning. Is it possible to get the lights to attached to the awning tube? If so how would you run a DC power wire to the lights without the wire binding when you retract the awning?

Thanks in advance for any advice or recommendations.

[mricet1005]

I bought the ShadePro Vista awning shade last year and really like it. In two parts as you say. After initial install can install the extension part of shade without a ladder. The small part has rolled up in the awning with no issues. If windy out may have to rewind to avoid wrinkles.

[Bart Anderson]

I attach the shade with binder clips to the valence that hangs down from the awning. If I need to roll up the awning in high wind conditions a tug pulls it off. If you want to attach LED lights to the awning tube do as I did get the flat led tube lights and use silicon glue.

[-Gramps-]

Ditto on the Vista Shade from ShadePro.net. Ours has a 2 foot panel zippered to a 6 foot long panel for an 8 foot drop. I roll the 2 foot section up in the awning. I don't need a ladder to remove the bottom piece. The 6 foot section came with tent stakes (I supplied my own ball end bungee cords) and it came with slide on hooks for lights as well. I can keep my patio awning extended in higher wind with the Vista Shade staked down than without it, but I still take it in if I have to.

I am also looking at purchasing an 8 foot quick release end panel screen from Shade Pro as well.

[billdreamlv]

For the LEDs in the awning, I glued a row of strip lights along the roll up tube when the awning was fully extended. Then I very carefully fished a 22 gauge 2 conductor wire through the folded-over seam in the edge of the awning. The wire rolls up with the awning. Then I fished the wire down the articulating metal extender and put a switch in the elbow of the arm so that the LEDs do not come on until the awning is fully extended. When the elbow of the awning is fully extended to more of a straight position the switch engages. This was a safety feature so that I wouldn't accidently roll up the awning without shutting off the lights. Then I put something( I can't remember) on the other end of the tube from the wires just inside the awning on the tube. This was done so that the when you roll up the awning on to the tube the wire on on the other end wouldn't make the fabric roll up crooked on the roll tube. It evened it out. Then I put a dimmer in the basement of the coach and I can dim the lights to whatever intensity I want on the awning. It was pretty easy and the most dangerous part of the install was the ladder. The current in these lights was only about 1.7 amps so you don't need much of a wire. But when I finished going through the awning hem, I increased the size of the wire because of line loss. The switch was a momentary push on switch and I mounted it right on the end of the elbow inside the arm so you can't see it.

I will see if I can load some pictures later today.

[Hammer bird]

We just bought the carefree ez-zip blocker for our MH. It's a little wonkie when you roll the upper section in with the awning. We had to unroll, organize the gathers and re-roll but it's ok. Some of the netting extends out from the sides. We added led lights to the underside of the awning up against the Mh. So far so good. BTW the awning blocker was a godsend on our last trip in a tree-less site.

[billdreamlv]

Ok, I went out to the MH and took a video of the installation of the LEDs on the awning. Here you go. I put some LEDs as spacers on the other end of the tube so it would roll up straight. This simulated the size of the wire on the other side of the awning. I also put a block of wood to make sure the switch engaged when articulated. Notice the switch in the elbow.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wo3GlJ_qAQ

[hes4all]

Can you share how you control the wire when opening and closing? Do you enough where it just spins the wire?

[billdreamlv]

Originally Posted by hes4all

Can you share how you control the wire when opening and closing? Do you enough where it just spins the wire?

There is really nothing to it. Just leave about 1.5 inches on either end before you secure it and it just rolls up with the awning. It is only 12v. I have had it on for more than 2 years now with no problems. If you take of the lower plastic cover it will allow you to fish the small wire down the hole to the basement. At least, that's how it worked on mine. Make sure it is stranded wire not solid core.

[timjet]

Thanks Bill for posting the video.
Where did you drill the hole for the DC wire to enter the coach?

[TLGPE]

We have the same awning and we got our Shade Pro with the seven foot drop. It just rolls up with the awning and disappears.

It comes with some short pieces of cord to tie down the outer edge of the shade. I use longer cord and some plastic tent pegs to pull the awning outward and give some more room in the little "cave" it creates. It does give us a cozy feel to the patio.

I'm not a fan of the light strips, so I can't offer any insight there.

Tom

[billdreamlv]

Originally Posted by timjet

Thanks Bill for posting the video.
Where did you drill the hole for the DC wire to enter the coach?

I didn't have to drill a hole. If you take off the plastic cap at the very bottom of the awning where it mounts to the coach, you can fish the wire right through there. I will see if I can get a picture of it for you.

[billdreamlv]

One more thing to think about. The wind protection system that I have automatically rolls up the awning in high winds. When you install your LED light strips on the tube, and if you have such a system, make sure you have an automatic cut off switch like I installed. Otherwise your system will possibly roll up your awning while your lights are still on. It might make some nasty brown spots on your awning.

[doering831]

Originally Posted by billdreamlv

For the LEDs in the awning, I glued a row of strip lights along the roll up tube when the awning was fully extended. Then I very carefully fished a 22 gauge 2 conductor wire through the folded-over seam in the edge of the awning. The wire rolls up with the awning. Then I fished the wire down the articulating metal extender and put a switch in the elbow of the arm so that the LEDs do not come on until the awning is fully extended. When the elbow of the awning is fully extended to more of a straight position the switch engages. This was a safety feature so that I wouldn't accidently roll up the awning without shutting off the lights. Then I put something( I can't remember) on the other end of the tube from the wires just inside the awning on the tube. This was done so that the when you roll up the awning on to the tube the wire on on the other end wouldn't make the fabric roll up crooked on the roll tube. It evened it out. Then I put a dimmer in the basement of the coach and I can dim the lights to whatever intensity I want on the awning. It was pretty easy and the most dangerous part of the install was the ladder. The current in these lights was only about 1.7 amps so you don't need much of a wire. But when I finished going through the awning hem, I increased the size of the wire because of line loss. The switch was a momentary push on switch and I mounted it right on the end of the elbow inside the arm so you can't see it.

I will see if I can load some pictures later today.

I did the same... but weaved a single wire on either end of awning (this prevented uneven roll) used white silicon to secure the wire as i ran it along the awning to just above the porch light then punched a small hole and ran wire inside wall to porch light. I did not go with the safety switch idea but the led are cool enough i hope they wont hurt anything if i ever forget and leave the light on... i used a lighted switch