Boogey Lights Under Glow Installation - 45DP

[rewillia]

After quite a bit of research and planning, I have commenced my DIY installation of LEDs on the underside of my motor coach. .

My installation will include the addition of 10-ten separate LED strips, one RF controller to be commonly switched taking power from a spare 20A fuse terminal in the coach electrical bay (cord reel bay).

Over the course of installation, I'll be posting photographs that will hopefully help other contemplating a similar "DIY" install of ground surround LED lighting underneath their motor home.

Installation Post # 1 - Here are some photos on the front fascia generator slide LED instal. As shown, I used 1/4" SS all thread (replacing the OE 1/4-self-tapping screws which anchor the fog light brackets) as the end mounts for some 3/4" W aluminum angle extrusion to which I bolted the LED aluminum channel to. Then added a center support bracket from my generator slide actuator housing making sure that when closing the LED light bar and support bracketry will clear all and it does.

LF - OEM Fog Light mount anchor brace used to anchor LED strip light aluminum extrusion and channel. 1/4" SS all thread secured with lock nuts.


View from LF to RF


View RF to LF. denotes use of 1" aluminum flat bar bolted to generator slide actuator/ram head bracket to serve as center support arm for LED aluminum extrusion and strip light channel. If doing an install such as this, be sure to take all measurements with the gen. slide in both the open and closed position to ensure there is or will be no conflicts or obstructions.


More photos and explanations of my install will follow this post/thread.

[JNSNWT]

[C.Martin]

Originally Posted by JNSNWT

Me too!

[BRex45]

The purpose of this?

[Bob_C]

Atmosphere...Waiting to see controller...

[Fritschw]

Hi. I have a single Boogey Light LED strip installed under my awning on my 5er. I installed it last summer and it has worked great until now. I do wish it was capable of dimming more but not a big deal. Now that temps here are dropping into the low teens I find the strip comes on at night and flashes red until the sun hits the side of the trailer and heats it up. I tried replacing the remote battery but it still happens. For now I just removed the fuse.

[rewillia]

Originally Posted by BRex45

The purpose of this?

If you're asking what the purpose of this post/threads are, As stated in my OP, my intent is to share my DIY installation with others that may be contemplating a similar installation. That's it.

[rewillia]

Originally Posted by bob caldwell

Atmosphere...Waiting to see controller...

Correct: Atmosphere

As to the controller install, etc. I'm having to suspend the installation by 1-week due to another engagement. Should be back on it this time next week and will resume posting photos of the installation along with the explanation of how & why in terms of mounting techniques, wiring runs, controller location, etc.

[BRex45]

Originally Posted by rewillia

If you're asking what the purpose of this post/threads are, As stated in my OP, my intent is to share my DIY installation with others that may be contemplating a similar installation. That's it.

I realize that you want to share your DIY, I was wondering why you want to run the underbelly lights in the first place. Some owners keep lights on underneath to keep varmits away from the coach while it is in storage.

[rewillia]

Originally Posted by BRex45

I realize that you want to share your DIY, I was wondering why you want to run the underbelly lights in the first place. Some owners keep lights on underneath to keep varmits away from the coach while it is in storage.

Not uncommon, these type "ground effects" LED strip lights are offered as an OEM option which my 2017 motorcoach was not ordered with. I simply elected to instal them myself after getting quotes from Newmar to do it for $4500 vs. what will be approx. $700 with my doing it. I like the appearance these ground effects lighting adds and that it. No other reason.

[rewillia]

Additional photos of the installation of Boogey Lights Inc, "Under Glow" surround LED lighting on the underside of my 45DP (2017 Newmar Essex). In these photos I show/indicate the means by which I found to route the wiring for the rear light strips (behind Tag axle and rear fascia/bumper/rock guard) forward to the basement compartment in front of the drive axle. For my coach, there was no open access available to be found on the chassis to route the wiring without penetrating the RV house so finding this channel provided an alternate solution.

Open channel that runs along the top of the basement below the RV house and is concealed from the outside/exterior of the coach. Access was found at the top of the basement door frame behind the door seal weather-stripping.


Indication of the location of the channel as it runs through the drive/tag axle wheel well.

Indication of split loom conduit having been run using the open channel inside of the wheel well (from rear chassis battery compartment into basement forward of drive axle). The split loom was later secured using loom clamps then then further sealed using expanding foam spray with under coating applied to 1) hold it in place and 2) seal it all up.

Indicates exit point of split loom conduit where I reached the forward (ahead of drive axle) cargo basement compartment.

[rewillia]

Additional photos of the installation of Boogey Lights Inc, "Under Glow" surround LED lighting on the underside of my 45DP (2017 Newmar Essex).

Pole Terminals were used in the Rear (chassis battery compartment) and Forward (in generator slide compartment (not shown here) to connect the 3-LED light strips installed on the rear/front fascia(s) and behind the tag axle and forward of the steer tires. Both pole terminals were commonly grounded to the chassis at these locations allowing for only 1-14 AWG Pos (+) wire to need to be run through the coach to the midship basement where the junction box & RF controller are mounted.


Installation of junction box w/master on/off power switch and MD-HD7 controller. Power feed wire was run from the controller to my electrical/cord reel bay located on the driver's side.

[rewillia]

Photos of the finished product; Boogey Lights' Under Glow surround LEDs. 10-strips in total in various lengths of 3', 4', 8' and 16' sections. Installed using aluminum channel extrusions bolted to the undersides of the belly pans or other sub-structure beneath the coach, then using the supplied diffusers on all completed with RVT silicone'ing of the ends to protect against water intrusion from wheel and road splash.

Note: I elected to go with the single color, soft white LEDs which are dim-able using the controller to match to my existing OEM installed LEDS under the passenger side slides and on the Girard Canopy awnings.

[churd9]

Looks nice