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volvik · 05-07-2014, 04:52 PM

I crawled underneath the coach today to assess the best place for install the length of LED when it arrives. It seems the best spot on my Southwind is a piece of section of sheet metal that hangs straight down about 12" an is pretty much the entire length of the wheel base. It is about 2' inside of the outside of the coach but I'm sure that doesn't matter.

The plan is to screw a drywall J channel onto this length which will leave me a clean surface to pull off the tape on the back of the LED strip and stick it on.

I plan to tie the power to the under step light which has an easily accessible ground screw and positive spade terminal.

So that said, are we facing the LED's down to the ground or outwards to the side?

Any feedback on my plan is always appreciated....

Ron

novi2some · 05-07-2014, 06:11 PM

I believe by what you described is the heat shield to keep the exhaust heat off the propane tank. On my 2010 Bounder, this shield broke off about 2/3rd of the length. This shield was just welded on the edge of the shield to the frame web wall. This is a bad design. The few edge welds just fatigue and failed. I was traveling down I75 to Florida when it broke and dragged on the road. I finally attached it back to the frame with galvanized metal strips from Lowes. I used existing holes in the frame web wall and drilled holes in the shield. Check yours out.

volvik · 05-07-2014, 07:57 PM

Yes that makes sense what it would be....I'll have a check to see it's security

what next · 05-07-2014, 08:33 PM

I guess your idea of attaching them to heat shield would work. I have had to reattach my heat shield also. I will being doing this also this summer, I was thinking of putting then on the 1" iron channel that is at the bottom of cargo bay doors, pointing down. I was going to come off the 12 volt plugin located next to outdoor tv plug in. That way the remote receiver would be inside that compartment , then I would have a splitter and run one line forward and one back. I think I will use cable tie mounts Google Image Result for
I know I will have to clean mounting points and maybe use some epoxy or silicone adhesive to hold them in place. I would like to put some on the awning also, I don't use the wind sensor was thinking about use that those wires for power somehow.

BillJinOR · 05-07-2014, 08:44 PM

Not saying where to mount .but I saw a very clean install using a bead of silicone and pressing the strip into that .. A much more secure mounting IMO than the weak adhesive some of these lights come with. Especially in the harsh undercarriage environment

Brian W · 05-07-2014, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillJinOR

Not saying where to mount .but I saw a very clean install using a bead of silicone and pressing the strip into that .. A much more secure mounting IMO than the weak adhesive some of these lights come with. Especially in the harsh undercarriage environment

I used the silicone method and it works great. I didn't trust the tape at all. The key with the silicone is to wait until it tacks up, then press light strip on to silicone bead.

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volvik · 05-07-2014, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian W

I used the silicone method and it works great. I didn't trust the tape at all. The key with the silicone is to wait until it tacks up, then press light strip on to silicone bead.

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Brian, did you use the clear RTV silicone for the adhesive? I'll have a look for that 1" channel you mentioned, mine is on a Ford Chassis but if you're referring to the under bin area it should be the same regardless of the chassis

I had a good look for power and I think I might just disconnect the under step light spade terminal, which is just inches from the light, and retro fit a double spade terminal (piggy back style) and then use that to power the led strip and attach the ground wire to the same ground screw that is also beside the under step light.

In doing so the led strip will come on with the porch light and also when the steps are initially activated.

Brian W · 05-07-2014, 10:01 PM

I mounted mine to the chassis rail and used black silicone to match the rail color.

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volvik · 05-08-2014, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian W

I mounted mine to the chassis rail and used black silicone to match the rail color.

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So that ends up about 2-3' in from the side Brian?

PanJH · 05-08-2014, 06:26 AM

I agree that the sticky tape on the lights will probably not be adequate. I put some up in our pool area and they fell down within 24 hours. I ended up putting them up with contact adhesive. When I put the string under the motorhome, I'll either use contact cement or silicone too.

Brian W · 05-08-2014, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by volvik

So that ends up about 2-3' in from the side Brian?

I would say that's about right. Here is the result on one side that was taken before it got dark. Mine are programmable and I can select from several colors.