Community Forums

brobox · 07-18-2014, 03:33 PM

Many have stated that the factory installed Girard awning LED's are too bright. Has anyone tried anything like this for dimming the factory LED's?
12V RF Wireless Remote Switch Controller Dimmer for Mini LED Strip Light S | eBay

I am going to check tomorrow and see if I can see how the LED's are wired and if this would work.

taraf · 07-18-2014, 07:43 PM

Chuck, I'm building my own controller that will dim the leds and other lights using exisiting wiring. I don't want another remote floating around. It would be nice if they gave us dimming on all the switches though.

Tom
2014 Anthem 44DLQ

brobox · 07-18-2014, 08:15 PM

It would be nice if we had dimming on all switches. Have you looked at the awning wiring yet and can a remote like this be connected in line? The remote I would mount in the basement next to the awning remote.

What type of controller are you building?

taraf · 07-19-2014, 08:05 AM

The controller I'm building will allow me to dim/on/off any of the lights/devices that are controlled from the spyder panel using the existing switches and no running of wires. You can find the awning lights wire, it will be the orange one behind fuse 59.

Tom
2014 Anthem 44DLQ

Curtisgeiger · 07-19-2014, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by taraf

The controller I'm building will allow me to dim/on/off any of the lights/devices that are controlled from the spyder panel using the existing switches and no running of wires. You can find the awning lights wire, it will be the orange one behind fuse 59.

Tom

2014 Anthem 44DLQ

So what button will you push to actually dim the lights?

Curt

Sent from my iPhone

taraf · 07-19-2014, 10:02 AM

Curt,
To dim the lights you will use the same button, so, for example, when you turn the light on and you want to dim it, just turn it off then on again within 1 second and it will drop to the next dim level. There will be 5 dim levels, 100%, 80%, 60%, etc. This way you use the existing switches and get the dimming you want, and it remembers the last dim setting you had. The module will fit right behind the spyder panel.

Tom
2014 Anthem 44DLQ

brobox · 07-19-2014, 10:21 AM

I checked the light wiring this morning and I can see no reason the above dimmer would not work. The awning LED wiring is easily accessible and the dimmer transmitter would tuck up nicely inside of the awning housing. Wrapping it with some rescue tape would help waterproof it.

I will order one and install it with spade connectors. If it doesn't work, easy to remove the transmitter and plug the light wires back in without re-splice any wires.

While I was up there, I took Dusty56 suggestion to silicone both ends of the LED lights. There is about 2 inches of room at the rear for movement. At 70 MPH and I can see where that could cause the LED's to fail. I used brown caulking and it doesn't even show. I also noticed that the rear awning box was not sealed and a blue light was shinning through. The one in the photo is sealed and the rear one is now as well. Glad I got up there this morning.

voltdoc · 07-19-2014, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by taraf

Curt,
To dim the lights you will use the same button, so, for example, when you turn the light on and you want to dim it, just turn it off then on again within 1 second and it will drop to the next dim level. There will be 5 dim levels, 100%, 80%, 60%, etc. This way you use the existing switches and get the dimming you want, and it remembers the last dim setting you had. The module will fit right behind the spyder panel.

Tom
2014 Anthem 44DLQ

Sounds good Tom, can you share the details of your design with us? I have other lighting circuits I'd like to dim (like the kitchen counter), but also don't want any more remotes.

Thanks, Rob

Curtisgeiger · 07-19-2014, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by taraf

Curt,

To dim the lights you will use the same button, so, for example, when you turn the light on and you want to dim it, just turn it off then on again within 1 second and it will drop to the next dim level. There will be 5 dim levels, 100%, 80%, 60%, etc. This way you use the existing switches and get the dimming you want, and it remembers the last dim setting you had. The module will fit right behind the spyder panel.

Tom

2014 Anthem 44DLQ

Tom

Would like to know more about this once installed and tested in your coach.

Would like to able to dim a number of lights including the awning lights.

Thanks

Curt

Sent from my iPhone

Whitewater18 · 07-19-2014, 07:52 PM

Dimming can also be accomplished by reprogramming the spyder Can Bus matrix. This would require Firefly to get involved or give out info. So far my initial contact hasn't been all that successful on get info to control other aspects of the Spyder Can Bus.

brobox · 07-19-2014, 09:47 PM

Joe, I also found Firefly a little secretive when I wanted my shades re-programmed so they all didn't go up or down at the same time. There is only so much they will consider doing after a coach has been built. JMO.

I orderd a couple of the dimmers today since I haven't seen anything posted that was working or had been tried.

taraf · 07-20-2014, 07:16 AM

Sure, I'll post the results once I finish building the circuit and installed and tested.

Tom
2014 Anthem 44DLQ

brobox · 07-20-2014, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by taraf

Sure, I'll post the results once I finish building the circuit and installed and tested.

Tom
2014 Anthem 44DLQ

I will look forward to seeing that.

voltdoc · 07-28-2014, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whitewater18

Dimming can also be accomplished by reprogramming the spyder Can Bus matrix. This would require Firefly to get involved or give out info. So far my initial contact hasn't been all that successful on get info to control other aspects of the Spyder Can Bus.

Talked to Leon Bontrager at Firefly a few weeks back. The CAN bus for the Spyder panel is supposedly using the RV-C protocol.

According to Leon there are different versions of the Spyder panels that have different capabilities.

Also according to Leon, Firefly primarily deals with OEM's but will sometimes work with retail customers. I asked for a lighting only system that could be controlled from a tablet and he gave me pricing of about $1200 for the hardware and $400 for the install. Unfortunately it won't really do what I want (lighting "scenes", thermostat control and access from anywhere via the web).

Silverleaf does some RV-C work (also OEM) and has some basic control apps available, at least for Android. Has anyone talked to them? I'm sure there is a lot more to it, but that "network" port on the Spyder panel must have some useful purpose.

Rob