7'*18' V-Nose Cargo Trailer Toy Hauler Conversion

[Tommy B]

hey Don I like your canopy led lights. What Kind and where from. Did they provide a channel and how did you affix it to the C.T ? Is there a dimmer switch?

Thanks!

[flboy]

Tommy, Amazon for about $18.00. They are weatherproof and have a sticky back. They fit perfectly right inside the trim groove on my awning rail. Just have to cut and resolder a cable and drill a 1/8 inch hole to pass through the cable and find 12vdc for power. Comes with a remote control and you can change colors and etc.. I like them and can't beat the price for the bling value. :-) You can also make them a white light which has some utility. LoL

I'll edit this later to include an Amazon link. I'll also get a close up pic of where the LED strip fits in the rail.

If you buy some, I'll be happy to solder it all up right.

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[flboy]

Here's the link for the LED's. I'll add pics of the rail and installation up close when I open the awning up later this weekend.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01C7 ... UTF8&psc=1

[Tommy B]

Don, I will be installing the new awning fabric tomorrow. It should be here today. So while I am working on that stuff I was thinking of installing those lights. I could have them here tomorrow. BUT...

On a lot of the reviews, they complained that the sticky tape would not adhere to various surfaces and this was a major problem. It seems like the wind could blow them off in transit. Did you have this problem? I see they are an excellent deal and marked down big time but will they hold up? Your opinion please ASAP. Must order in 1.5 hour if want tomorrow.
Thanks!

Also got the Dometic cooler cover yesterday.

[flboy]

Tommy, the lights when installed are behind the awning when rolled up. They are not going anywhere. They are tight in the rail. I will be home working on the CTC today in the driveway getting ready for the trip next week. If you want, come by and see it. Depending on your awning rail, your mileage may vary.

I will let you know if they hold up. Got to get some time on them. The construction looks no different tham some under cabinet lighting I have in the house for going on 5 years that runs all night 7 days a week.

Btw. I have fasteners for the leds that use screws. I did not need them, but that solves the sticky problem.


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[Tommy B]

Well I ordered them. They will arrive Saturday sometime. Very cool. That was on my to do list and for that price, perfect.

C.t will get some upgrades this weekend. Always a good thing.

I see what you are saying on those lights. Makes sense. Long as the sticky tape works. I wont be done with the awning till noon at the latest as I will get started around 8 am. Any day or time good for you to wire them up? I did not see a 12v male plug for my outlets in the images provided. The cigarette lighter kind. Do we need to splice one in?

Thanks Don. Appreciate your time!

[flboy]

Tommy, I have a 12v connector for you. Stop by on your way home and I'll show you how the LED's install so you can see if your rail is the same. I'll be around all weekend. Just let me know when you need my help. I'll be glad to stop by to assist and solder up the wires that need to be cut to pass through the wall without the connector.


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[Tommy B]

ok. pop in at 5pm with wife on the way home. Thanks!

[flboy]

ok. pop in at 5pm with wife on the way home. Thanks!

I'll be here... see you then.

[flboy]

Not good! Just doing some preventative maintenance and inspections today on the CTC roof. Going to fix this today and use something to coat and protect these connections. I am thinking I'll use the same stuff I use one battery terminals or just some dialectic grease.



First things first. Make the sun go down on the panels.



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[flboy]

deleted duplicate post

[flboy]

This should do it. New aluminum bus bar, coated with battery terminal spray. That should protect and prevent corrosion. I was getting 5A and 18v in the tree filtered light with partial shade. I think that corrosion was hurting the efficiency for sure and eventually would have failed totally.

I'll probably will get 30A or more now depending on battery needs in the direct sun. I have seen >30A before... but mostly ~15 A to 20A because the state of charge is usually pretty good. Running the fridge and etc. overnight doesn't really hit the 345aH (172aH useful) battery bank too hard.

Going to clean the roof and panels this afternoon. It has been a year already, time to inspect seals and etc..



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[McDave]

So, What the He**? Just the moist salt air? That seems like really fast corrosion. Does that occur at your houses? At any rate, looks like you caught that just in time! That looked really ugly. Dissimilar metals can do funny things but I haven't seen that in a sealed location before. Yikes!

McDave

Also curious how much worse the positive (red) side is than the neg.(white) side.

[lrrowe]

This should do it. New aluminum bus bar, coated with battery terminal spray. That should protect and prevent corrosion. I was getting 5A and 18v in the tree filtered light with partial shade. I think that corrosion was hurting the efficiency for sure and eventually would have failed totally.

I'll probably will get 30A or more now depending on battery needs in the direct sun. I have seen >30A before... but mostly ~15 A to 20A because the state of charge is usually pretty good. Running the fridge and etc. overnight doesn't really hit the 345aH (172aH useful) battery bank too hard.

Going to clean the roof and panels this afternoon. It has been a year already, time to inspect seals and etc..



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Don, I am considering doing something like you did for your panels to be mounted to. To a cross member. I have read all the great performance results on the special adhesives and the 3 M tapes. But I cannot convince myself that they will hold up at 65 mph. I know many have great results, but I am just too paranoid. So I will be looking at a method like yours, but the curved top/side of my CarMate requires I fabricate some curved bracket which to me is a challenge.

[Tommy B]

Nice catch before failure. These C.Ts are like boats for Sure. Lots of Preventive Maintenance and up keep it seems. Your rig is complex.

I know how you feel about these but Just for conversation, I really want one. It would really save the trailers life span it would seem. Just curios.

Can you tell me Don, If I did have one of these, would the solar panel put out anything as it is not totally covered. Probably not. But you could mount one on top of the car port and wire a quick T disconnect to the one on the trailer? Just to keep the battery charged.

Hey I can see from work via security camera that my awning fabric has arrived at the front door and it appears to be about 10 feet long. I pretty sure I got the metal weather guard. Cant wait to get home. See you around 5.

Just camp fire talk on the carport. Cant afford it now.