gpwpat
Adventurer
Installing LED light strip in RTT
Ok so I cam across a LED light strip at Ikeahttp://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50119407. I studied the quality and after determining that they probably would be sturdy enough to ride inside a RTT I purchased a set. First delema, which was not much at all was to decide which to buy. White or multi-color including white. Multi color it is. my son thought that would be cool as did I and they were both the same price. My wife on the other hand could care less. First order of buisness is to open the package.
Inside you will find 4 10" long strips. these can be plugged in together to make one long strip or you can un them individually. everything in the kit is plug and play. To install to the tent it comes with double sided tape or clips. First I thought I would use the clips with screws. but I then decided to use industrial strength double sided tape. this is Black. not the crappy white doublesided tape. I got it at the hobby shop. They call it servo tape there.
I ran the wire along the pole and attached the wire with nylon ties. Since the pictures were taken, I have put wire loom around the wire to protect it from abrasions. Here is where the wires plug in. I took it apart and screwed the box to the RTT floor and then screwed it back together.
Next I installed the switch. After cutting off the 120V ac to 12v DC transformer I took the switch apart and re routed the wires to exit the same side of the switch. I then servo taped the switch to the edge of the RTT. It sits between the tent side and the matress.
today all these wires are anchored with wire anchors to keep things tight and from catching on something. all this wire from the switch to the ridge pole is tucked in the corner and hidden by the matress. The 12v lead has a plug installed on it and pokes out the flap of canvas at the hinge to plug into a power source. In my case it is a 12v alarm battery that I use to run my tent heater fan. Well that is the install, not much to it. The light strips are incased in polycarbinate and are small enough they should be fine, especially in the padded envirment of the RTT.
Now do they work. You bet.
Now about the Multi color feature. :victory:
So cool. on my power lead I have a switch. the lights will stay on what ever feature or color you last had them on. so I can either use the switch in the tent to turn on/off cycle color. or just hit my kill swich on the outside. The features are the lights will stay on any of the color or flash like a disco or cycle through slowly like a lounge setting.
the colors really bring out a mood when sitting next to your tent listening to Bob Marley while sipping a Margarita.
And the last Question. Is there enough light to read by? You Bet. plenty and easy on the eyes.
Ok so I cam across a LED light strip at Ikeahttp://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50119407. I studied the quality and after determining that they probably would be sturdy enough to ride inside a RTT I purchased a set. First delema, which was not much at all was to decide which to buy. White or multi-color including white. Multi color it is. my son thought that would be cool as did I and they were both the same price. My wife on the other hand could care less. First order of buisness is to open the package.
Inside you will find 4 10" long strips. these can be plugged in together to make one long strip or you can un them individually. everything in the kit is plug and play. To install to the tent it comes with double sided tape or clips. First I thought I would use the clips with screws. but I then decided to use industrial strength double sided tape. this is Black. not the crappy white doublesided tape. I got it at the hobby shop. They call it servo tape there.
I ran the wire along the pole and attached the wire with nylon ties. Since the pictures were taken, I have put wire loom around the wire to protect it from abrasions. Here is where the wires plug in. I took it apart and screwed the box to the RTT floor and then screwed it back together.
Next I installed the switch. After cutting off the 120V ac to 12v DC transformer I took the switch apart and re routed the wires to exit the same side of the switch. I then servo taped the switch to the edge of the RTT. It sits between the tent side and the matress.
today all these wires are anchored with wire anchors to keep things tight and from catching on something. all this wire from the switch to the ridge pole is tucked in the corner and hidden by the matress. The 12v lead has a plug installed on it and pokes out the flap of canvas at the hinge to plug into a power source. In my case it is a 12v alarm battery that I use to run my tent heater fan. Well that is the install, not much to it. The light strips are incased in polycarbinate and are small enough they should be fine, especially in the padded envirment of the RTT.
Now do they work. You bet.
Now about the Multi color feature. :victory:
So cool. on my power lead I have a switch. the lights will stay on what ever feature or color you last had them on. so I can either use the switch in the tent to turn on/off cycle color. or just hit my kill swich on the outside. The features are the lights will stay on any of the color or flash like a disco or cycle through slowly like a lounge setting.
the colors really bring out a mood when sitting next to your tent listening to Bob Marley while sipping a Margarita.
And the last Question. Is there enough light to read by? You Bet. plenty and easy on the eyes.
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having 4 strips is pretty handy being able to evenly spread light inside from the tailgate to the front. Will be funny the first time I rock up at camp and turn on the color cycling mode 
