A novel use of an awning rail as a solar LED light

[Lowlec]

As I’ve got a permanently fixed awning rail on the van and no awning As of yet, time for a bit of ingenuity...
purchased some flexible neon led strip to use as a temp light set up for camping or working outside the van, To work with the fixtures I’ve already got in place. So wired up a dash dimmer from a Vw Bora to an Anderson connector,so the light slides down the rail and plug & play,the light is very bright hence the dimmer!.
an outside dimmable light that stows away in a small bag, all for under £20. @Deaky


The very flexible and waterproof neon strip

Simply slides down the awning rail

The 2nd hand dimmer,and fly lead

 

[Lowlec]

Before and after shots!




Because the light is concealed in the rail,opening and closing the side door is not a problem!


Taken at 10 pm,it lights up the mrs car!

 

[Lowlec]

If you’ve got a victron smart mppt,then you can use the load output as a dusk sensor to switch the light on!....happy days

 

[Deaky]

Before and after shots!

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View attachment 70315
Because the light is concealed in the rail,opening and closing the side door is not a problem!

Class

 

[CaliforniaDreamin]

If you’ve got a victron smart mppt,then you can use the load output as a dusk sensor to switch the light on!....happy days

Can you explain re- using the load op as a sensor?

 

[Lowlec]

Can you explain re- using the load op as a sensor?

If your lighting/lights are connected to the load output terminals of the victron mppt,then in the App menu If you select the streetlight option and switch on at sunset this basically uses the solar panel to gauge when when sunset/sunrise is by the amount of light falling on the panel.The following screenshot example........ allows the lights To be switched on for 3 hours at sunset,All these settings can be adjusted manually to suit your requirements.hope this helps.