Hard core (Hardkorr lighting)

[Dave Hansford]

Sorry: I screwed up the title of this post and now I don’t know how to fix it....

Anyway... I got some Hardkorr LED camping lights to go on our awning. They’re dimmable, which I like, and you can select an orange beam which they claim deters insects. Everything seems well-made (everything, including the connectors, is rated waterproof), and they come with an impressive warranty.

The lights - and dimmer switches - come with clips so you can just stick them to your awning rafters or legs. The whole shooting match is powered from a 12v socket in the cargo area.

But when it’s all said and done, they take a long time to set up - lots of connections and cable routing - and I was left wondering why I didn’t just buy a couple of rechargeable LED lanterns...

I guess if you were staying at a campsite over several days, and the vehicle wasn’t going to be moving, these lights would be just fine, but it all seems like too much fuss for a barbecue or an overnighter.

 

[Ratbag]

Magic happens ...

 

[idw]

Got a similar kit, I usually just leave two strips plugged in to a dimmer and extension cord thrown in a bag, magnetically clip to the roof rack. Removes the whole setup bs.

 

[temmah]

I have a similar simple setup I did my self, just bought a light strip and just wire it to a second battery the runs my other gear. I just used 3m tape to stick to the awning and it stays in place. But would be good to have orange lights.

 

[Dave Hansford]

Yeah... I was just going to stick an LED tape along the awning cassette, but because it stays on the car 24/7, I couldn’t imagine how I’d keep water out of the connectors...

 

[SquiresSquire]

Yeah... I was just going to stick an LED tape along the awning cassette, but because it stays on the car 24/7, I couldn’t imagine how I’d keep water out of the connectors...

I stuck mine along the cassette, the inside of the awning cover is pretty waterproof usually, and I used a Deutsch connector

 

[temmah]

I stuck mine to the awning base (cassette?) and just unplug it then i roll up my awning. but the awning is permanent.

@Dave Hansford I do like how you can position the lights and dim them etc.

 

[scalman]

why they look not so bright on lighting around ?

 

[ABFoz]

why they look not so bright on lighting around ?

They're probably good as auxiliaries. They still do better than the red LED of my headlamp which I use when everything around is pitch black, haha.

 

[Suby626]

Most likely LED lanterns may have been a good bet from the start - but now you have this nice set up for when you will be somewhere for more than a day or two. But its good to be in your position knowing the hardkorr works when set up properly because now you have a headache out of the way. Provided you enjoy it - which from the pics i would enjoy it!