LED strip lights, very impressed!

[Graniterich]

I bought 16 feet of LED lights form Ebay $3.90 shipped. There are 300 on the adhesive strip, and can be cut every three LEDs. I cut about 42" off, and stuck on a thin strip of wood for a test. They are not the cool white(read bluish) color, but a warn white (yellowish) like incandescent bulbs. They are very bright, and only drew 330 milliamps. I plan on using as indirect lighting in cabin, pointing up toward a white roof. I will find other places as well to hide some light. They were bright enough that I looked up a PWM dimmer I almost fell off my chair, for $ 3.30 shipped I bought a in line dongle PWM dimmer, with an RF remote to set light levels on off, etc works up to 45 feet ( I doubt it) I realize I might have wasted three bucks, but after my LED experience, why not? As a back up, I spent about the same on a conventional PWM dimmer controller with knob. All these items come form China, and take a few weeks to arrive.

Think strip of wood, create 1/4 wide, 1/8 deep grove the length of said strip. Stick LED's in there, fill with some epoxy, almost indestructible strip lighting! Maybe under trailer door pointing at angle towards the ground?

I also realize that this huge financial unexpected outlay of cash has set back my build by a 12 pack of Keystone light, but sacrifices must by made.

[coyote]

Great! I've got the same lights, one set underneath and one set in a 4' square over the head end of the interior. I love them. The adhisive backing did not hold them to the ceiling (Okla. 100 degree weather? ) I got a couple sets of small,cheap adel clips from H.F. No problem. You're right, the cost is such, that even if they fail, just change them out! (1 year so far, and I have an extra set if needed) Coyote

[mgb4tim]

All these items come form China, and take a few weeks to arrive.

I've found that there are US sellers that aren't much more expensive than the Chinese sellers. Sometimes the extra dollar is worth foregoing the wait. Be prepared to deal with that the adhesive tape being is less than stellar.

[Graniterich]

Hence the epoxy idea

[pinballtom]

this huge financial unexpected outlay of cash has set back my build by a 12 pack of Keystone light, but sacrifices must by made.

OH NO not the Keystone Light!!
cheers tom

[absolutsnwbrdr]

I would strongly suggest NOT epoxying the LED strips into the wood channel. Eventually you will have to replace them. Whether its 6 months from now, or 2 years from now. Trust me.

I've used the ebay LED strips on a few builds, and yes they are inexpensive, but they are inexpensive for a reason. The entire strip wont fail, but some LED's will start to fade, and will eventually need to replace the strip. With that said, I'll continue to use them because they're awesome! But just plan ahead.

[tac422]

What are you guys using for a power supply for the LED's ?
Thanks !

[Graniterich]

Just normal 12v.
The epoxy plan was using a small strip of wood screwed on to a permanent surface, upon failure you replace the whole strip, cost under couple bucks.

[coyote]

On mine, the inside set is 12 volt, the outside is 110. Each set came with an adapter to enable use either way. And I am electrically challenged. Coyote

[Mike46]

Are these bright enough to replace a dome light or reading light, if a few feet were coiled into a circle or doubled back and forth a few times? I'm having my trailer panels routed out on a CNC, I could easily add a few "light fixtures", a circle of plywood with a coil cut into it, that I could wire and screw to the interior of my cabin. I see on Ebay that the strip may not coil in the direction I have in mind, but maybe a few strips back and forth would produce a concentrated light?

[tac422]

Don't you have to add a resister if you are using "raw" LED's and wiring them yourself ?

I cut about 42" off, and stuck on a thin strip of wood for a test.

Like this thread indicates ...

viewtopic.php?f=30&t=26715

[Graniterich]

No, it is all self contained. They can be cut every three LEDs, and have a pad for soldering on wires. If you have any experience at all with soldering you will be fine! I am in the process of making a very small light for under my side shelf up front. I will post some pictures soon.

[Graniterich]

Here is my under shelf mini light, about two and a half inches long, total cost was four cents

[Mike46]

Graniterich, what Ebay seller did you use?

Any opinion on my question above?

[Graniterich]

Mike46, they are definitely bright enough, although they are coiled like an old reel to reel tape, about quarter inch wide. Bending that way wouldn't be easily done. Any application that allows for straight lines would be best. In my last picture I used three, you could have nine (three strips of three) in a 2.5 x 2.5 inch area. EBay user was newyork_lin. Bought some green and red ones last night for the holidays with dimmer remote for eleven dollars