LED Lighting

[slabman]

Rain today, so I finally got around to do some long-awaited lighting projects. First was adding a strip light to the laundry area, incorporating a mag switch while tying into the nearby fuse panel in the bath. Second project was a strip light in the closet, mounted inside the sliding door track, tying into the existing ceiling light.

Now I am able to properly select a pink shirt from a purple one.... Although I know someone will still tell me I did it all wrong.

[JohnT]

The DW likes it.
So I guess I got another project to work on.

[slabman]

Sorry, John. Guess you have nothing else to do?

[PDR John]

Those rolls come in pretty handy.

Looks good.

[SWag]

Thanks Slabman, nice job. I'll add these to my list of things to do.

[Deek]

PDR John -

I know you have researched this question extensively as you always do -- which are the best LED strips to get and where is the best place to get them? I am dizzy from all the research I have tried to do to get the best ones and I still am in a quandry about the available choices. I know you will have the correct answers about both nside and outside applications.

Thanks.

Deek

[PDR John]

I prefer the 5050 size LEDs.

I've ordered these for a lot of my latest projects. All outside were waterproof.

5M Waterproof 3528 5050 5630 LED Flexible Strip Light Tape Roll Warm Cool White | eBay

They all survived the trip to Nappannee and back, with lots of snow and salt.

Speaking of which; I can now, more then ever, recommend T9 Boeshield and salt away.

After getting back home with the coach covered in salt spray (that sat on there the whole 2 weeks), I spayed it all down with salt away. Rinsed off with fresh water and everything is as clean as it was before.

[drdonny]

Where do you get the metal channel to install lights in?

[mbisson]

I do have another question. Is there a tutorial somewhere on how to use these rolls? How to use different lengths and where do you get power from? Other lights?

[PDR John]

There is no medal channel. The lights are in a ribbon form, with a stick backside.

On all of mine outside are further glued down using windshield urethane.

[slabman]

Answers to a couple questions.
1. Channels. You can Google for something like "1/2 in. Rope light channel." These strips are typically 1/2 in. Wide and will fit in there perfectly. I have seen a channel available with a clear plastic cover...should be good for keeping most water out when mounting under a coach. Also, the adhesive backing on these strips doesn't really hold long term, depending on your application.

2. Weatherproofing. These strips will be rated for degrees of waterproofing. I believe most are IP 65, meaning they are moisture resistant. I had some under my tiki hut in Florida and the humidity during the summer momths rendered them inoperative. I needed something like IP67, I believe. So always check the ratings.

3. Power. The most common strips run on 12 VDC...yes the same stuff that operates your lights in the coach. You can tie them directly to any DC circuit, being carefull to get the polarity correct. No biggie if you screw up....just reverse the leads. While using a 12 V feed, strips are limited to 16.4ft, but they now have 24V strips, meaning you can run a 32.8 ft. Strip on one power source.

Strips will come with a series of cut points, so you can cut them to fit within a few inches. Using a small gage wire, you can solder the 2wires to the strips or there are connectors available to make the job easier. You can buy straight one color lights or RGB strips, allowing you to change colors with a remote. Many strips come in a kit, providing the light strip, a remote and a controller. I use them for "mood lighting" under my tiki hut and get a lot of compliments.

For more info, check out some of the tutorials available on YouTube.

[Mr_D]

The rolls I bought on Amazon could be cut every three LED's. I used small gauge speaker wire and soldered it directly to the contact points. Worked out well, wife hates the normal LED colors like cool and natural. I bought warm white and she hasn't even noticed the change.