LED Strip Lights - Project

[Irving]

I used this same LED product to do the lights on my corner pantry. I also bought similar lights from Radio Shack that are brighter, BUT, they aren't constructed nearly as well and are just slid into a bulky rubber sheath. Also, the Radio Shack lights were something like $30 for 6 ft, compared to $6 for 16 ft. The Amazon lights are a MUCH better deal, and easier to work with. You can't just cut the Radio Shack lights without completely ruining the water proofing.

Gnihcraes, did you drill holes in the aluminum track to run the zip ties through? Great idea by the way.

In picture #5, you have two zip ties close together at the end of the strip. I might consider tying the wire into a loose knot between those zip ties, so on the off chance that the light is ever dropped or falls, you're not pulling your connections apart. Basically the same thing they do with computer speakers. Great looking project.

EDIT: My idea for these strips, which I'll never do in the place I live currently, is emergency lighting for the house. One of those 2" strips in each living space in the house would be great emergency lighting for power outages. I think even a small 12v battery like this would probably give you light at night for several days. You could use a portable drill battery as well I bet.

[gnihcraes]

I used this same LED product to do the lights on my corner pantry. I also bought similar lights from Radio Shack that are brighter, BUT, they aren't constructed nearly as well and are just slid into a bulky rubber sheath. Also, the Radio Shack lights were something like $30 for 6 ft, compared to $6 for 16 ft. The Amazon lights are a MUCH better deal, and easier to work with. You can't just cut the Radio Shack lights without completely ruining the water proofing.

Gnihcraes, did you drill holes in the aluminum track to run the zip ties through? Great idea by the way.

In picture #5, you have two zip ties close together at the end of the strip. I might consider tying the wire into a loose knot between those zip ties, so on the off chance that the light is ever dropped or falls, you're not pulling your connections apart. Basically the same thing they do with computer speakers. Great looking project.

EDIT: My idea for these strips, which I'll never do in the place I live currently, is emergency lighting for the house. One of those 2" strips in each living space in the house would be great emergency lighting for power outages. I think even a small 12v battery like this would probably give you light at night for several days. You could use a portable drill battery as well I bet.

Maybe that is where I got the idea of the LED strips, sorry if I stole it Irving! I remember the radio shack ones, and looked at them, but same thoughts as you, expensive and can't cut it down. $$

Yes, sticky stuff wasn't working on the aluminum, or anything else really, so I just drilled the holes and zip tied it down every foot. The ends wires are looped back on themselves on one or two, but it seemed to put more pressure on the wires than just zipping them down a couple times.

My friend has uses similar LED lighting for under counter and cove lighting in his new kitchen, on dimmer switches, so they could also be used as emergency lighting type situations if planned correctly. (cove lighting maybe?)

The 18ah battery is good, and there are various options out there. I'm going to try and use the 8ah batteries in my portable solar project, more to come on that. We'll have to compare notes Irving, i think you were doing one also.

[Irving]

The 18ah battery is good, and there are various options out there. I'm going to try and use the 8ah batteries in my portable solar project, more to come on that. We'll have to compare notes Irving, i think you were doing one also.

Yes we will compare notes, as I'd like to build one as well. Also, of course you never stole any idea from me. Preposterous. Back in my 4 wheeling days, I wanted some rock lights under the truck for night wheeling. I think these would be a perfect, low power option for something like that. Thanks for posting up that LED flood light.