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5 Meter LED String Info

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rlborger(at)mac.com
Guest

Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2013 11:46 am Post subject: 5 Meter LED String Info

Friends,



Last month I ordered a 5 meter string of white LEDs ($9.25), a power pack/dimmer unit ($2.97) and a pack of 4 extra connectors ($6.50) on Amazon.  Needless to say, they shipped from China and they took about 2 1/2 weeks to arrive here.  The LED string is supposed to be weatherproof and it has an adhesive backing with peel-off cover/protector.  One end is provided with  red/black pigtails for connection to the power pack/dimmer:

[img]cid:9B90AA56-E1A9-4421-B443-B9C6EF7931C1[/img]

The string may be cut to length every three LEDs.  You can see the scissor symbols where cutting is permitted.  Also available are connectors to attach to the end of the cut-off section of string to allow them to be used.  I have a pack of those connectors on order but they have not arrived yet.

[img]cid:852CB291-24D7-4AF8-AC41-9D5CC170FFF3[/img]

The connection to the power pack/dimmer is simple and I connected the power pack to my power supply for testing.  The power pack/dimmer is for use with 12v-28v DC.  I set my power supply to 12v to check it out.  With the power pack/dimmer set to minimum power there was a surprising output of light with a current draw of 0.1A.

[img]cid:C86145EA-4747-4C2B-B3D3-14592AEA7C56[/img]

With the dimmer turned to max brightness the light output was impressive and only 1.5A of current draw.

[img]cid:3624743C-5A0D-4E14-B0BA-CC399BEA0C32[/img]

My initial plans for the string were to backlight the fuel sight gage which I believe will work quite well.  But that will only take about 1 - 1.5 meters of string.  I�m thinking about running the remainder inside the center tunnel of the Europa for lighting when I�m working inside there.  I think my biggest problem will be mounting that funky, big power pack/dimmer in an unobtrusive location.

These LED strings are available in single color red, green or blue sets as well as white.   They are also available in multi-color LED�s with programmable power supply to do visually interesting things with the string.  I haven�t gotten up the courage to tackle the multi-color string yet.  And the prices are very affordable for the tinkerer.

The mind boggles at the potential interior and exterior uses of these lights!

Blue skies & tailwinds,Bob BorgerEuropa XS Tri, Rotax 914, Airmaster C/S Prop.Little Toot Sport Biplane, Lycoming Thunderbolt AEIO-320 EXP3705 Lynchburg Dr.Corinth, TX  76208-5331Cel: 817-992-1117rlborger(at)mac.com (rlborger(at)mac.com)

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chris Sinfield

Joined: 28 Nov 2006
Posts: 270
Location: Sydney Australia

Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2013 12:12 pm Post subject: Re: 5 Meter LED String Info

I am tinkering with the same idea but will use the smaller dimmer from aircraft spruce.. Saved money on the lights and will use it to spend on the dimmer.

Cris

rlborger(at)mac.com
Guest

Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2013 12:28 pm Post subject: 5 Meter LED String Info

Chris,



Which dimmer from ACS?  Can you give a link or P/N?



Thanks,

Bob



On Dec 15, 2013, at 2:12 PM, chris Sinfield <chris_sinfield(at)yahoo.com.au> wrote:






I am tinkering with the same idea but will use the smaller dimmer from aircraft spruce.. Saved money on the lights and will use it to spend on the dimmer.

Cris

glastar(at)gmx.net
Guest

Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2013 2:30 pm Post subject: 5 Meter LED String Info

Bob,



that is what is lighting up my new house, impressive the white strip 

gives around 1900 lm/m the load being 18W/m



The RGBW is used as well however stays mostly white



The pool is on the plan for next year with RGB fully enclosed in that 

silicon tube you show. There are ample differences in the kind you can 

buy (quality etc.)



Cheers Werner



do not archive



 	  Quote: 	
		   The mind boggles at the potential interior and exterior uses of these

 lights!

nuckolls.bob(at)aeroelect
Guest

Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2013 2:33 pm Post subject: 5 Meter LED String Info

At 01:46 PM 12/15/2013, you wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  Friends,



Last month I ordered a 5 meter string of white LEDs ($9.25), a power 

pack/dimmer unit ($2.97) and a pack of 4 extra connectors ($6.50) on 

Amazon.  Needless to say, they shipped from China and they took 

about 2 1/2 weeks to arrive here.  The LED string is supposed to be 

weatherproof and it has an adhesive backing with peel-off 

cover/protector.  One end is provided with  red/black pigtails for 

connection to the power pack/dimmer:


	


   This is the same class of lighting strip I mentioned

   about a year ago. I'm using these for under the cabinet,

   over the counter lighting in the kitchen. I'll be using

   them for general room illumination in the upgraded

   kitchen and a bathroom project.



   Eric has a dimmer suited to these lights in airplanes.



http://tinyurl.com/mmuvz7z



   His design allows customizing min-max voltage

   to accommodate the unique dimming nature of

   series-string leds. Your max dim is about 7

   volts while max bright is full bore.



   I'm planning on putting segments of these strips

   in polycarbonate tubing for gee-whiz and general

   work light on Dr. Dee and Son Zach's cotton candy

   and shaved ice concessions.



   These are exceedingly versatile products. The

   only shortcoming I've identified so far is the

   grade of peel-n-stick adhesive supplied. DOES

   NOT stay put with temperature effects outdoors

   and in vehicles. Get some 3M mounting tape of

   appropriate width and use it to attach these

   strips down in a high temperature environment.





   Bob . . .

ransman

Joined: 08 Aug 2008
Posts: 8
Location: Sweden

Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2013 4:47 pm Post subject: 5 Meter LED String Info

Robert Borger skrev 2013-12-15 20:46:

 	  Quote: 	
		   le the multi-color string yet.  And the prices are very affordable for 

 the tinkerer.



 The mind boggles at the potential interior and exterior uses of these 

 lights!

These are very nice things to play with indeed.
	


The weak point is the cheapy dimmer that is very noisy (electrically) if 

you are going to use it in the aircraft.

There are better ways to control these strings.

I am going to make some "ultralight" versions with  non-weatherproof and 

spray with a plastic film used on circuit boards.

You should try playing with the multicolor and start with a cheap 

controller it's no more than three slings together.

My wife loves it! 5 meters in the bathroom and shower with a cheap and 

simple controller "making waves" with colors.

You get all from slow ambient-hypno-color-fading to total 

alien-disco-flashing!



Cheers from



Sauli

_________________
"Cum propris suis alis volat"
He flies with his own wings

donjohnston

Joined: 13 Dec 2009
Posts: 231

Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2013 6:23 pm Post subject: Re: 5 Meter LED String Info

This looks similar to the products that I've been getting from superbrightleds.com (They're located in St. Louis and I typically get the products within two or three days. )



I'm using a strip in my glareshield with one of Eric's dimmers.

DPizza

Joined: 26 Dec 2012
Posts: 1

Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2013 11:50 pm Post subject: 5 Meter LED String Info

nuckolls.bob(at)aeroelect
Guest

Posted: Mon Dec 16, 2013 7:04 am Post subject: 5 Meter LED String Info

At 06:46 PM 12/15/2013, you wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  



>The mind boggles at the potential interior and exterior uses of these lights!

These are very nice things to play with indeed.

The weak point is the cheapy dimmer that is very noisy 

(electrically) if you are going to use it in the aircraft.

There are better ways to control these strings.


	


  Eric's dimmer that I cited earlier is a linear

  regulator . . . LM317 based. It's not a noise

  generator. If you want to go one step further

  up the DIY ladder, you can craft your own dimmer

  from parts readily available at RadioShack and

  others.



  Don't let logistics of acquisition dry

  up your creative juices.



   Bob . . .

ransman

Joined: 08 Aug 2008
Posts: 8
Location: Sweden

Posted: Mon Dec 16, 2013 7:32 am Post subject: 5 Meter LED String Info

Robert L. Nuckolls, III skrev 2013-12-16 16:03:

 	  Quote: 	
		   

 <nuckolls.bob(at)aeroelectric.com>



 At 06:46 PM 12/15/2013, you wrote:

> 

> <sauli.aalto(at)gmail.com>

>

>> The mind boggles at the potential interior and exterior uses of 

>> these lights!

> These are very nice things to play with indeed.

> The weak point is the cheapy dimmer that is very noisy (electrically) 

> if you are going to use it in the aircraft.

> There are better ways to control these strings.



  Eric's dimmer that I cited earlier is a linear

  regulator . . . LM317 based. It's not a noise

  generator. If you want to go one step further

  up the DIY ladder, you can craft your own dimmer

  from parts readily available at RadioShack and

  others.



  Don't let logistics of acquisition dry

  up your creative juices.



   Bob . . .



I meant the cheap (almost free.. 1 - 2 $) stuff things. But they are 
	


nice to start playing with.

The LM317 is a very nice analog circuit for LED:s!  And one more thing 

is LM317 will not have

is that annoying flickering that especially comes with simple switched 

circuits.

The best way is to just rig up some stuff and play with it before 

putting it into a plane.



 >> found a nice small thing on ebay 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/LM317-DC-In-5-24V-Out-1-5-15V-Volt-Regulator-Converter-/121173879393?pt=AU_B_I_Electrical_Test_Equipment&hash=item1c3686aa61



Enjoy!



//// Sauli

_________________
"Cum propris suis alis volat"
He flies with his own wings

rlborger(at)mac.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Dec 16, 2013 7:43 am Post subject: 5 Meter LED String Info

Bob,



I have one of Eric�s dimmers on order.  I selected it for the reason you state, lower noise potential than a PWM dimmer.



I�m not quite ready to start crafting electro-goodies myself yet, but would like to get there once all aircraft have been built and are flying.



Blue skies & tailwinds,

Bob Borger

Europa XS Tri, Rotax 914, Airmaster C/S Prop (50 hrs).

Little Toot Sport Biplane, Lycoming Thunderbolt AEIO-320 EXP

3705 Lynchburg Dr.

Corinth, TX  76208-5331

Cel: 817-992-1117

rlborger(at)mac.com



On Dec 16, 2013, at 9:03 AM, Robert L. Nuckolls, III <nuckolls.bob(at)aeroelectric.com> wrote:






At 06:46 PM 12/15/2013, you wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   

 

> The mind boggles at the potential interior and exterior uses of these lights!

 These are very nice things to play with indeed.

 The weak point is the cheapy dimmer that is very noisy (electrically) if you are going to use it in the aircraft.

 There are better ways to control these strings.


	


Eric's dimmer that I cited earlier is a linear

regulator . . . LM317 based. It's not a noise

generator. If you want to go one step further

up the DIY ladder, you can craft your own dimmer

from parts readily available at RadioShack and

others.



Don't let logistics of acquisition dry

up your creative juices.



 Bob . . .

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