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Thread: LED Light Strips (How to use).

  1. #1
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    Default LED Light Strips (How to use).

    I very recently had a less than satisfactory situation with attempting to use some plastic, light diffusing material to (hopefully) spread the illumination of my Puck Light (litho backlighting). I will get that worked out, but am highly interested in learning about the usage of LED Strip Lights.

    I have searched the Internet, and was able to find quite a bit of info on them - but nothing, really, regarding HOW to install for lithophanes. I could be wrong, but seem to think that they are not given for being used with stand-alone, flat litho panels. So, if their advantage would be within using them inside of an enclosure, what would be the best way to do that? Would they be stripped along the back, side, bottom - or directly on the reverse side of the litho, itself? How many of the lights should be used to give nice illumination to, say, a box housing an 8"x10" litho?

    Answers to those questions (and any other info that you would like to share) would be most deeply appreciated.

    Advanced thanks.

    Blessings,
    Nathan
    ~ Blessings ~
    Nathan

  2. #2
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    This is how I have been doing the boxes. I run the light strips about 1/2" back from where the litho panel will sit. This set up is using a battery pack for the power source but can easily be done with a 12 volt power adapter. I also line the inside with reflective tape.
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  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by fwharris View Post
    This is how I have been doing the boxes. I run the light strips about 1/2" back from where the litho panel will sit. This set up is using a battery pack for the power source but can easily be done with a 12 volt power adapter. I also line the inside with reflective tape.
    FW (are you Floyd?), I am deeply endeared to you, for this.

    I won't stop making the 'Litho On Stand' type of projects, because i really like them, too. But the even illuminative effect, provided by the 'encased' strip lighting is just what I was looking for, also. Love your project and, now, I can't WAIT to get ahold of the necessary items I will need.

    THANKS.
    Last edited by NLAlston; 05-17-2015 at 05:01 PM. Reason: Typo
    ~ Blessings ~
    Nathan

  4. #4
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    FW, - not trying to take up all of your time , but I have two more questions for you.

    1). How deep do you, typically, make your boxes for 8"x10" lithos? I know you said that you use a distance of 1/2" behind the litho, to install your strip lights, and I reasonably sure that this distance does not change. But I just wondered about the depth of your boxes.

    2). Are there wattage differences for The LED Strip Lights, and (if so) which wattage should I seek to buy?
    ~ Blessings ~
    Nathan

  5. #5
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    I too have a question for FW... how would the lights work if placed in a rabbit cut on a horizontal cut facing the back of the litho? HOpe that makes cents. lol

  6. #6
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    As far as 2). Leds have very low draw. Strips of 3528 single color have a draw of .08 watts per led. Tri color such as the 5050 draw .24 watts per led. The numbers 3828, 5050 are sizes which are measured in milimeters. When cutting strip lights keep in mind you must cut at the cut points, which you will see after every three leds. Leds are diodes with means power can only flow thru in one direction only. If you put power to them backwards they will not light and can be damaged from this. They are well marked with a + or - to indicate direction. Tri color are the same but have three + and one - and are normally run off a controller. I use both for many projects and use an old computor power supplies with a slight wiring change to feed me 12 volt power, works great, but thats another tale.

  7. #7
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    Canemaker that should work fine if you use diffussing of some sort as the leds will give you bright spots.
    They are a bit intense. They come with two sided tape on them to install. If the tape does not want to behave and do as should(stick). I grab a hot melt glue gun.

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by NLAlston View Post
    FW (are you Floyd?), I am deeply endeared to you, for this.

    I won't stop making the 'Litho On Stand' type of projects, because i really like them, too. But the even illuminative effect, provided by the 'encased' strip lighting is just what I was looking for, also. Love your project and, now, I can't WAIT to get ahold of the necessary items I will need.

    THANKS.
    Yes I am Floyd! Plus a few others but I will not get into that!
    RingNeckBlues
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  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by NLAlston View Post
    FW, - not trying to take up all of your time , but I have two more questions for you.

    1). How deep do you, typically, make your boxes for 8"x10" lithos? I know you said that you use a distance of 1/2" behind the litho, to install your strip lights, and I reasonably sure that this distance does not change. But I just wondered about the depth of your boxes.

    2). Are there wattage differences for The LED Strip Lights, and (if so) which wattage should I seek to buy?
    Mugsowner took care of #2! way better than I could explain it.

    For the box shown it was between 3 - 4" because of inclosing the battery pack. With using a 120 V to 12 V power source you could probably go with between 1 - 2" depending on the type of switch you use.

    Putting the light strip in a rabbit cut would work very well. I would still do it on the box side though to keep from the direct light to the litho surface. Adding the foil tape give a strong reflective surface for the light.

    You do have to be careful to avoid sharp bends with the light strip as it might break the thin wire connecting the circuit.
    RingNeckBlues
    My patterns on the Depot
    DC-INSERT It Just Sucks!

    Proven to out perform all others!
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    All patterns and projects that I share on the CarveWright forum are for your personal carving purpose. They are not to be shared, sold or posted on any other web site without permission from RingNeckBlues Designs.

  10. #10
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    I see Floyd noticed they do not like sharp bends. There are waterproof and non waterproof out there to get your hands on. The non water proof are a bit cheaper, but are also less forgiving to mishanding. Waterproof on the other hand are sealed in silicone to protect them from the world a touch, which also helps in the bending do to the thicker rubber like coat.

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