LED Strip Lighting

[Davie_GLA]

Hi all.

Can anyone tell me if they use the below product or something similar? It's motion activated LED light strip but the video shows it installed in individual, cut strips but still activating.

It looks like it need a permanent power source via USB so can't really see how it can be installed in the way it's pictured. Aware this is a cheap chinese version but it's just for reference.

My use case would be to light a dark path to my shed, use under stairs / in cupboards etc.

https://www.gearbest.com/smart-bulb/pp_00984483519...

[hyphen]

I would go with a led strip and a proper PIR sensor.

[CAPP0]

If you don't mind a quick hijack, OP, whilst we're on this topic - can anyone recommend the brightest LED strip you can get hold of please? Required to replace the under-cabinet lights in my kitchen. The ones I originally installed weren't all that bright, and have failed now anyway. I need to be able to cut & join, via cables which are already run, as the strip traverses a few cabinets and a window.

Alternatively I guess I can double up.

[Davie_GLA]

CAPP0 said:

If you don't mind a quick hijack, OP, whilst we're on this topic - can anyone recommend the brightest LED strip you can get hold of please? Required to replace the under-cabinet lights in my kitchen. The ones I originally installed weren't all that bright, and have failed now anyway. I need to be able to cut & join, via cables which are already run, as the strip traverses a few cabinets and a window.

Alternatively I guess I can double up.

Not at all, interested in this also as i'm new to all this and wondering how i can cut and join to give the appearance of "Floating" lights.

[CAPP0]

Davie_GLA said:

CAPP0 said:

If you don't mind a quick hijack, OP, whilst we're on this topic - can anyone recommend the brightest LED strip you can get hold of please? Required to replace the under-cabinet lights in my kitchen. The ones I originally installed weren't all that bright, and have failed now anyway. I need to be able to cut & join, via cables which are already run, as the strip traverses a few cabinets and a window.

Alternatively I guess I can double up.

Not at all, interested in this also as i'm new to all this and wondering how i can cut and join to give the appearance of "Floating" lights.

The ones I've used before have points marked along the length where you can cut, and then solder lightweight cable to the connectors provided at those points to bridge the gaps.

[Davie_GLA]

CAPP0 said:

The ones I've used before have points marked along the length where you can cut, and then solder lightweight cable to the connectors provided at those points to bridge the gaps.

Hmm. Ii'm paranoid about heat / fire. #frankenstein.

Do you sheath the wires after? I@m also shoite at soldering.

[CAPP0]

Davie_GLA said:

CAPP0 said:

The ones I've used before have points marked along the length where you can cut, and then solder lightweight cable to the connectors provided at those points to bridge the gaps.

Hmm. Ii'm paranoid about heat / fire. #frankenstein.

Do you sheath the wires after? I@m also shoite at soldering.

I haven't sheathed them before due to location and low voltage but I guess you could do something with some heatshrink?

[Mark Benson]

CAPP0 said:

Davie_GLA said:

CAPP0 said:

The ones I've used before have points marked along the length where you can cut, and then solder lightweight cable to the connectors provided at those points to bridge the gaps.

Hmm. Ii'm paranoid about heat / fire. #frankenstein.

Do you sheath the wires after? I@m also shoite at soldering.

I haven't sheathed them before due to location and low voltage but I guess you could do something with some heatshrink?

There are clip on connectors you can use. My electrician gave me a load but you can buy them online (no idea about the site or the products but it was the first I found):

https://www.led-lighthouse.co.uk/led-strip-lights/...

[CAPP0]

Mark Benson said:

There are clip on connectors you can use. My electrician gave me a load but you can buy them online (no idea about the site or the products but it was the first I found):

https://www.led-lighthouse.co.uk/led-strip-lights/...

Perfect! Thanks.

[Davie_GLA]

I'd love to see some of your installations. I'm looking for inspiration. Also what about outside solutions.

[E36GUY]

Davie_GLA said:

I'd love to see some of your installations. I'm looking for inspiration. Also what about outside solutions.

Most LED strip suppliers will have an IP rated version either IP65 or IP68. For outside you should use IP68 but the biggest challenge will be finding IP rated strip that's also UV stable. Pretty much all of them are not and the IP casing material will go brittle over time and then crack and it's buggered.