A while back there was some discussion on the subject of lighting with lighting strips. I am currently using Fluorescent t-4 bulbed fixtures, some of the fixtures are dying and need to be replaced. So I am considering these LED strips. http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Armacost-12-ft-LED-Warm-White-Tape-Light I am hoping that some of the bugs had been worked out particularly the uneven distribution. Any thoughts or recommendation on sources and the particular types of strips would be appreciated as well as tweaking tips. I would especially like to see some pictures of layouts that are lit with LED strips. Thanks
Good deal on Amazon...its the ones I used https://www.amazon.com/HitLights-LE...0BXOIJMI?ie=UTF8&ref_=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top Here is mine starting on this page... http://www.trainboard.com/highball/index.php?threads/t-h-e-r-r-reborn.64636/page-42 Here is Rodneys led strip lighting... http://www.trainboard.com/highball/index.php?threads/feather-river-canyon-layout.91853/page-2
Check out ALI EXPRESS at http://www.aliexpress.com/wholesale?catId=200002296&initiative_id=AS_20160628102814&SearchText=led This is a sales wing of the giant ALIBABA Company. I have dealt with them and had real good service.
I am using these: http://www.aliexpress.com/item/High...657944234.html?spm=2114.13010608.0.102.3YfxWY Using a 12VDC supply I find so far that one strip is more than sufficient to light up the entire section. If I need to add another strip I can. Just don't trust the "sticky back" as it will fail. Example of this on the helix: https://goo.gl/photos/SvvQLrUcJ94Ag7Kn7
True that the supposed 3M adhesive wont hold when the lights are hung underneath a shelf etc.. Mine fell in one day !!! I used a Scoth brand glue stick and followed a pencil line from front to rear on mine. They are glued to a 45 degree corner piece that hides the RV electrical. That was a while ago and they havent dropped or come loose since doing them. Temperature out there ranges from 5 degrees in the winter to 110+ in the summer. The glue should peel loose "IF" I ever have to replace a 3 LED section that quits.
Was looking into all that. In the end I just went with these. http://www.samsclub.com/sams/4ft-led-shoplight-wt-in-club-item-712371/prod20070899.ip
I would definitely use LEDs over fluorescent bulbs. It looks like you've got quite a few good suggestions. Fluorescent light can actually contribute to color fading over time. (UV exposure) After all my hard work, the last thing I need is to 'bleach' out my scenery and buildings... (Though they do make UV-blocking sleeves for fluorescent light fixtures. For those of you who do still use fluorescent bulbs.)
"I am hoping that some of the bugs had been worked out particularly the uneven distribution." I'd say that the distribution is a lot more even than how it was with bulbs: (guess which is which)
way too expensive ! there are far cheaper sources on ebay. i usuall pay less than $10 for 15ft including shipping ! i used 100's of feet of led tape for a lot of different things.
check this seller. http://www.ebay.com/itm/5M-2835-301...hash=item43ef927bcd:m:mxu8swePAa3V0GX0mY2gpLw for layout lightning i suggest using 600led for 115-16ft. 300led are not bright enough. i would also use TWO strips. one warm white and immediately beside that one cold white.
I used (1) Cool White 5000K SMD 5050 - 150 LEDs, 16.4 Ft Roll - 12V DC - 123 Lumens / 2 Watts per Foot on each side of my layout. I dont need to be wearing sunglasses when I go in the layout room !
The ones I picked up were $2.35 with shipping for 5M (just over 16ft), I find these to be quite bright for my setup and don't need a second strip, most areas are 6-14" deep with the strips 6-14" above the track. Now, when I go beyond the 14" or so deep, I agree, a second strip or even a third will be necessary to prevent shadows and dark spots. I only have two areas that are going to be deeper than 14" and only one is getting close to having track put down still. For this listing a 5M 2835 or 3528 strip it is $7.99 each, nearly 4x the cost! I have plenty of LEDs still but will be shopping around next time I need more (likely not for this layout, I picked up 15 5M reels and so far have used 4 and that is on two sides of the lower deck and 3 decks of the backbone helix lit up)
I agree, a second strip or even a third will be necessary to prevent shadows and dark spots. In the 1:1 world...everything throws a shadow when the sun is up...even on an overcast day...just sayin