soundmanjohn Posted November 19, 2012 Report Share Posted November 19, 2012 I've had some flexible LED strip hanging around for a while and decided to try out an idea that had been knocking around for a while. I bought 1 metre of transparent acrylic tube, broke out the heat-gun and the soldering iron and made a couple of these little 12 volt light-sticks. Total cost, about $10 a stick, time to make, about 30 minutes. A bit of adhesive BlackWrap and some adhesive Velcro and I've got an adaptable light-source for working at night or in dark corners. I'll drill the flat sections of the tube and add snap hooks for extra hanging points. Regards, John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmfsnd Posted November 20, 2012 Report Share Posted November 20, 2012 Cool! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soundmanjohn Posted November 20, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 20, 2012 And if you apply sufficient pressure when closing off the ends of the tube, it's completely water-tight as well. I'm going to make one more that has a daisy-chain connector on the other end of the tube, so that you can link two together. The great thing about the LED strip is that you cut off as much or as little (three LEDs is the smallest you can go) as you want and the supply voltage stays the same: only the current draw increases as you add more length. If you want a more diffuse light, a cylinder of frost lighting gel can easily be slipped into the tube. Simple to put together and dirt cheap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccsnd Posted November 20, 2012 Report Share Posted November 20, 2012 very cool! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philip Perkins Posted November 20, 2012 Report Share Posted November 20, 2012 I just dod a job in which a 3 ft diameter circle of those was the key light--a homebrew ring light! Worked great. philp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek H Posted November 21, 2012 Report Share Posted November 21, 2012 Where did you buy these? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmgoodin Posted November 21, 2012 Report Share Posted November 21, 2012 I've been using some 12 volt lighting strips I found at Autozone for $20 for 2 12" Strips. Good adhesive backing and pre attached power cables are provided. They are quite brite and fit under shelves to light the equipment below. They work great and are completely sealed in clear Urathane and completely waterproof. They can be shortened by cutting off a section at the scissor mark and are flexable and adhere to curved surfaces as well. No additional mounting hardware required, just peel and stick and attached the wires to your 12 v source. http://www.autozone....ifier=60064_0_0_ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boomboom Posted November 22, 2012 Report Share Posted November 22, 2012 ... and are completely sealed in clear Urathane and completely waterproof. Makes me realize clear shrink tube could be used. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Martin Posted November 22, 2012 Report Share Posted November 22, 2012 I can't find the seller anymore but I got 5 one foot led strips from a Chinese ebay seller for about a dollar each (with free shipping). Bought them figuring even if they don't work it would be no real loss. They took about a month to get to me, but worked great and barely cost anything. Here is something similar for just a little bit more (but comes from a US seller). http://www.ebay.com/itm/RC-LED-Strip-Light-Kit-9V-Clip-Underglow-White-Blue-Green-Amber-Red-12-LEDs-1-FT-/130806146687?pt=US_Character_Radio_Control_Toys&hash=item1e74a7667f Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soundmanjohn Posted November 22, 2012 Author Report Share Posted November 22, 2012 The LED strip, which is the sealed version, came as a 5 metre roll for about $20 via Ebay, the acrylic tube from a local art & model supplies shop at $10 for a metre. Regards, John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Paine Posted December 3, 2012 Report Share Posted December 3, 2012 or you can try: http://www.oznium.com I've ordered lots of different LED stuff for my cart from them. Always worked as advertised and delivered promptly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soundslikejustin Posted December 3, 2012 Report Share Posted December 3, 2012 Is anyone powering these of batteries, especially lithium-ion (bag mixer style)? If so, what are you using for voltage transformers/power supplies? Dimmers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soundmanjohn Posted December 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted December 7, 2012 The current drain on these is minimal: a small 12v regulator could easily be added to the power input to the strip and shrink-wrapped into the cable harness. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael P Clark Posted December 7, 2012 Report Share Posted December 7, 2012 or you can try: http://www.oznium.com I've ordered lots of different LED stuff for my cart from them. Always worked as advertised and delivered promptly. +1 on oznium. Even sent me new strips if one was damaged, no questions asked, or return necessary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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