deck lighting strip

Forums › Gadgets, robotics, home automation, electronics (including wearables) › deck lighting strip

aucklander

477 posts

Ultimate Geek

#281182 4-Feb-2021 11:07

Hi,

I am looking to install RGBWW strip on the underside of a deck handrail (it will be the IP65 type, in an aluminium channel and recessed / routed into the timber handrail).

From what I can see so far, the RGBWW strips come in two main types (technologies): separate RGB & WW chips vs. 4-in-1 chips;

Can anyone please advise their experience with either of these? I am concerned the separate RGB and WW chips will lead to distinct areas of different colour alternating along the strip, as you will be able to clearly see which is white and which is a colour? Can you really see them as different light sources? I will go for 60LED/m which means that if the chips are separate, then I have 30 white and 30 RGB per meter, correct? The intention is to have uniform light, not to see alternating white and coloured areas.

Any suggestions for a supplier of all necessary components, located in Auckland? (excluding the aluminium channel)

Thank you

mattenz

190 posts

Master Geek

#2646951 4-Feb-2021 11:14

How close will it be to the thing it's shining on?

aucklander

477 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2646972 4-Feb-2021 11:44

it will be to the underside of the handrail, pointing down. The intention is to get some diffuse light on the "floor" without actually seeing the strip itself.

The deck will be approx 900mm below the strip.

But due to the deck design, there will be other timber surface (rail) approx 100mm below the strip, the different colours might be visible onto this upper rail...

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mattenz

190 posts

Master Geek

#2646976 4-Feb-2021 11:50

I would say that you're probably fine if you get a decent diffuser.

Is it impossible to get something with it all on one chip? e.g. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/10000399861447.html

aucklander

477 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2647008 4-Feb-2021 12:31

Thank you,

I found lots of options for 4-in-1 and for separate RGB and WW chips,

the 4-in-1 is more expensive and is wider (12mm) but the width is OK as the channel I am using is for 12mm strip.

I also found strips with more density of LEDs (96/m) with separate RGB and WW chips, these chips would be so close that I do not believe you can see areas of different colour?...

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001692473980.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.65c81cderVZsul&algo_pvid=904a1111-797a-4ee0-b463-207df4bf63f3&algo_expid=904a1111-797a-4ee0-b463-207df4bf63f3-25&btsid=0b0a556e16123907938495909ed557&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_,searchweb201603_

richms

28168 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2647995 4-Feb-2021 23:38

The white on the 4 or 5 in one chips is weaker than the standalone 5050 sized white LEDs, since there is 3 dies in those vs 1 in a 4/5 in one chip. You can tint the white either way if you get the 4000k white + RGB, to quite a reasonable level. Not as far as the CCT white leds will go tho.

Check out https://quinled.info/analog-led-dimming/ for some recommended strips. I have found that the cheap ones have so little copper in them that you get a red tint on the RGB even after a meter or so, and because the voltage drop is independant of any PWM, you cant fix it by dimming it down, you just get a dimmer strip with terrible consistency of colours.

Go 24v because there is no reason to stick with 12v, other than the closer cutting points. If you're using a high density strip they will still be closer than low density 12v strip anyway.

Richard rich.ms