What's the specific purpose? I like these.
Triangle Bulbs Ultra Bright White LED Waterproof Flexible Strip Light, T93007-1 (1 pack) - 25 watt, 300 "3528 SMD", 12 volt, 16.4 feet, Pure White - 1 PACK https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005EHHLD8/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_KzWrxbM8F1AN8
I don't mind the red backdrop, to be honest, but I'm also a person who really likes red and black together. A light grey could be a cool contrast with the black, but then it just matches the wall. I like the pop of color. You could look at adding a small lip to the top side of each cube and mounting some LED lights behind it too http://www.amazon.com/Triangle-Bulbs-T93007-Waterproof-Flexible/dp/B005EHHLD8
For layout, have you thought about switching the location of the arcade cabinets and the sectional/TV area? Not sure how the space works out, but could be an option.
Another option (that I use myself) is to break up the retro and current video game areas. I have my (also free) CRT hooked up to non-HDMI consoles (it has component input, so it handles everything from Atari to Wii) in one area downstairs. Then use my flat screen for the current gen consoles in another area. This cuts into cabinet space though (which I don't have but am now interested after seeing this!). SO, could get a better layout for console games at the expense of cabinet gaming -- depends on which will get more use I suppose.
LED strip lighting like this. You can get different colours, mix them up, do cool things.
My living room doesn't have any light sources, so I ran three 6-foot parallel strips of LEDs above the window, caulked some diffuser plastic onto the wall so it's a few inches in front of the LEDs, and now I have glowing sci fi panels illuminating my living room
Total cost <$100 and half that was buying hand tools I should have already owned
I just read your post. It's all very much appreciated! Yes, I misjudged the bulbs. The package for the bulbs claimed to be 75 watt equivalent each. But shouldn't lumens count more than watts?
That's one 5m led strip. (EDIT: the package says "3528" These are the LEDs ) I expected the need for more LEDs/PSUs, thus the terminal block. I have a psu set aside for a 3D printer that could work (12V/12A). That machine is dead anyway.
And the design is meant to be modular. The album shows full height. I plan to have each bucket with its own set of LEDs. I'll look into one of those ufo lights.
I came here for CC and didn't expect any less.
Cheers!
Here is an amazon link that is well reviewed. They get trimmed to whatever length is needed.
I know you took a lot of time soldering those, but you might look into something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Generic-Waterproof-Flexible-Adhesive-Lighting/dp/B005EHHLD8/ref=sr_sp-atf_title_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1383242785&sr=8-3&keywords=led+tape
I've seen some projects where the LED lights are cast in clear casting resin from a hobby store. Look for that on Instructables.com or Youtube.com. You'd have to have a waterproof switch though.
> Am I correct that these LED strips can draw up to 6 amps?
If they use the now-more-common Cree SMD packages then yes, it's entirely possible. The 5mm packages are getting harder to find now but those used less amps.
Sure thing.
The LED strip was something like this one, though I prefer the non-waterproof version, as they are a bit brighter.
I used this dimmer switch, it was easy to wire and works like a charm.
This was the power supply I used.
And I had to buy a pack of these to connect everything to the power supply.
Thanks for the tip, I forgot they made light kits for my style of chrony. I do have 5-6 feet of some LED Lightstrip left over from another project. I'll tape it to the tops of the diffuser-thingys and see if that works.
Sweet Christmas that is an awesome chrony. You're totally right, for another $180 that lab radar is totally worth it. Although there are some negative youtube video reviews where it has trouble picking up shots.
I have these strips (requires a power supply like this) plugged into one of these (they used to be ~$30) as under-cabinet lighting in my kitchen. I don't have it motion-activated, but just add a SmartThings motion detector and you'd be able to accomplish your goal easily enough.
Do you really need it to be part of your SmartThings setup, though? You could just get one of these and have what you're looking to accomplish even cheaper.
Lights are just a roll of strip LEDs (these ones) with a power supply adapter thing (I got this one) and this connecting cable and a switch like this one.
As for stands, I don't know. Mom happened to have a bunch in the basement so I took them for myself. :P They look like this though: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41b4VYEup5L.jpg
If all you want is a backlight, some LED's hooked into a DC power brick would probably do the job. There are loads of handy calculators out there that will do the math for you too, like this one. It might also be easier to use an LED strip like this.
As for light spread, I would probably use some frosted glass or something of that nature. Not sure on that though.
You can also try asking in /r/diyelectronics; we're a pretty new community happy to talk about exactly this sort of thing.
http://www.amazon.com/Triangle-Bulbs-T93007-Waterproof-Flexible/dp/B005EHHLD8
It requires some modding to get it hooked up inside a PC.
Bought these on Amazon. After a bit of soldering they are working beautifully. Powered directly from the power supply in the printer brain.
If you've got $20 left in the budget I highly recommend these: http://www.amazon.com/Triangle-Bulbs-T93007-Waterproof-Flexible/dp/B005EHHLD8/ref=sr_1_1?&ie=UTF8&qid=1436639742&sr=8-1&keywords=led+strip
Here is a 16-foot strip on Amazon with Prime shipping for $8.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005EHHLD8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
i used these bright white ones because they kinda look like stadium lights bouncing off of the cars.
i used this 12 volt wall adapter http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006NTNGN0/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
and i used these connectors to connect the three different strips
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0062RBR84/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Old cardboard box and some clean white poster paper usually does the trick, maybe add some led strips on top and it should be perfect, and some minor wiring know how I'd reckon you could make an excellent one for sub 20 bucks
edit: found this easy video on setting up the leds https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LK8S8apBy8 I'm a very amateur photographer but this might be a project I'm intrested in doing, I might do a step by step if I get motivated
Amazon has 5m for $8 USD. More than my estimate, but still cheap.
http://www.amazon.ca/Waterproof-Flexible-Adhesive-Olympic-Lighting/dp/B005EHHLD8
I think they have green in there
Edit: Nope. Just red, blue, white, and warm white.
However, just google led strips and you'll find it.
i've got mine set up similarly, using these and these
they're 12v, but run just fine off of 11.1, and are wired straight into the power distribution board. Looks awesome as hell at night too. http://imgur.com/a/RiGlv
Mood lighting might be what you're looking for
I probably would have gone with something like this for the lights.
Or if you really wanted to get fancy, you could go with something like this that comes with a remote and is RGB so you can have any color you want. The RGB ones generally come with an adapter for the power and an IR controller so you can change the color like this. Honestly, I would be really leery about using what I assume are just Christmas lights.
thoughts on the LED strip lights?
Backlighting is easy - get a strip of LEDs like this or for multiple colors
The only trouble with back-lighting is getting power to the lights. If this is for a business you would definitely want to go in the wall for power.
For materials I would do wood finely sanded down and then painted.
To mount either raised or flat just go tool around a hardware store, an employee there will be able to find you a good fastener to mount with.
For a flush mount - if you ended up using or a lighter material than wood - 3M strips could work.
This is what you're looking for. LED Light Strip - 12V they're about as simple as you can get. If you want to get fancy, you can make a barrel jack connector for you 12V battery and run this with colors.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant
Happy building :)
>Still, how powerful could these LEDs be if they're 300 for $15 bucks?
I don't know how good this argument is anymore. I recently got a set of white LEDs for my kitchen undercabinet lights and they are very bright using just one strip. I would do the same thing that the guy in the video did where he wraps the strips around a PVC pipe to allow for more LEDs in a smaller area.