Led strip lights

[Irvs]

The parts that generate heat other than the LED chip are the solder joins (where they lengthen cheap led strips) and the supply cable solder join. These channels are made of aluminium so they actually act as a heat sink if anything.

[Winnie]

Yeah it's the electronics that produce heat not the actual light itself. They only get warm though not hot.

[the evil twin]

snip...
These channels are made of aluminium so they actually act as a heat sink if anything.

Cool...

Hey, I made a funny

As an FYI for anyone who may not realise... the higher the power you go in the LED's the hotter the drive ccts run which is why they have the heat sinks on the casings of the LED spotties and light bars... esp the runs running 10 watters (LED power).

The latest Hella LED driving light technology is struggling with that issue. They can get some fairly good light from 3 X hi-power LEDs focussed back towards the reflector but much more than that and they overheat

If the sealed LED strips get too hot they discolour. The higher power LED strips certainly run warm to the touch but nothing like an equivalent output incandescent certainly.

At the moment I have my strips mounted on flat poly but those diffusers look the ducks guts so might have to think about making some new lights up.

[mudski]

I saw the channeling and diffusers a Jaycar. My only concern is with the LED strip sitting in the channel it will direct the light too much. Whereas, I thought, having the strip just on a flat length with no sides or diffusers the light will spread more.
Thoughts?

[threedogs]

You may be able to test the disfuser at Jaycar if concerned at all
Disffuser means to spread or disperse the light, may be just what your after.
That small switch hasn't turned up yet.

[mudski]

Yeah I though more about it after I posted and thats what diffusers do. soften but spread the light. As for my switch, It's prolly sitting on my doorstep. I've been away for work since monday and are coming home tomorrow.

[threedogs]

Been trying my dimmer, its great just walk eg over to camper plug inline with that light dims a treat. now can move as requirement permit.
doesn't need to be permanent, all I'll say is handy as I like my campsites bright, something to do with wobbly boot syndrome late in the evening. LOL

kristoffa 2 of these off to the side might suit your needs, low power draw The smaller one

[mudski]

Ok so I went down to Jaycar and got the channel, diffuser, the end plugs and two other things they said I need. According to their website these bits are required, well i couldn't even find the metal clip, but I can't even figure out how the hell they are used. Even the rubber end cap doesn't make sense.

[threedogs]

Bit like a puzzle but if they are compatable to each other they should fit with minimum force.

[mudski]

Well that metal clip doesn't sit in any way inside the channel, the clear plastic thingo, feck knows, and the rubber end cap is not the same shape as the end of the channel. I reckon I've been out there looking at this from every different angle to figure it out. I'm heading down to Bunnings to see what they have...