RMweb Gold JohnR Posted February 28 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 28 I'm looking at getting some LED strip lights for my new layout, and I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations? I had used them before on my other layout, but cant remember where I got them from. I also need a better set - ideally 2 strips running off one power supply (I'd prefer mains powered), with one control for both strips. Is a simple RGB set enough, or does it need to be more sophisticated to get a good "daylight" look to the lighting? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Harlequin Posted February 28 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 28 (edited) 1 hour ago, JohnR said: I'm looking at getting some LED strip lights for my new layout, and I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations? I had used them before on my other layout, but cant remember where I got them from. I also need a better set - ideally 2 strips running off one power supply (I'd prefer mains powered), with one control for both strips. Is a simple RGB set enough, or does it need to be more sophisticated to get a good "daylight" look to the lighting? Unless you need to create sunrise and sunset effects then you probably don't need an RGB set. RGB sets don't offer much control over the quality of the mixed white light they produce, either. I suggest you need a combination of Cool White and Warm White. You can get tapes that combine both and allow you to mix them with very fine control if you have a suitable controller. Or just buy separate Warm and Cool white sets. Cool White is like summer midday sunlight and Warm White is like morning/evening light. The exact combination you use is a matter of taste but most people I've seen use either 2 Warms to 1 Cool or vice-versa. Edited February 28 by Harlequin 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andymsa Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 1 hour ago, JohnR said: I'm looking at getting some LED strip lights for my new layout, and I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations? I had used them before on my other layout, but cant remember where I got them from. I also need a better set - ideally 2 strips running off one power supply (I'd prefer mains powered), with one control for both strips. Is a simple RGB set enough, or does it need to be more sophisticated to get a good "daylight" look to the lighting? as Harlequin rightly suggests a combo of warm and cool white is best, as cool white can be a bit harsh. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold JohnR Posted February 28 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted February 28 45 minutes ago, Harlequin said: Unless you need to create sunrise and sunset effects then you probably don't need an RGB set. RGB sets don't offer much control over the quality of the mixed white light they produce, either. I suggest you need a combination of Cool White and Warm White. You can get tapes that combine both and allow you to mix them with very fine control if you have a suitable controller. Or just buy separate Warm and Cool white sets. Cool White is like summer midday sunlight and Warm White is like morning/evening light. The exact combination you use is a matter of taste but most people I've seen use either 2 Warms to 1 Cool or vice-versa. Thats good to know, thanks, but the myriad of options available on ebay seem to be focussed on RGB lighting, with white options limited. I can see some which offer RGB+WW, or RGB+CW, but none that seem to offer both. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium ColinK Posted February 28 RMweb Premium Share Posted February 28 I have RGB+W strips that run on 24v and are very good. But for my next project our electrician has recommended CW or BW as you get more light than RGB strips Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andymsa Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 When I installed my room lights ( see shed extension topic) these are rgb+cct. It’s the cct bit that do cool and warm white as there are two type of white led in the panel. It might be worth looking for the cct combo. With my lights it is intended to have a day/night time scene change in the future. The photos on my post of the internal room are in full cool white mode. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sulzer71 Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 These are what I have used in my Grainge & Hodder canopy modules https://www.amazon.co.uk/PAUTIX-Flexible-Lighting-Connector-Extension/dp/B08S77TJ9K/ref=sr_1_6?adgrpid=134015180349&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.BGMsadU-tzBJysFCgQz0Mrc7udWwTqCApwSpGHEdrmbFvlTWzX1JxrNAsJKolDFgPXNvv9_0M3mbC9hmCmBSUGruA6ry1i16AzuBJ3hHdjMVgZxBLyM_IK_vPPQaGH52doT2QVlapoJZZBF08ZJP3burxgzclFIQsse591-7POgDm_NfWa8MDOWPyyvJnja1RdnvBsCofE-jzIWpM30d8JvZgxfk7Z_yBTbLEXVtg72BL7whgt8lcgXLUNETCDA5RQ-WargpH32H6kb8Kmv4fIj5IDQ5HueMmTfqHz1n1xQ.y7Pka5_EQCY7newPpyGz8ZQFNTYsHu_ceLSOC5QYGEg&dib_tag=se&hvadid=587726491091&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=1006772&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=17517266399930535295&hvtargid=kwd-1672054122404&hydadcr=26186_1767299&keywords=pautix%2Bcob%2Bled%2Bstrip&qid=1709132576&sr=8-6&th=1 You can see them in testing on a few of the different colours here Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Harlequin Posted February 28 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 28 (edited) 2 hours ago, JohnR said: Thats good to know, thanks, but the myriad of options available on ebay seem to be focussed on RGB lighting, with white options limited. I can see some which offer RGB+WW, or RGB+CW, but none that seem to offer both. Like Andy says, search for "CCT", "Dual white" or "Tuneable white". They all mean the same thing. Also, make sure you get something that's bright enough. Lots of LED tapes are just for accent lighting but you need to look for phrases like "Room lighting" or "Task lighting". Edited February 28 by Harlequin 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold JohnR Posted February 28 Author RMweb Gold Share Posted February 28 Thanks for all that. The trouble with searching in ebay and Amazon, is you seem to get hundreds of results, none of which are quite what you are looking for! I'm beginning to think I may have to accept that I'm going to need two plugs (and two remotes, two drivers etc) one for each board, as those units which seem to split seem to be RGB only. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andymsa Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 1 hour ago, JohnR said: Thanks for all that. The trouble with searching in ebay and Amazon, is you seem to get hundreds of results, none of which are quite what you are looking for! I'm beginning to think I may have to accept that I'm going to need two plugs (and two remotes, two drivers etc) one for each board, as those units which seem to split seem to be RGB only. Although eBay ect is ok for some things and as your finding your having to compromise, I would really look at more specialist suppliers as you might be disappointed with the results your looking for. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bandit Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 I got my led tape from screwfix. It’s a long length so I doubled it back on itself. It had its own driver so it can be plugged into a wall socket and away you go. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
YT-1300 Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 I got mine from Amazon, warm white (the effect can be seen in my link below) Easy to cut and add jumpers between boards Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quarryscapes Posted February 28 Share Posted February 28 Get the highest CRI rating you can find - lots of LED lighting is very poor and makes colours look way off what they should be. Colour temp wise aim for 4000-6000k as a good daylight range. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold bandmbill Posted February 29 RMweb Gold Share Posted February 29 I found these useful… 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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