I’m planning on doing a little DIY project that’s going to require buying and rigging up an LED system for a specific purpose. Can anyone recommend a good starting place for learning how LED systems work and what’s required? It could be a book, magazine, website, DVD, anything that might help. Thanks!
Depending on your application, an Arduino microcontroller may be of assistance:
http://www.arduino.cc/ with a forum at Arduino Forum for questions
An arduino is essentially a tiny computer that can be programmed to control the LEDS (or various other controllers) - the basic tutorials will teach you pretty mush all you need to know about LEDS, and wiring them up
What sort of “LED System?”
Area lighting, moving message, video wall, novelty, etc?
(FYI - I’ve designed large special-purposed LED displays)
Backlighting for an artist’s lightbox/table.
Oh, that’s better -
First of all, LEDs can have poor color rendering, so be very careful using them, if color accuracy is important. I would probably look at what is available off-the-shelf as drop-in 110v lamp replacements. You could make your own system using raw emitters and driver circuitry, but it’s going to be a lot easier to just find some replacement bulbs and wire them to a lamp cord. Home Depot sells some quality (Phillips) LED lamps.
Actually, what I’m looking for is putting together a strip light system, something like these: LED Strip Lighting (SOC61-10) - Semicon Optronics Channel Corporation
I want a very low-profile set-up, not regular bulbs. Sorry, probably should have been clear on that from the beginning.
There’s a bunch of stuff on eBay intended for auto applications. Long strips, bullet lights, etc. Add it to a 12v power supply and you’d be all set.
Ikea sells LED strips for under-cabinet light.
Once again, be careful with the color rendering - these are designed to be inexpensive, and they tend to be rather “blueish."
waterproof led spotlights
led dimmer 12 v
led wall dimmer :smack:
led strip!
Lots of RGB strip lighting (i.e. three LED colors) out there. I’ve seen many in gem/jewelry display cases that give very good color rendering. Google for “RGB LED strips”.
One such website, provided only as an example, I have no experience with them in particular.
Another example with pics…
Reported.
Oh, hey. This is fun – I like the arduino board. Actually I’m saving up to buy one just for fun.
Good links all. But there is no primer – this is linear circuits 101 from Kirchoff and Ohm. Trust me – without the basic tools of the trade you can make your circuit, but you probably won’t enjoy it as much as designing it yourself.
I have bought a number of Sylvania 2700k led bulb replacements. I am generally quite pleased with them, except when they are on a dimmer, when their performance flickers some. They are supposed to be dimmable. The color is pleasing and other than the dimming and flickering issue, I give them no thought.
Well, I sure the OP has done what he needed to do, but I thought I’d mention that I just recently installed under-cabinet lights using these LEDs.
They look great, and provide a lot of light.