I have a small lanai that I need to light. It doesn't need to be super bright, just bright enough to comfortable sit and converse or eat diner by. The perimeter of the room is about 60' so I'm thinking about running a strip of COBB leds around the perimeter of the room. It's a white ceiling, and a low ceiling so I think that'll do it.
Does anyone have a manufacturer you recommend? Any first-hand experience?
I was talking with a supplier, but as it is in China the lead time and shipping are hurdles. I'd rather find someone local (even if the bottom line price is the same or a bit higher) for any warranty / service issues.
slefain
PowerDork
1/4/22 10:57 a.m.
I'm extremely happy with this:
https://www.amazon.com/ollrieu-Waterproof-interconnectable-Flexible-Decoration/dp/B07MKGF3WZ
I got a 50' roll and tacked it up around the perimeter of our dining room (which is a converted porch). Awesome indirect light. I have it plugged in to a smart plug so I can turn it off and on via Alexa.
Opinion: Whatever led light you buy, make it indirect. I can't be around led lights without wearing a blindfold...
Streetwiseguy said:
Opinion: Whatever led light you buy, make it indirect. I can't be around led lights without wearing a blindfold...
I plan on mounting it on an aluminum profile to bounce the light off the white cieling. I much prefer indirect lighting in just about all circumstances.
The Barrinna lights we've discussed in the past give an indirect lighting feel. You end up with a very even light and can look right at the fixtures without a problem. Your biggest problem might be keeping the lumens down :)
I'd recommend stopping by Ikea. They have a lot of good LED light options that will be ULA approved.
Is there dropped ceiling by chance? These don't require it, but it is definitely the easiest mounting option for them.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07J9MXFCK/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_2?smid=A24PGQ82SQQCVB&psc=1
Now, they are VERY bright, but they are also edge lit so it is soft. It is still a bit much to look at directly, but they are 10v dimmable. (I have not hooked up dimming to mine at this time.)
Keith, I'll check those out as well, thanks.
AWSX, no drop-ceiling. This is basically a covered porch, here in Florida they call it a Lanai. It's a low-ceiling so traditional fixtures our out, and a drop-ceiling is even more out of the question LOL.
At the theater, I just buy the cheapest LED tape I can find. A brand called LE (Lighting Ever) has worked great for me and I've had some of them running 24/7 for about 4 years at the theater. It usually comes in 5M (about 16') lengths. You can get them with little snap on connectors to daisy-chain them, or you can solder conductors on the ends. Be aware of the amperage that each string draws and make sure the power supply is up to it. Most of them have ample power. The ones I have lighting under the bar at the theater are 5 strings on one power supply and I'm near its capacity. If you need more power, you can always get your own power supply that will handle it.
I also strongly recommend warm white. Daylight/bright white is pretty harsh and blue-ish. Something around 3000K.
These are the ones I have running 24/7 at work: Amazon.com: Lepro 16.4ft Dimmable LED Strip Light Kit with 12V Power Supply, 300 LEDs SMD 2835, Non-Waterproof Tape, Flexible Rope Light for Home, Kitchen, Under Cabinet, Bedroom and More, Warm White : Tools & Home Improvement
My son put up some perimeter LED on his room. Up the corner and all the way around.
They came with a small remote to dim, flash, or change to several colors.
Really bad picture, they actually look good.
And turned down in purple.
I put some LED strip lights around the ceiling of a basement bedroom this summer. They are pointed up about 3" from the ceiling mounted above some crown moulding. These were a really high-density string (LED every inch), so the length was limited to two 16' strips. But the light is very even and fairly bright, but also dimmable. You could probably find a 32' strip with twice the LED spacing. The brand I used was Olafus from Amazon.
Ikea lighting visit gets my vote.
Streetwiseguy said:
Opinion: Whatever led light you buy, make it indirect. I can't be around led lights without wearing a blindfold...
Then don't buy dimmable LEDs, they are the ones with the slight flicker
carguy123 said:
Streetwiseguy said:
Opinion: Whatever led light you buy, make it indirect. I can't be around led lights without wearing a blindfold...
Then don't buy dimmable LEDs, they are the ones with the slight flicker
In the last 5 or so years they have gotten so much better. The PWM frequencies they use are so fast that flicker isn't really a thing anymore. The ones I have in my bedroom are at about 50% and have zero flicker. If I turn them down to about 10% I can almost perceive flicker, but I did notice flicker when I shoot a video or I'm video chatting with someone.
In reply to Curtis73 (Forum Supporter) :
Good to know
carguy123 said:
Streetwiseguy said:
Opinion: Whatever led light you buy, make it indirect. I can't be around led lights without wearing a blindfold...
Then don't buy dimmable LEDs, they are the ones with the slight flicker
Its not the flicker, its the focused brightness. They are like watching arc welding without a helmet.