RGB tape: how to make a DIY LED device

There are times when additional lighting is required in the room, moreover, it is above specific objects, and not throughout the room. These places include a work or kitchen table, a greenhouse in the country and others.

A similar device can be bought on the market, but you can make it yourself. There are many options available, but rgb tape installation is optimal.

Using LED strip

Using a ready-made tape, you can achieve a quick and high-quality result. It is sold in any specialty store. Its cost is democratic, and it can be applied on any flat surface.

In the work, you can use various decorative elements to decorate the product. In addition, by choosing the right additions, you can enhance the device's coverage area (light diffusion).

Typically, multi-colored LED strips are 8 to 10 mm wide. There are a lot of colors used, as well as their powers. The LED strip can work from a 12V network. If there is no such voltage in the house, then the problem can be solved by purchasing an adapter.

The fields of application of such a tape are varied. It is often bought for organizing an office above the table, but no less often it is used as additional lighting above the countertop in the kitchen or above the dining table.

Horizontal device

It is precisely the horizontal type of lamp that is used to illuminate a small part of the countertop in the kitchen, since its capabilities are limited. The ideal distance to the table top is 75-85 cm. Thus, the area will be illuminated with high quality, while the eyes will not get tired of the bright light.

The installation steps are as follows:

1. Preparing a steel or aluminum corner. It will serve as the basis for the RGB LED strip.
2. Fasteners for the device.
3. Installation of the finished product.

The first step is to choose a base. It is better to use an aluminum corner as it is lighter. Measure and size the angle and drill holes for fastening. For high-quality work, you need to degrease the surface before installing (any liquid for alcohol will do).

Before installation, you need to determine in what place the switch will be mounted. To do this, you also need to cut a groove. There he will be located. If the above operations are done, then you can attach the corner to the selected place using screws. Next, the LED lamp is glued to the corner and the switch is fixed. At the end, all that remains is to connect and solder the wires.

In addition to installing a finished lamp, there are many different options for making an LED strip with your own hands. In the case of using a purchased product, there are no fewer options. For example, you can take two steel corners attached with screws.

It is necessary to fasten the tape to one corner in such a way that it is parallel relative to the two planes of the second corner. Thus, you can significantly increase the luminous flux from the device. It is best to install it vertically. This type of device will ideally highlight certain decorative elements in the room, thereby highlighting them. In addition, it is also suitable as lighting for a small aquarium.

Self-production

If there is no ready-made LED strip, do not give up.

For the manufacture of the simplest lamp other materials can be used:

1. Several output LEDs with sufficient power (from 1 kW).
2. Double-sided tape. It must conduct heat well.
3. Drivers. Their number must match the number of LEDs.
4. An aluminum surface that will act as a battery.
5. Soldering iron.

First you need to decide on the nuances. The dimensions of the aluminum surface should be 5x5 cm with a thickness of at least 1 mm, but with the expectation of one LED 1 kW. Only with this ratio will the structure effectively dissipate heat and light. If you do not comply with these parameters, then nothing terrible will happen, but the LED will not work in this way for a long time.

As for the drivers, their case, as a rule, has a marking with the permissible number of LEDs. But if it is not there, then you need to be guided by their power. For example, for an LED with a 3 volt output power, a 10 V driver is ideal.

In order to avoid mistakes when making and assembling the device yourself, you need to pay attention to some points. The driver may or may not be equipped with an EMI filter. If there is no filter, then there may be difficulties in the operation of the TV or other equipment. In this case, you do not need to call the technician to fix the TV. It is enough to buy drivers with filters and everything will work out by itself. These devices are quite cheap and affordable.

When making a device with your own hands, you must thoroughly degrease the surface with an alcohol solution. The base is pre-attached to the selected place. After that, double-sided tape is glued to it. Alcohol is used to treat not only the surface of the base, but also the base of each of the LEDs. Further, the LEDs are mounted on tape in such a way that the plus of each element is a “neighbor” for the minus. For a more secure attachment, the LEDs should be pressed harder. This will allow you to apply a small amount of solder tin using a soldering iron.

At the last stage, you should solder the driver, the switch and connect the device to the power supply. To check, it is recommended to turn on the device for a while so that it works. If the aluminum does not heat up, then the calculations of all sizes and power of the LEDs are selected correctly. In the case of selecting the ratio of the case and the power of the LEDs in this way, any material can serve as the basis, even plastic, since there will be no strong heating.

Simple lamps are easy to make with your own hands, they are easy to use and very economical. Alternatively, you can make a very powerful lamp that will perform the function of the main lighting, only you need to prepare the appropriate drivers and LEDs.

Varieties of devices

If you use the above recommendations and make the device at least once on your own, then you can quickly learn the principle of operation.

A little practice will allow you to fill your hand and subsequently make different designs. For example:

• for kitchen;
• as a desktop backlight;
• for highlighting decorative elements;
• in order to increase the range of light in the room.

These devices have great versatility. They can be decorated with any material. Today, lamps made of PVC or plastic are very popular.

When developing the design of a particular room, lighting issues remain very important. Classic chandeliers or sconces are not always able to create the effect that is needed. LED devices can accentuate any room design.

If there is not enough imagination for self-production, then you can turn to the specialists in the store for help. There you can find a wide variety of LED lamps and choose a device specifically for the needs of a person.

LED strip stopped working? Check the condition of the solders. Often, such breakdowns occur due to the fact that the wires are torn off the drivers due to the initially poor-quality soldering. This problem usually exists in flexible devices. In the case of a vertical or horizontal position of the luminaire, it is possible that the bulbs themselves could fail.

Alternative production options

Using step-by-step guidelines and instructions, you can make a simple device in less than 1 hour. The easiest option would be to use an old GU4 halogen bulb. You can take a burned out one.

For this you may need such tools and materials:

1. LEDs. The number of units must be selected depending on the desired brightness. It is important not to install more than 20 LEDs per device. First, it will significantly complicate the assembly process. Secondly, the lamp will come out too bright.
2. Super glue. You can use an ordinary one, but it will harden much longer.
3. Copper wire.
4. Resistors. They must be selected depending on the power of the lamp itself.
5. Aluminum sheet. Alternatively, you can use a regular beer can.
6. You will also need access to the Internet, because with the help of online calculators, you can easily calculate the required power of resistors, LEDs, etc.
7. Hammer.
8. Soldering iron.
9. Hole punch or awl.

After preparing all the necessary materials, you can proceed to the direct assembly. It is important to stick to the step by step guide. This is the only way to get really good results.

All actions should be performed in the following sequence.:

1. Remove the top glass from the halogen bulb. You also need to clean the surface of the bayonet base from the paint. To do this, you can use a screwdriver or sandpaper.
2. Turn the bulb upside down and knock the pins out of the seat. Then remove the old halogen.
3. According to the chosen arrangement of diodes, place them on the device body. For this, you can initially make a stencil. You can do it yourself or use existing schemes.
4. Then attach the stencil to the aluminum sheet and cut the required shape. Using an awl, make the necessary holes for the LEDs, according to the markings.
5. Put the aluminum sheet in a convenient place and mount the LEDs in the holes. Then all the elements are soldered together according to the scheme.
6. Glue the LEDs to the base. It is important that the glue does not get on the contacts, otherwise unpleasant smoke will form during soldering.
7. After the glue has cooled down, the stage of soldering the legs follows.
8. Using these circuits, solder the resistors to the negative contacts.
9. To prevent the appearance of a short circuit, carefully glue the space where the legs were extended.
10. At the final stage, place the disc on the reflector and glue it carefully.

Thus, making an ordinary LED light bulb is not difficult. The main thing is to use all the instructions and step-by-step algorithms. It is also important to follow the diagrams as it provides a really good result. It is better not to make more complex structures without appropriate experience on your own, but to buy them ready-made. As a result, you can get a good enough assistant in the kitchen, desktop, or just to emphasize decorative elements.