Tip: Glare Shield LED strip comparison

[N2756C]

Here's another PWM dimmer that works with LED light strips. No RF issues:

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalo.../pwmDimmer.php

[Brantel]

The Elcheapo dimmers that Van's sell work just fine as a LED dimmer. They cost only a couple bucks more than the sum of the parts if you tried to build your own.

[ChiefPilot]

Originally Posted by N2756C

Here's another PWM dimmer that works with LED light strips. No RF issues:

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalo.../pwmDimmer.php

I just finished wiring this dimmer up today, in fact, to my cockpit lights and avionics. As stated, no RF issues.

[alpinelakespilot2000]

FWIW, for anyone not wanting to order online, my local Autozone store has a Alpena Flex LED 36" light strip in a cool white #77503 for $29.99. Apparently they are also made in red and blue, but the store only carried the white. I couldn't find the 36" version listed on the autozone.com website though, just in the store. The Alpena website (http://promos.marklyngroup.net/comer...e/LEDpromo.asp) indicates that this is a 3528 version, which is apparently not as bright as the 5050, but given the look of the pictures above, it looks like 5050 maybe brighter than necessary anyway, especially if it has to dimmed almost all the way down while flying.

[carguy614]

Great input from all on the LED lighting subject. I can remember when IP lighting was a big investment when all that was available was the certified stuff! I built my 9A with a led strip from Stein, and a dimmer from Vans, and it worked great, except it was a little wimpy during the twilight hour, and I wish that it were a bit more powerful. Looks like the new 5050SMD strips solve that issue for sure. And for 18 bucks...

As for dimming, may I suggest the KICK PWM dimmer. Available on Ebay, shipped, for another 18 bucks, or direct from the company. It works great with my 5050 strip, providing a very linear control of the intensity. This little dimmer is made in the USA, and is used by many lighting contractors for big LED lighting projects. It also has a nice "feel" to the control, with a very positive click.

And...My panel will be lit for 36 bucks total!!

Hope this helps....Link below
Chris

http://www.kicklighting.com/PWM-dimm...ch-for-LED.htm

[alpinelakespilot2000]

For those who have used the SMD strips from LEDlightsworld, do you also need to purchase one of these connectors in order to wire it to a dimmer switch?:

http://www.ledlightsworld.com/10mm-s...sqqfnjqbpdr5e5

Thanks.

[Pat Hatch]

They come with one attached, but it doesn't hurt to order a few extras, I did.

[Jekyll]

I wonder, can I put LED strips under my wings to pimp my ride?

Seriously though, how are folks mounting the strip under the glare shield?

Jekyll

[Wayne Gillispie]

They are bright white with sticky back side. I will wire to ACS pwm dimmers. I have a set for the glare shield, cabin and baggage areas. Panel and cabin lights wired to hot aux bat feed to front fuse block with 1A ato fuse.

No dimmer for baggage area and switch near baggage door wired to aux bat hot fuse block with 1A ATO fuse.

Of course I will have to make sure those lights are off before leaving the plane or the aux battery will end up dead. One reason I did not hook up to main 27 ah battery. Sure will be nice to be able to turn on lights without anything else on.

If the sticky back lets go there are many adhesives to choose from down the road.

[Hens07]

So white or green is the best... Does anyone have an example of green LED lighting? I think it could actually look sorta cool