Bugsy
Well Known Member
I researched several LED light strips for placement under the glare shield. *** See discussion at end of thread for Color choice comparisons ***
First photos of the end product: The strip is on a dimmer, this is full blast at night with all lights off in the garage. With this on full blast you can see throughout the cockpit. I wont need any other cockpit ambient lighting. The glow is comfortable and very cool. Dimming reduces canopy reflections.
My son works the panel, while I take the picture. Here you can see the individual LEDs on the right edge. Inside the cabin you dont get any direct view only the comfortable glow. I have have an edge installed on the glareshield.
Now the facts:
RV7 - 3.5 inches is a great length for the LED strip. 3ft would be plenty.
Dimmer is highly recommended, use a lower wattage SMD3528 strip if using without a dimmer.
I bought 3 different LED strips to experiment:
All driven together with a 12V power supply:
On the far left: 120CM LED strip bought off ebay for $5 shipped. version SMD 335.
Center: 120CM LED strip from EBAY for $15 shipped.. version SMD 3528. 1.44W/foot, 0.12A/foot
Right: 4ft LED strip from www.ledlightsworld.com. This is what I installed in the plane. Cost $60 shipped. 3ft would have been enough and would have saved $13. Version 5050 18 LED/ft. 4.32W/foot, 0.36A/foot. So my 3.5feet put out 15 watts at 1.26A at full grunt, I have a dimmer installed on the panel.
A good reference photo I found with all the various versions of light strips:
Bottom line: I am very happy with the SMD5050 300LED/5meter or 18 per ft version of the LED light strip. At total of 15 watts, it provides plenty of light at a soft glow that impresses all who see it.
First photos of the end product: The strip is on a dimmer, this is full blast at night with all lights off in the garage. With this on full blast you can see throughout the cockpit. I wont need any other cockpit ambient lighting. The glow is comfortable and very cool. Dimming reduces canopy reflections.
![DSCN0162.jpg](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Flh6.ggpht.com%2F_5neMQv77Yq4%2FTMMvoD2m1wI%2FAAAAAAAAAUU%2FMAcPEjNo6dU%2Fs400%2FDSCN0162.jpg&hash=0dc2033fe44b1c97b951b4fd13d93a52)
My son works the panel, while I take the picture. Here you can see the individual LEDs on the right edge. Inside the cabin you dont get any direct view only the comfortable glow. I have have an edge installed on the glareshield.
![DSCN0172.jpg](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Flh3.ggpht.com%2F_5neMQv77Yq4%2FTMMvXyCQvyI%2FAAAAAAAAAUQ%2Fi3FFocsSQAo%2Fs400%2FDSCN0172.jpg&hash=925e310f5ad10a4a4384bd762787dc3e)
Now the facts:
RV7 - 3.5 inches is a great length for the LED strip. 3ft would be plenty.
Dimmer is highly recommended, use a lower wattage SMD3528 strip if using without a dimmer.
I bought 3 different LED strips to experiment:
![DSCN0159.jpg](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Flh6.ggpht.com%2F_5neMQv77Yq4%2FTMMvR4Y_bCI%2FAAAAAAAAAUI%2FMAdf2aeN4bw%2Fs400%2FDSCN0159.jpg&hash=2a1f0fc2777c19a8ac2b8132065321c8)
All driven together with a 12V power supply:
On the far left: 120CM LED strip bought off ebay for $5 shipped. version SMD 335.
Center: 120CM LED strip from EBAY for $15 shipped.. version SMD 3528. 1.44W/foot, 0.12A/foot
Right: 4ft LED strip from www.ledlightsworld.com. This is what I installed in the plane. Cost $60 shipped. 3ft would have been enough and would have saved $13. Version 5050 18 LED/ft. 4.32W/foot, 0.36A/foot. So my 3.5feet put out 15 watts at 1.26A at full grunt, I have a dimmer installed on the panel.
![DSCN0157.jpg](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Flh3.ggpht.com%2F_5neMQv77Yq4%2FTMMvMZaWlxI%2FAAAAAAAAAUA%2FdbouU2TjxMY%2Fs400%2FDSCN0157.jpg&hash=477117f6319ac0b658306f1fad8e85a5)
A good reference photo I found with all the various versions of light strips:
![NWP-SMD3528-LED-STRIPS_09.jpg](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Flh5.ggpht.com%2F_5neMQv77Yq4%2FTMMw9VbcuvI%2FAAAAAAAAAU0%2Ft-bhfKFre8c%2Fs400%2FNWP-SMD3528-LED-STRIPS_09.jpg&hash=3755c88ef7f2f83a9098f8bc177362d1)
Bottom line: I am very happy with the SMD5050 300LED/5meter or 18 per ft version of the LED light strip. At total of 15 watts, it provides plenty of light at a soft glow that impresses all who see it.
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