Lights for Detolf

[kl241]

Yes they should definitely have made both color temps of the Dioers available to choose from. I returned a bunch because they had the newer "warm white" so they should get the message to give customers a choice.

 

[golfpro1286]

So I am working on the designs for some custom cases that I want to build. You really only want to light these primarily from above/front of the figures right?

 

[Pixelpiper]

Lighting positioning/direction depends completely on what your goals are and what you have to work with.

Do you want even illumination with little to no shadows?

Do you want a lot of shadow detail setting a particular mood?

Are you trying to highlight any specific figure or detail on a figure?

How can lighting be mounted given your display structure and light sources?

If you're interested in being creative, then my suggestion is to check out some photo lighting blogs and flickr groups, such as strobist - even if you only look at the pictures you will take away a lot of inspiration.

 

[Cingen]

So I am working on the designs for some custom cases that I want to build. You really only want to light these primarily from above/front of the figures right?

Mostly above, but front etc depends alot imo.. Most people go front only, but by playing with them directly above or behind figures you can get some nice effects too..

 

[Pixelpiper]

Some nice examples can be found with these following search terms, among many of course:

museum lighting
museum display lighting
museum lighting technique

Try image search via Google and Bing for lots of examples. And don't forget to look at all the pictures posted in the threads here on the board.

Check out this elaborate lighting setup:

 

[stiff_richards]

the dioders are the most popular. The new ones tho are a warm light rather than the old bright white ones!!! I WANT THE OLD ONES BACK!!!!!!!!

 

[Pixelpiper]

I know how you feel. I react the same way when I read someone write "dioder" for the millionth time.

 

[Frank Jaeger]

Pixel i've thought about buying the strips off eBay or Amazon but i wouldn't know what i'd need & need to do to make them work

I'm confident enough to put money on the table that the reason they switched over to warm white is because they received too many returns and/or complaints about the color temperature on the original bright-white versions. The vast majority of people would likely have been disappointed hooking up their new lights and finding they didn't complement their already-installed (likely incandescent or warm CFL) ceiling and lamp lighting.

If anyone wants cooler bright-whites, go the LED ribbon route via Amazon or eBay. If I was able to have more than 500 "characters" in my signature I'd include such a note in it.

 

[Pixelpiper]

On Amazon usually in the comments people list exactly what you need and offer some really good info.

Petty much you need at minimum two things, the LED ribbon and an LED driver (aka power supply). Beyond that you can get connectors that will make it easier to join segments of LED ribbon without needing to solder, switches, timers, etc... It's pretty much picking up, ala carte, the pieces that you'd see included in an IKEA Dioder set. The benefits of course are more product for the same price and greater versatility in installation.

As soon as I have the chance, I'll put together a public shopping list (collection) on Amazon as well as post into my build thread all the items necessary plus optional, along with photos. Then I can include a link in my signature.

 

[bennz]

I am building a custom shelf and Acrylic display cases. I am stuck between choosing 5050 or 3528 LED strips. Has anyone used LED strip lights in an enclosed Acrylic display case before? How much heat is generated after 1 hour of LEDs being turned on?
Would appreciate if you can post photos of your setup and the lighting

I am displaying the following in their own acrylic cases:

. DX 11 Joker with the interrogation room setup : thought to use cool white LED
. Classic predator : Thought to use warm white LED
. To be released DX 13 : thought to use either yellow/mild orange LED or warm white.

What are your thoughts on those lights?

 

[Rambler]

As soon as I have the chance, I'll put together a public shopping list (collection) on Amazon as well as post into my build thread all the items necessary plus optional, along with photos. Then I can include a link in my signature.

That would be extremely helpful. Thanks

 

[Pixelpiper]

What are your thoughts on those lights?

You don't need to use very much ribbon to light your displays, so the heat generated by the LEDs (and resistors) will be insignificant in terms of the effect on ambient temps.

5050's are very bright, use sparingly. Remember, you can cut strips with as few as 3 LEDs.

 

[bennz]

You don't need to use very much ribbon to light your displays, so the heat generated by the LEDs (and resistors) will be insignificant in terms of the effect on ambient temps.

5050's are very bright, use sparingly. Remember, you can cut strips with as few as 3 LEDs.

Thanks a lot for your reply : )

Would you recommend 3528 instead of 5050?
With these LED strips is it better to have them all around or in the (bottom) front of the object?

 

[Pixelpiper]

Depends on what kind of look/effect/mood you're going for. There really isn't a "better" until you decide what your goal is.

I only use 3528's at the moment for my Detolfs, but I'd consider 5050's for situations where I want to run minimal strip with a decent amount of light output, such as small segments which are more directional. Seeing as they're both pretty inexpensive per roll, I'd likely get one of each if I were in your shoes right now. What you have left over can always be used in the future. Keep in mind that 5050's use a lot more power of course.

 

[bennz]

Thanks Pixel, Could you please tell me the mark and model of LED you use and proven to be a good quality?

 

[Pixelpiper]

LED Wholesalers stuff and Hit Lights have worked well for me - Amazon.

 

[kanine]

Anyone here use the Dioder multicolor LED light pucks? Thinking about picking up 2 packs of these for my detolf.

 

[eastern]

Any idea if using the LEDBERG from IKEA is worth it for the Detolf?

 

[Pixelpiper]

No. It looks pretty much like a much more expensive and cheap version of the LED ribbon sold on Amazon and eBay. Do it right, don't buy your cabinet lights from IKEA unless you're doing puck lighting with visible enclosures.

 

[golfpro1286]

I think I am going to order my first set of LED supplies from superbrightleds.com. I was hoping you guys could double check my list to make sure I haven't left too many things off:

1 meter 3528 warm white
12 VDC 24 watt power supply
22 gauge power wire

At the risk of sounding stupid because I am a newbie, how do you connect the power wire to the power supply...? I am guessing a barrel connector to screw terminal adaptor?

Also, pixelpiper mentioned clips to connect strips without having to solder. Can someone post a picture of these? Or a link to purchase.

Thanks