Lights for Detolf

[cstrybosch]

Hey, it is my first post on this forum, but not the first time I visited. I have a few detolfs that I wanted to light up and I hated the IKEA lighting options. They are not expensive (At about $20-30 CAD) but also do not provide adequate lighting (from the Google Image searches I completed). I saw was pixelpiper was doing and this was just a little too much for what I was looking for. However, I took his idea for the LED strip lights. I found some sellers online (eBay and AliExpress) who would sell me 5 metres of lights (cool or warm coloured) including a power supply for $10 CAD. I have some experience with electronics and soldering so it was quite easy to set this up. I found that 5 metres of 3528 LED strip lights would complete a full Detolf (with some lighting to spare). They are backed with 3M tape so applying was quick. I also purchased some IR remotes that you can wire in series with the lights so $1 for a coin/dics battery and I was able to have a wireless remote control the power.

I dont have any photos to post right now (updated: see below) but I found that with a few hours of work and $10-$15 CAD, I could have a fully lit detolf.

I really enjoy seeing others and their setup for future ideas on display and lighting. Thanks!

I am editing this post so I can include a link to a similar seller on AliExpress with cheap LED strip lights with adapter. See: LED Strip 3528 SMD 300leds/5M Cool/Warm White Red Green Blue Yellow Light Flexible Ribbon Tape with 12V 2A Power Adapter Supply-in LED Strips from Lights & Lighting on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group

 

[gaunted]

If I were to go with led strip lighting is warm white or cool white the better option?

most tend to lean on cool white

 

[gaunted]

Hey, it is my first post on this forum, but not the first time I visited. I have a few detolfs that I wanted to light up and I hated the IKEA lighting options. They are not expensive (At about $20-30 CAD) but also do not provide adequate lighting (from the Google Image searches I completed). I saw was pixelpiper was doing and this was just a little too much for what I was looking for. However, I took his idea for the LED strip lights. I found some sellers online (eBay and AliExpress) who would sell me 5 metres of lights (cool or warm coloured) including a power supply for $10 CAD. I have some experience with electronics and soldering so it was quite easy to set this up. I found that 5 metres of 3528 LED strip lights would complete a full Detolf (with some lighting to spare). They are backed with 3M tape so applying was quick. I also purchased some IR remotes that you can wire in series with the lights so $1 for a coin/dics battery and I was able to have a wireless remote control the power.

I dont have any photos to post right now (updated: see below) but I found that with a few hours of work and $10-$15 CAD, I could have a fully lit detolf.

I really enjoy seeing others and their setup for future ideas on display and lighting. Thanks!

I am editing this post so I can include a link to a similar seller on AliExpress with cheap LED strip lights with adapter. See: LED Strip 3528 SMD 300leds/5M Cool/Warm White Red Green Blue Yellow Light Flexible Ribbon Tape with 12V 2A Power Adapter Supply-in LED Strips from Lights & Lighting on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group

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looks great man, thanks for adding a link
Did you tape it right on to the grey frame instead of the glass?

 

[cstrybosch]

No need for additional supplies, that's the best part about the LED strip lights. There is a 3M backing on them, so just peel and stick! You can align it nicely so that when you stand in front of the case, you cant see the lights and its all hidden behind the grey frame. I stuck some additional strips along the top on the wood piece just to provide additional light to the first shelf. I don't have anything glued or taped to the glass at all. This way cleaning can still be completed. Since you can look through the glass to see whatever was stuck to it, this was a reason for not using the IKEA Dioder or LED pucks. Another reason was for avoiding the cluster of wires. I have two wires that sneak out the bottom, one power, one ground. I found this to be the cleanest way to power up.

The photos are taken with all of the lights off in the room and only the Detolf lit.

 

[hawker180]

Finally got some progress with My lighting.

2 Cabinets done, 1 to go and then I am going to re-do my 89 Batmobile case.




What I used:
4x Arlec Warm White LED kits (Bunnings $29.00AUS - for those in Australia)
Custom leads and plugs
4x 1m LED light extensions and additional plugs
1x Wemo Motion Switch (turns lights on when I enter the room)

 

[dntfeedthemnkys]

Finally got some progress with My lighting.
What I used:
4x Arlec Warm White LED kits
Custom leads and plugs
4x 1m LED light extensions and additional plugs
1x Wemo Motion Switch (turns lights on when I enter the room)

That looks awesome. LOVING the Wemo motion switch function. How long do the lights stay on for? For example, if you were in the room to watch a movie, do they turn on and then turn off after you're still in the couch for awhile? Or can you opt to keep them on? This is a super freaking rad idea and has inspired me.

 

[hawker180]

That looks awesome. LOVING the Wemo motion switch function. How long do the lights stay on for? For example, if you were in the room to watch a movie, do they turn on and then turn off after you're still in the couch for awhile? Or can you opt to keep them on? This is a super freaking rad idea and has inspired me.

My display's are in My office, I have it set to 10 minutes. The room is fairly small and if I am setting at my desk it keeps tripping the motion so the lights remain on.

I think Belkin are discontinuing the motion product shortly so they might be harder to obtain.

 

[dntfeedthemnkys]

Thanks mate! I'm bidding on eBay now. [emoji106]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[dntfeedthemnkys]

Alrighty... I have no idea what I am doing... But I just bought 5m of LED strip lighting, some L shaped connectors, some T shaped connectors and a transformer on eBay.

The plan is to run LED strip up the front facing inwards (both sides and across the top) and then at each shelf, split (with the T connectors) to run sideways down both edges.

Theoretically, this should light up each shelf fairly brightly.

But, like I say, I have NFI what I am doing.

I'm thinking I would like to grab some balsa wood (or similar), cut to a triangle shape... to run under the LED strip, essentially to focus the light inwards and cut some of that dotted light glare that seems to face outwards in so many shelves. (I'd spray paint it silver or something to match the shelving wiring).

I'll take some pictures as I go and post up!

All in all, far cheaper than hitting up IKEA for the bits and bobs. Hopefully a good end-result.

 

[cstrybosch]

Are the LED strips RGB or single colour? The RGB will be 4 prong vs the 2 for single. Also, do the strips have a 3M backing for easy adhesion?

 

[dapro]

So is this still recommended?

DIODER LED 4-piece light strip set - IKEA

 

[cstrybosch]

I don't like this option. Look at the number of wires in the set. Its a lot to hide and I don't feel that it provides adequate lighting. With a little more work you can use LED Strips with a power adapter or Pixelpiper's method of hiding wires entirely.

 

[dntfeedthemnkys]

The problem with LED strips is that it is hard to hide the row of little dot lights... I am keen as for something that lights up the display but doesn't distract from it.

 

[wookp]

I made my detolf kinda wireless by making one side positive and another negative. Just grind off anywhere you want your led to be and clip it on.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[dapro]

How about Lightmates from costco? No wires.

 

[xipotec]

https://www.sideshowcollectors.com/forums/how-to-display-your-collectibles/160832-detolf-build-custom-led-setup-instructions.html

Hope it helps...

 

[wookp]

And our mini wireless project is done. Now to put lights on top of the cabinet.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[DarthBakura]

Damn, that looks nice Wookp! Wireless seems like the next step.


Too bad I'm only JUST now getting around to using the old Ikea Dioders. I managed to camouflage most of the wires. Just a few nasty spots.

 

[Tinman2000]

I built my Detolfs about a year before collecting HT; since then I found I need a lot more light to display these figures and purchased some Ikea Dioder kits over the weekend. It didn't take long to realize the light strips need to be angled towards the figures vice flat-mounted so I took the time to review several member's solutions for mounting the strips across the top-front of each display area. I think mounting the light strips vertically on both sides provides too much light, at least for my taste, so I visited Home Depot this afternoon looking for something besides wood to mount the strips at an angle. What I found was a long section of vinyl channel in the paneling/molding section that I think may fit the bill. It's pretty hard to explain but if you look at a cross section you can see the channel can be slid over the front of the glass shelves with the inside rounded arc providing the correct angle to mount the light strips so that they point at the figures. My thought is to Velcro the light strips to the inside of the arc although I haven't gotten to that part yet. I originally thought about painting the vinyl sections to match my black-brown Detolfs but I think leaving the vinyl it's raw color would work better and be less distracting.

Make sense?

 

[CrazyAngel4You]

Hey, it is my first post on this forum, but not the first time I visited. I have a few detolfs that I wanted to light up and I hated the IKEA lighting options. They are not expensive (At about $20-30 CAD) but also do not provide adequate lighting (from the Google Image searches I completed). I saw was pixelpiper was doing and this was just a little too much for what I was looking for. However, I took his idea for the LED strip lights. I found some sellers online (eBay and AliExpress) who would sell me 5 metres of lights (cool or warm coloured) including a power supply for $10 CAD. I have some experience with electronics and soldering so it was quite easy to set this up. I found that 5 metres of 3528 LED strip lights would complete a full Detolf (with some lighting to spare). They are backed with 3M tape so applying was quick. I also purchased some IR remotes that you can wire in series with the lights so $1 for a coin/dics battery and I was able to have a wireless remote control the power.

I dont have any photos to post right now (updated: see below) but I found that with a few hours of work and $10-$15 CAD, I could have a fully lit detolf.

I really enjoy seeing others and their setup for future ideas on display and lighting. Thanks!

I am editing this post so I can include a link to a similar seller on AliExpress with cheap LED strip lights with adapter. See: LED Strip 3528 SMD 300leds/5M Cool/Warm White Red Green Blue Yellow Light Flexible Ribbon Tape with 12V 2A Power Adapter Supply-in LED Strips from Lights & Lighting on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group

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Hi,

I'm currently searching for light options for my Detolfs and I find your setup very nice! Could you please post some close-ups on how you installed them onto the frame? I don't quiet get how you've placed your strip. Especially between each shelf.

Thanks mate! Hope I ain't asking for too much.