How to make LED backlight

LED lights not only looks impressive, it allows you to literally transform the interior, give it originality and chic.In addition, LED strips can hold not only in the ceiling structure, it is possible to frame the headboard or a niche in the wall, decorate the podium or to highlight wardrobe.Illumination of this type has a wide color gamut, and uses minimal power.In this article, we'll show you how you can make the LED ribbon with your hands and how to carry out its installation.

What is the LED ribbon, and how to do it yourself

LED Strip Light is a soft flexible strip made of transparent plastic.Inside this band at an equal distance to each other LEDs are placed.The brightness depends on the number of such diodes contained in the stream.The number of diodes can vary between 30-240 pieces at 1 m band.

Dimensions standard LED strip are as follows: its width is from 8 to 10 mm and a height of between 2 and 3 mm.Feeds differ not only in brightness but also the color of the glow.In addition to monochrome and color ribbons, there are those who can change the shade of rays during use.

Nutrition LED strip is a constant current, the voltage for such lighting is often 12, occasionally - 24 V to convert the alternating current to 220, during installation, you must connect the power supply for LED strip.Besides converting unit, during this illumination also need to install the controllers, who will be responsible for changing the brightness of the light and color of the backlight.To use the controllers were more comfortable, they can be equipped with a remote control.

Mounting LED tape does not pose any difficulty, because on one side of a plastic strip coated adhesive composition.Since the tape itself is lightweight, adhesive is enough to ensure that it is securely fastened on the surface.Sometimes

LED backlight decorate bathrooms, saunas or other premises where there is constant humidity.For such cases, manufacturers produce special waterproof tape.As a rule, such products are the mark IP 30 or IP 65.

The advantage of LED lighting can be considered not only the simplicity of its installation and a variety of colors, but also environmental safety, because LED strip in its composition does not have a mercury - an essential component of energy-saving lamps.

tape of this type can be purchased ready-made and can be made independently.To learn how to solder the LED strip, we'll continue.First, consider the list of required materials.Here's what you will need for work:

• getinaks sheet;
• enameled wire;
• LEDs having a voltage of 3 V and the angle of illumination equal to 20-30 °;
• rosin and solder;
• green plastic bottle;
• building dryer;
• colorless heat shrink tubing.

process of manufacturing LED strip with your hands is as follows:

1. Lay on your desktop Micarta sheets and cut them into strips width of about 1 cm
2. from a plastic bottle, cut the neck and the bottom, and then cutting the body to get a flat.plastic sheet.This sheet is also cut into strips of width 1 cm.
3. striped Micarta do the holes at an equal distance from each other.These holes are used to mount LEDs having a diameter of 5 mm.On the strip is 0.5 m long disposed 16 LEDs.The obtained
4. LEDs insert hole, and then solder to 4 in a diode circuit which is designed for a 12 V voltage.
5. using enameled wire, solder all the chains into a single chain.
6. When this work is done, be sure to check the LEDs on by plugging them into the 12-volt voltage.
7. If all the lights are lit on the strip can be made to impose a layer of green plastic and put heat shrinkable tubing.
8. Hot air dryer construction of the tube to be heated until under high temperature, it will not shrink.

As a result of the work done you should have a LED strip, which has a green glow.

Features backlight ceilings

LED backlight is most often used for decoration of suspended ceiling constructions.There are 4 main ways to install the ribbon on a ceiling:

1. Contour diffused lighting involves placing a LED strip on a special shelf.This diode beams are directed upwards, as a result of the ceiling form a continuous band of light.
2. directional lights means that the tape is mounted on a slope, and the light from the diodes is directed along the ceiling surface.The effect of the lighting will become divergent beams in different directions.
3. Spot lights is done in such a way that the individual LEDs are located on the surface of the ceiling alone, as a result of an effect of the so-called starry sky.Make this type of illumination itself is difficult, so it is advisable to seek help from professionals.
4. Figured light suggests that the LEDs are placed in a small-sized lampshades, which are subsequently mounted on the ceiling.This lighting is also quite difficult to do with their hands, not having the technical knowledge and practical skills.

LED strip, photo:

Construction and contour spotlighting their own hands

Deciding to decorate the ceiling LED ribbons, first, select the appropriate option.Let us consider what the subtleties desirable to consider when purchasing LED strip:

1. first step is to determine the color of the tape.If you decide not to highlight their own hands and buy ready-made, it is better to give preference to the tape with RGB controller.This tape will make it possible to change the shade of light and adjust the brightness.Highlighting this type of long time you get bored, besides, you can always choose the color of the glow on your mood.By the way, this tape is almost as much as her monochrome counterparts.
2. emitters density - another important characteristic.This figure is different and is 30, 60 or 120 pieces per 1 m band.The greater the density, the more saturated and brighter the light.To set the contour illumination is recommended to choose a tape with a high density of diodes 60 to 120 pieces.For accent lighting, this figure could be smaller and be 30 or 60 diodes.If the ceiling niche is big enough, set it directly on the 2 tapes of different density emitters.This light will allow you to do a lot of interesting lighting effects.
3. Power LED strip should also be considered before buying the product.Typically, the tape labeled SMD letters and four digits.and the first two will indicate the power consumption of the four digits.In addition, the backlight power can be found in the instructions supplied with the product.When you create a contour illumination power must be about 8 W / m, directional light, this figure could be smaller and equal to 5 W / mK.
4. Calculation LED strip will depend on its length, so this indicator is also necessary to take into account before you buy.
5. When buying LED strip should also purchase a controller and power supply.When selecting these elements, pay attention to the tension.Operating voltage tapes has 3 indicator: 5 V, 12 V, 24 V and a controller and power supply should maintain the correct voltage.

Installing LED lighting is shown schematically in the figure:

During the installation of the tape in the ceiling structure, consider the following subtlety:

1. LED strip is fixed to the surface by means of adhesive, which is applied to one of its sides.On the new tape adhesive layer is covered with a special film, which does not allow it to dry or dirty.As the surface of the plasterboard strip is held it is not very reliable, and has the ability to eventually peel off, while it is desirable to use special mounting profile for LED strip.Such a profile is made of PVC and retains the tape surface over the years.
2. solder wires to the tape should be very carefully and with great care, since the plastic, and the LEDs do not tolerate high temperatures.For this work it is recommended to use a flux paste and solder POS-61, which has a melting temperature does not exceed 160 °.Plumbing parts desirable one touch.If you do not have sufficient experience of similar work, ask for help to the master.
3. than 3 m tape joining together is not recommended, since the backlight is simply not withstand the high voltage.Better every m 3 attached to the tape controller with separate wires.
4. Pay attention to the polarity of the wires and their appointment.
5. If in the process of LED Strip will have to be divided into parts, cut them only on those lines which are provided by the manufacturer.If the tape is the latest and need a segment of a certain length, take a sharp pair of scissors or clippers and make a special section of strictly between the diodes.

Driving LED strip:

LED strip with your hands.Video