Cabinet lighting advice

[Trent]

So, I'm looking for some LED downlights for a display cabinet. I am unsure as to how to go about it so I thought I'd ask those of you that have it. (And those of you who just want to offer an opinion ;))

What colour lights do you think? 3000K, 4200K or 5000K? I'm thinking the whiter light of the 5000K would compliment the TFs better but since this cabinet is going in a living area I'm not sure if it will be too white. Maybe the 4200K.

What wattage is good for a cabinet? I see everything from 3.5W up to 11W. I don't want to over-do it and make the cabinet glaringly bright (and the heat from the higher wattage ones is a considration as well) but I don't want it too dark either.

Any other considerations?:confused:?

[Slag]

How about some LED strip lighting. There's some i bought the other day that came with a remote. It has 15 different colours + white + a couple of scroll through modes and you can adjust the brightness to suit.
It just sticks in place and comes in 30cm lengths that just plug together if you need a longer piece. ..

Anyone would think i've got shares in the company after that rant.. :p

[lancalot]

I would recommend led strips that go along the edges so it will light up all the shelf and not just the top ones ....

[Slag]

this is similar to the kit i bought. http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/583168424/osram_led_strip_light.html

don't know what the hell that site is though. i just picked it up a an electrical supplier..

[Slag]

I would recommend led strips that go along the edges so it will light up all the shelf and not just the top ones ....

Good idea.. you can also run a strip on the underside of each shelf, you'll just need to connect them together using some cable. Easy if you're good with a soldering iron.. There are some kits that come with connectors to do this too but you might be limited by the length..

[Trent]

How about some LED strip lighting. There's some i bought the other day that came with a remote. It has 15 different colours + white + a couple of scroll through modes and you can adjust the brightness to suit.
It just sticks in place and comes in 30cm lengths that just plug together if you need a longer piece. ..

Anyone would think i've got shares in the company after that rant.. :p


I would recommend led strips that go along the edges so it will light up all the shelf and not just the top ones ....

It's a mirror backed cabinet so strip lighting down the sides is out of the question. It will be reflected off the mirror and you won't be able to see anything else.

[Slag]

I'd just keep it pointing downwards then.

[DELTAprime]

I want some LED lighting strips for my shelves. I currently have 14 shelves I'd like to illuminate so the electrical side of things is where it might get tricky. The shelves are about 70cm each so I think I can get away using one strip per shelf.

Do the different brands of strips all use the same connector for wiring? If they use unique connectors is there a brand I can pick up from Masters or Bunnings that has the option for a more advanced system and longer wiring lengths to cover the distance between the strips on each shelf?

I know IKEA's system allows you to run 4 strips or sets of strips off one AC adaptor but as the local IKEA is about 7 hours away thats not really an option.