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Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: kiwasabi on January 04, 2013, 08:22:17 pm

Title: Good LED option to backlight 4"x5" artwork?
Post by: kiwasabi on January 04, 2013, 08:22:17 pm
I was wondering if anyone could recommend a good, inexpensive option for backlighting a couple of pieces of artwork on my control panel. The pieces are each about 4"x 5" and will be backlit material sitting behind plexi/lexan. I saw groovygamegear sells single LEDs, but I'm not sure if a couple of those would suffice for fully illuminating the artwork. Would it be better to buy a strip of LEDs? Those seem pricey though. I bought one for my marquee and it cost around $50. Any ideas?
Title: Re: Good LED option to backlight 4"x5" artwork?
Post by: Nephasth on January 04, 2013, 08:30:47 pm
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-Car-White-3528-SMD-3-LEDs-Bulb-Strip-Light-Lamp-Decor-58cm-12V-/181040153368?pt=US_Car_Lighting&hash=item2a26d58318 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-Car-White-3528-SMD-3-LEDs-Bulb-Strip-Light-Lamp-Decor-58cm-12V-/181040153368?pt=US_Car_Lighting&hash=item2a26d58318)
Title: Re: Good LED option to backlight 4"x5" artwork?
Post by: kiwasabi on January 04, 2013, 08:47:38 pm
$1.44 including shipping for 2 of them? Wow! Thanks for finding that. Can it just connect to the control interface for power (I have a KeyWiz Eco)? It says 12V and the KeyWiz only outputs 5V.
Title: Re: Good LED option to backlight 4"x5" artwork?
Post by: Nephasth on January 04, 2013, 08:52:43 pm
Best just to connect it to 12V on your computer's power supply. Yellow wire for +12V and black wire for ground.
Title: Re: Good LED option to backlight 4"x5" artwork?
Post by: kiwasabi on January 04, 2013, 09:26:50 pm
Ah ok. Thanks for the information. Wouldn't have thought about doing that.
Title: Re: Good LED option to backlight 4"x5" artwork?
Post by: darthpaul on January 04, 2013, 11:47:18 pm
If you are planning to light a large area you may want this http://www.ebay.com/itm/Non-waterproof-5M-SMD-3528-LED-Strip-Lights-300-Leds-Indoor-warm-white-12V-LD55-/170965170625?pt=US_String_Lights_Fairy_Lights&hash=item27ce5179c1 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Non-waterproof-5M-SMD-3528-LED-Strip-Lights-300-Leds-Indoor-warm-white-12V-LD55-/170965170625?pt=US_String_Lights_Fairy_Lights&hash=item27ce5179c1)
Title: Re: Good LED option to backlight 4"x5" artwork?
Post by: jammin0 on January 05, 2013, 12:24:37 am
I have used these before.  Ship from china but super cheap and really bright.  If you can solder then you can cut them into 3 light segments and solder on the connectors easily enough.  Probably 6 or 9 would light that up easy.

http://dx.com/p/rgb-multicolored-1-meter-30-led-6w-light-strip-dc-12v-14965 (http://dx.com/p/rgb-multicolored-1-meter-30-led-6w-light-strip-dc-12v-14965)
Title: Re: Good LED option to backlight 4"x5" artwork?
Post by: kiwasabi on January 05, 2013, 02:30:36 am
You guys rock, thanks for all the suggestions. I'll probably just use the first option suggested since that'll be the simplest. 2 strips of those per 4" x 5" piece should work.