So I just watched this guy make his own soft box: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlMtakaa7u8 and got inspired to make my own rgb lighting that I could put around my desk. All the led kits I can find in Sweden are very expensive, and I thought I'd just make my own instead. After some searching around I actually found some LED kits that are complete with PSU, strips and controllers very cheap from ebay, my quetion is, are they any good? Arey they safe? Or will my house catch on fire? Perhaps I should just buy the strip and controller and buy a high quality phone PSU instead and change the connector? Or why coulnd't I just hook it up to the PSU of my computer which is of very high quality?
From my experience they are the same as the store bought ones (but i live in the Balkans...) some work, some don't, but it's cheaper to experiment with those from ebay ;) And don't expect a pure white from the RGB ones, it's more blue-greeinsh... if u want a specific white Definitely check in the store.
Yeah, I've already bought them now, without the power suppply thought, I'd thought I just make a connector between a power sata and laptop connector. Just wondering about the wiring. Yellow is 12V and Black is Ground. The laptop connector has a Black and a Blue/Green wire coming out of it. Am I correct that I should solder the Yellow 12v -->Blue/Green wire and the Black Ground -->Black laptop wire?
Laptop connector? U mean the power brick? Aren't they 19V? i usually use something smaller, like a charger for a phone or router, 12V and enough Amps depending on the length.
I think they're pretty good and safe. Currently running some in my main gaming rig. Really easy to set up. Only complaint is the poor adhesive (this will vary depending on brand of course) so i just used a little bit of hot glue to secure the top one.
it is possible to power from psu, however you may need adaptors, or you can jerry rig according to the voltage required. i run mine off the 5v rail because that is what my controller accepts.
also noteworthy. the color is usually determined by the quality of the controller. in my experience its ok to skimp on the leds, just look for weather proof ones. less risk of shorts and will not kink as easily.
but do not skimp on controller. it can cause a burnout because of improper voltage regulation and possibly lead to a fire hazard. i lost 2metres of led because of this. :(
These are found everywhere. They all have the same cheapo white rgb controller box and ir remote. I have one branded by TaoTronics as ambient lighting behind my monitor and it's been working great for a couple of months now. I paid $23 usd for the remote, a decent length of rgb led strip(still have extras), power supply, and the rgb controller.