What LED strip lighting for shelves?

[DarkBaron]

Hi,

I have a shelf in my study area and I am looking to add some led lighting on the shelves. What LED strips could I use and how would I go about doing this?

What extensions, drivers, power adaptor would i need? Will I need diffusers? Ideally trying to connect all the shelf lighting to 1 Power adaptor and preferably physical remote control operated. App control is a bonus.

I am attaching a picture of my shelf.

Thanks

[AlanM52]

Hi @DarkBaron,

You can modify regular RGB LED strip lights (from series) by cutting them into sections (one for each shelf) and connect in parallel to run off the one power supply, but you will need some DIY skills and electronics tools.

Each shelf LED strip has one of those and all of them are connected in parallel using terminal blocks to a 4 wire flat cable running down one corner of the shelf unit that connects to the power supply.

Cheers

[MitchellMc]

Hi @DarkBaron,

It's fantastic to see that @AlanM52 has already offered some helpful advice.

What I'd suggest is using a LightWorks 10 m RGB + white LED kit. I'm extremely impatient when I have an idea like this I typically want it done that same day.

You can start at the top shelf and run the strip across the top, then down the back of the upright bracket, across the next shelf, and continue in a zigzag pattern down the shelves, running it along the underside and down the legs. This way, you can use one kit to light up the whole shelving unit.

Where the LED strip runs down the uprights, you’ll get a glow along the bracket. To prevent that, simply cover those sections of the strip with black electrical tape to block the light.

This approach avoids the need to cut strips and join them between shelves, making it much simpler for a DIY-friendly installation while keeping a neat look. You’ll also be able to control it via the included remote or with app control.

If you can see the LEDs directly, you’ll need a diffuser. Otherwise, you can hide the LEDs under the front lip of the shelf or in the middle of the shelf, so the light is indirect and softer. 

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

[DarkBaron]

@AlanM52 @MitchellMc ,

Thank you for the recommendations. I like to take my time and do a neat job with these sort of setups especially as this is in my study area. I plan on using the produtct recommended by @MitchellMc  and using the setup provided by @AlanM52  (Besides learning new things is part of the fun).

I may post a few followup questionson in this thread once I do some research over the weekend.

Thanks

[DarkBaron]

@AlanM52 @MitchellMc 

I purchased the Lytworx 10m RGB And White LED Strip Light however it has this XLR connector end? How would I connect this to the splitter cable?

Thanks

[AlanM52]

Hi @DarkBaron,

I am searching for 'DMX Female line plug solder type' or 'DMX Female line plug to 4 wire bare ends' but can't find anything which is odd.

I suggest you cut off the LED strip DMX connector.

Do the same for the power supply connector.

 

Prep both ends.

And join with a terminal block.

Cheers

[JacobZ]

Hi @DarkBaron,

Unfortunately, I am not aware of an adaptor you could use for this purpose.

Allow me to tag @R4addZ, @MikeTNZ and @CSParnell to see if they have any knowledge they can offer.

Jacob

[CSParnell]

@DarkBaron Ideally this would be the best/easiest option to bring all shelves down to 1 power supply, make sure your PS can handle the total load.

Honestly with undershelf lighting or under desk I have found in the past I had all good intentions to change the style or sequence frequently end the end I just set and forgot so paying the extra for app control I would bother you can always add a smart plug to automate turning on and off.

[DarkBaron]

Thanks @AlanM52  for your advice. I will post some pics once completed over the next few weeks.

[DarkBaron]

@JacobZ @CSParnell  Thank you to you both for the advice. Given these are just shelf lights, I decided to do away with the RGB and instead stick with the CCT version. Have ordered some parts in as unfortunately they were not readily available at bunnings. I have decided to stick with 1 PSU and 1 Driver.

It is my intention to post some pictures of the project once completed over the next few weeks.