LED strip light, what do I need?

[Toffermora]

Evening all,
I am looking at fitting a strip of LEDs under my head height cupboard above my sink/ hob as I need more light over there but I am a bit confused about what I need. I have been looking at websites and from what I can tell I need the strip, a connector to wire it up, and a driver.

Now do I need a dimmer as I have read on here they will last longer if you lower the brightness a bit?

Do I need an aluminium profile to put it in to aid in heat removal or can I just stick it on the underside of the cupboard?

Thanks

 

[nomislotsirb]

Evening all,
I am looking at fitting a strip of LEDs under my head height cupboard above my sink/ hob as I need more light over there but I am a bit confused about what I need. I have been looking at websites and from what I can tell I need the strip, a connector to wire it up, and a driver.

Now do I need a dimmer as I have read on here they will last longer if you lower the brightness a bit?

Do I need an aluminium profile to put it in to aid in heat removal or can I just stick it on the underside of the cupboard?

Thanks

I don't believe a driver is required since they are already 12V. Happy to stand corrected if this changes due to requirement to dim. The profile is suggested for heat dissipation (although a strip of aluminium foil tape is an alternative) but in my opinion the profile offers a neater finish and the diffuser goes some way to avoiding the spotting effect.

 

[drinfinity]

I used something like this, which gives an even light without dotting. It’s very bright if you catch it directly with your eyes, so aluminium channel and diffuser from the same seller gives a softer effect.

12V Professional COB Spotless LED Strip Light, 9w p/m 2700K CRI>90, 2.5 Metre Reel

Energy efficient 12V Spotless COB LED Strip Light, 9w p/m 2700K CRI>90, 2.5M Reel. Next day delivery from UKs No. 1 stockist of LED strip lights.

www.ultraleds.co.uk

You can see them over the kitchen here. They are connected to the 12v supply via an electronic latching relay so I can use more than one push on/push off switches around the vehicle. About 10W/m so use appropriately sized supply cables. They are earthed to a body earth point to reduce total cable length.

CandyVan conversion journey

Cabinets installed

www.t6forum.com

 

[Toffermora]

Thanks that what I am looking at doing, did you use a driver as well?

 

[drinfinity]

Thanks that what I am looking at doing, did you use a driver as well?

No, it was a 12v strip and it is just on the leisure battery 12v supply.