Daniel@R2R
Living the Reef Life
Hey guys, I'm wanting to install lighting in my stand that comes on when I open the door. Any ideas? If you've done something like that, please post pics. Thanks!
Stand lighting ideas?
- Thread starter Daniel@R2R
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For my new build I'm going to order a strand of water proof, flexible leds from fleabay, attach them to the top, then use magnetic door sensors (also fleabay) and wire those to my apex.
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Daniel@R2R
Living the Reef Life
Thanks for the idea. I don't have an Apex, but I am thinking about trying something like using a magnetic switch like this: https://www.oznium.com/magnetic-switch
With an LED strip like this: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60192355/
Or this: http://www.lightinthebox.com/waterp...0v_p2256319.html?category_id=4646&prm=1.4.1.1
Since I know nothing about electricity, I am hoping someone can tell me how to pull this off without blowing anything up or burning anything down. LOL
If you scroll to the bottom of the switch URL you posted, it shows the wiring sequence. Looks like it just needs a power and ground. so maybe a standard socket? this is where I'm lost too. lol.
https://www.oznium.com/magnetic-switch
https://www.oznium.com/magnetic-switch
This is the same one I was looking at on the auction site.
http://www.lightinthebox.com/waterp...0v_p2256319.html?category_id=4646&prm=1.4.1.1
http://www.lightinthebox.com/waterp...0v_p2256319.html?category_id=4646&prm=1.4.1.1
In fact, I used those leds in an 8' stand I built for a tat shop. it only went around the inside once and it was plenty bright.
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Daniel@R2R
Living the Reef Life
Yep! That's what I'm HOPING I'm right about. LOL I just figure it's best to double check to avoid burning anything up.
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Daniel@R2R
Living the Reef Life
Pretty slick!In fact, I used those leds in an 8' stand I built for a tat shop. it only went around the inside once and it was plenty bright.
Abusfullofnuns
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The switch you guys are linking is 12v dc based, just a FYI. I also noticed the led was an EU plug, I think.
Abusfullofnuns
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^^^ the led from lightinthebox is the European plug
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Daniel@R2R
Living the Reef Life
I had noticed the EU plug (figure I'll need to dig on their site a bit to find the US version). I'm electrically illiterate so I had not noticed the 12v dc concern. Is it unusable bc of that? What kind of switch do I need?
mcarroll
10K Club member
Get any 12v LED and for $7 you can wire in one of these...I'd put it on the door so it gets exposed to "see" you working, rather than inside the stand. This way you can keep the shutoff time nice and short.
For around $4, you can wire one of these into an AC-powered light.
There are a ton of these....floodlights and bulbs even come with these sensors integrated into them if you want.
For around $4, you can wire one of these into an AC-powered light.
There are a ton of these....floodlights and bulbs even come with these sensors integrated into them if you want.
aaronn
Community Member
I'm using a 12 volt based led tape light to light my stand. The led lighting can be found on line or at many 12 volt retailers ( car audio shops). I'm also using a 12 volt magnetic switch to turn lights on when any of my doors open. The switches are from a company called DEI part # 8601. This can also be found at any car audio shop. The wire up is pretty easy. Get a small 12 volt plug in power inverter. I got one from radio shack. The switches should be wired on the ground side of the lighting. Just wire each switch so the ground is completed when the door opens.
mcarroll
10K Club member
BTW, I use a run-of-the-mill T8 aquarium light from a 10 gallon tank hood.
Whoever made those, made them like tanks. The bulbs *never* burn out and the fixtures last even longer. So it got re-purposed behind the tank as a sump work light. I have to manually click it on and off and it's not a fancy color.
Whoever made those, made them like tanks. The bulbs *never* burn out and the fixtures last even longer. So it got re-purposed behind the tank as a sump work light. I have to manually click it on and off and it's not a fancy color.
A local led company quoted me $115 for a 60" strip, power supply and two switches. quite a bit more than DIY. lol.
@mdbannister please check your PM, thanks.
@mdbannister please check your PM, thanks.
jlanger
Well-Known Member
I agree with just getting a "under cabinet light kit" from the hardware store.
The slim LED fixtures are very easy to mount and say put; unlike the LED tape kits.
And you don't need a very big fixture as they'l put out enough light to illuminate the inside of your stand.
I used an old LED strip fixture under my stand and used a magnet switch that was spliced into the wiring for the fixture.
I have the details posted in my build thread (here); with pictures!!
The light has been there for a few years and still works great to this day.
The slim LED fixtures are very easy to mount and say put; unlike the LED tape kits.
And you don't need a very big fixture as they'l put out enough light to illuminate the inside of your stand.
I used an old LED strip fixture under my stand and used a magnet switch that was spliced into the wiring for the fixture.
I have the details posted in my build thread (here); with pictures!!
The light has been there for a few years and still works great to this day.
