JohnG Posted January 1, 2023 Report Share Posted January 1, 2023 Looking at the sticky back LED light tape for under cabinet lighting. Seems you can only get it in generic store brands or nonsense company names direct from China. Are there any reliable brands to buy that I may have missed? The switches on most of them look awful but I can tuck that in the back of a cabinet and wire in a low profile switch somewhere accessible. Or I have space available to set up a separate dc power supply rather than using the included plug/switch. Don’t want to have to use a remote and don’t want multi-color. Temperature change/selection and dimmable would be good though, to get it to my wife’s liking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gee-dub Posted January 1, 2023 Report Share Posted January 1, 2023 I got mine from Lee Valley but they may still be off shore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnG Posted January 1, 2023 Author Report Share Posted January 1, 2023 I’m not opposed to off-shore, I just want a source that’s reliable and decent quality. The private label brands at the big box stores make me nervous because they could change vendors any day and go from good quality to terrible within stock sitting on the shelf. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
legenddc Posted January 1, 2023 Report Share Posted January 1, 2023 On 1/1/2023 at 9:48 AM, JohnG said: I’m not opposed to off-shore, I just want a source that’s reliable and decent quality. The private label brands at the big box stores make me nervous because they could change vendors any day and go from good quality to terrible within stock sitting on the shelf. Not only that but it’s probably the same thing being resold on Amazon/eBay with different labeling. And you can buy it on Alibaba for half price. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark J Posted January 1, 2023 Report Share Posted January 1, 2023 My experience with low cost LED's in general (admittedly from some years ago) is that they will loose significant intensity in the first 100 hours or so. Also, I have my doubts about the longevity of the adhesive backing. So, me, I would think of tape lights as consumables. If you're not committed to the idea of tape lights, actual fixtures might offer some higher quality options? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnG Posted January 1, 2023 Author Report Share Posted January 1, 2023 I’m happy to spend money on it for quality lights, I don’t want the bulky fixtures in set widths that never seem to correspond with the width of my cabinets. Most of those are just cheap sheet metal boxes with a diffusing cover over these same LED strips, anyway. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drzaius Posted January 1, 2023 Report Share Posted January 1, 2023 I've installed hundreds of feet of the Lee Valley LED tape and have never had a problem with it. Color uniformity is good. Be sure to use the aluminum extrusion to mount the tape in. Just sticking it to wood or plaster will shorten the life of the LEDs. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BonPacific Posted January 1, 2023 Report Share Posted January 1, 2023 Adafruit is probably the best name brand/store for this kind of thing, though they cater primarily at electronics hobbyists. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkinneb Posted January 1, 2023 Report Share Posted January 1, 2023 I did extensive research on this when I did the theater and never did find anything more than most come from China. In the end I went with the best reviewed product on Amazon and have had no issues. I did use staples to hold mine as like mentioned above didn’t think the adhesive would hold long term. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted January 2, 2023 Report Share Posted January 2, 2023 @drzaius has a good point. LED circuits can generate more heat than most people realize. Sticking the to the aluminum track helps dissipate the heat and greatly extend their life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnG Posted January 2, 2023 Author Report Share Posted January 2, 2023 Yes, planning to use aluminum channels for heat dissipation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G Ragatz Posted January 3, 2023 Report Share Posted January 3, 2023 We had under-cabinet LED tape lights installed in our new-construction home 6 years ago. Very happy with it - no problems so far. Product is from WAC Lighting: https://www.waclighting.com/category-landing/indoor-led-tape/? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
legenddc Posted January 3, 2023 Report Share Posted January 3, 2023 Dang, those lights are expensive! I was thinking of getting some LED strip lights for our deck rail. I already have a transformer for it but hadn't thought of the aluminum track for heat dissipation. JohnG - whatever you get please let us know how it works. I have a row of cabinets I'd like to install some lights under. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted January 4, 2023 Report Share Posted January 4, 2023 Wonder how this sort of product compares? https://www.noveltylights.com/led-neon-flex Marc mentioned this place in a recent Woodtalk episode. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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