Basement lighting.
I got this idea of using LED's to replace my fluorescent lights by an article in the NMRA March, 2019 magazine.
First, I had to test what I planned on doing before installation. Another railroader suggested that I video tape under these light conditions as some LED's do not record easily. I videoed the coil of LED's and all looked good on that aspect of the test.
This picture shows the parts to be tested.
I had to connect 110 volts to the 30 amp power source. This power source has 1-9 screw terminals (left to right). 1-6 is 12.2 volts output. 1-3 is the positive, 4-6 is ground and 7-9 is 110 input with 7 being ground. I used a 2 wire with ground. The 110 volt input stranded wires were soldered and then bent into a U and securely screwed (wire on clockwise) onto 7-9 terminals to insure they would not come out. There is a plastic cover over the terminal strip to protect them. Since this power unit is connected where all power is shut off with one switch, no on/off toggle was used. This unit has a fan so it needs to be placed where there is adequate ventilation.
A remote voltage controller is being used so that had to be tested. That came with a 110 volt converter, a two output receiver and a remote.
Last are the fifteen 5 meter strips of LED's (I got warm white).
Power unit with 110 input and 12 volt output.
For the remote voltage controller, I cut off the plug that goes to the receiver and connected it to one of the 12 volt terminals on the power unit. No instructions came with the remote so some testing had to be done. The receiver has two output plugs and an antenna (center in picture). Of the 4 pin outlet, I found the far left pin is the hot (also marked on the plug) and the rest are ground, thus I can connect, at minimum, three 5 meter LED strips to each plug giving a total of 6 LED strips per remote. I have 4 remotes.
The remote keypad has multiple keys. I'm only using white LED's so I only need ON, OFF, increase brightness and decrease brightness. These functions all tested OK. The keypad uses a disk shaped battery which is already in the remote. There is a thin piece of clear plastic that is pulled out so the battery can engage the remote.
LED's on the lowest brightness setting.
LED's on the brightest setting.
Next: getting strips of thin wood to mount the LED's to the ceiling.
