LED Strip Light (Flexible Ribbon) need advice

[Might_B_A_Pike]

I want to add some lights to my 3 man flip over, I am looking at some LED light strips on amazon. They are 16.4’ long, and can be cut down to any size. price is anywhere from $7 and up. I was wondering in anyone out there has a better technical knowledge on the stuff than I do.

I am thinking of cutting it down into 3 strips, 2 for cross bars across the top and one for the cargo area behind the seats.

Is it safe to assume that if they are 12v lights that I can just hook them up to a flasher battery mounted in the sled?

What size and color would be best, there is a 5050 or a 3528? Color choices are cool or warm white.

Any expert opinion on them would be appreciated.

[dan z]

I like my blue led lights I got online. They do goof up your vision for a period of time after your away from them. LEDs have there place when there is an object that they can reflect off of. If there is not a reflection they don't work very well.

[CamozKool]

I'm no expert but I use the firebrite 48 inch strips in both my otters (cottage/Cabin), they put off some good lite, enough to see everything I need to see...

[Chad Holst]

Mite B A Pike, those are the correct lights to use, and yes you can cut them to how ever many sections you want and simply attach them to the battery with clips.

I would get the 5050's and i would go with the clear white, not the soft white. a 3 meter (what your looking at is 3 Meter) strip will light the inside of your small portable like a christmas tree. We planed on using 2 strips to light an entire 8x16+4'V nose perm, and when we testd them it was PLENTY of light. so you will have no problem with those lighting it up. Its a good idea that you are doing them in sections, as it may be too much light.

[Might_B_A_Pike]

Thanks Everyone. I think I will order the 5050's in the waterproof casing.

[38bill]

You can not assume that they are 12V DC, it should state somewhere what they are. The strip lights I used (from the big auction site) came with wire leads on each end so you could cut the strip and get two prewired pieces. If you cut for three pieces you will have to solder on addition wires. Mine are really bright so I added a electronic dimmer. Works great and as the LEDs are dimmed they use less power from the battery.

[Chad Holst]

That is true. Almost all the 3 meter light strips that can be cut mulitple times are 12v, you can get them for 110. Make sure they are 12v. Also on that big action site, for $16-$20 you can get ones with a controller that will dim the lights (and do a million other things...flashing...etcs.) These are nice if you wire them all together and want to turn them down, rather than just turn off a section.

[djt311]

I have the 3528's and a 6ft strip of them lights it up like day time in my Bigfoot Thermal Hub, I put a dimmer switch on them and would recommend that. I would say if you make one as long as you cross bar that would be sufficient. I got the clear light, I also have the blue ones but I do not like those as much