specific LEDs :: ip68 digitally addressable 60/m

[[tv:]]

Hello Dusty Companions,

I am on the hunt for a US source of ip68 (cast silicone) waterproof LED strips in 60/m density. I need a dozen 5m rolls.

I already ordered the same quantity of the ip67 (silicone sleeve) strips as a back up, but they just don't offer the same level of protection.

The only place I found the ones I want is pixel pusher and they want $130/roll. Love to get them cheaper.

Any sources? I am going to buy a case of them from China before my next project. I find them to be the best LEDs for durability.

Cheers,

[tv:]

[BBadger]

Lately, I've been buying my LED strips from sellers on AliExpress, who sell them for a fraction of the cost of domestic suppliers. I also expect that most domestic suppliers get them that way too, but perhaps test them before reselling them (or just don't bother). If you send them via DHL they arrive in a few days all the way from China.

Beware that sometimes you get some duds, so be prepared to splice if needed, and get a spare strip if needed. I opened a dispute when two of my strips had faults, and was able to negotiate a refund on one of the strips since I could cannibalize one to fix the other. You also might want to get a bunch at a time so that when you get them all the LEDs came from the same batch. That way you won't get as many color inconsistencies.

I actually like the IP67 ones more than the IP68. They're easier to repair, not as stiff, and I can always patch them up with silicone. It's also a pain to have to scrape out the goop in the IP68 strips, and essentially "burn off" the residue when connecting wires to strips. I just reseal the ends in silicone any time I need to cut them up.

[maladroit]

I find that the fully encapsulated strips often use a type of silicone that quickly degrades in UV light, so your strips will crack and turn yellow eventually. Maybe not after 1 week, but thinking about next year it could be an issue. The ones BBadger mentions have a silicone tube that the strip slides in, this is replaceable if needed.

Your biggest problem is going to be mounting these, you need some kind of bracket. Not much glue or tape sticks to silicone for very long.

[BBadger]

Oh yeah, I remember seeing them turn yellow. I thought they were just old, but I guess it is from the UV degradation.

I never rely on glue to keep the strips on anything. Zip-ties seem to do the job quite nicely though.

[[tv:]]

There are three types of waterproof LED strips:

ip65 smeared on silicone that doesn't hold up well, can flake or crumble
ip67 silicone sleeve that I don't like but easy access to solder
ip68 strongest version which is cast silicone, yellows after a while but stays strong, requires heating to get down to soldering status

ip68 is needed for some of my applications this year. and it's just harder to come by in the US.

[WileE13]

I've noticed the yellowing on water proof RGB strips. Left a bike in the woodshed all year where it was exposed to sunlight, not directly, but still exposed. Turned yellow in six months.