LED flexible strip lights under kitchen wall units.

lindos90

Anyone used flexible LED strips under kitchen wall units? We have seen them in a couple of kitchen showrooms, but they have been sold in a big kit, which would have much more in it than we need (and be much to expensive!). Ive seen lengths of flexible LED lights for sale (we need 3 meters on all), that can be cut to whatever length you want.

We have planned for lights of some sort and will have a free socket in a cupboard either side of the hob for both runs. My problem is, I have no idea what I need inbetween the LED strips and the sockets! Im guessing it will be some kind of powerpack/supply, but what do I need to be looking for? And how is that fitted into the end of the LED strip when Ive cut it to size?


Help me pimp my kitchen!:o:o

kmmr

Would this do:
http://clearlybuilt.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/dsc_0984.jpg

http://clearlybuilt.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/dsc_0981.jpg

I just got those from Builder Depot in London. About £80 I think, and they are on a wires, attached to a normal plug on the end. The wires were neatly tucked right up against the back of the cupboards and glued/plastered/something'ed in place by the builders.

K

fluffpot

Great idea. Check out https://www.mr-resistor.co.uk for so called 'plug and play' LED's with all you need to get you going. I installed some colour changing ones in my bathroom under a wall hung sink/vanity unit for a bit of fun!

I think https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk also do LED strips, probably a bit cheaper.

LED's need a driver (bit like a transformer) but you can easily mount this in a cupboard or even sit it on top of the wall units

The only thing to watch out for is if you are having a highly reflective work surface (eg black polished) you will see the reflection of the individual LED lights as dots and it looks a bit rubbish.

lindos90

kmmr wrote: »

Would this do:
http://clearlybuilt.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/dsc_0984.jpg

http://clearlybuilt.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/dsc_0981.jpg

I just got those from Builder Depot in London. About £80 I think, and they are on a wires, attached to a normal plug on the end. The wires were neatly tucked right up against the back of the cupboards and glued/plastered/something'ed in place by the builders.

K

Wow, nice kitchen, we are having cream gloss units a bit like that! We are wanting more of a long strip rather than spots though, but thabks for taking the time to link your photos!

lindos90

fluffpot wrote: »

Great idea. Check out www.mr-resistor.co.uk for so called 'plug and play' LED's with all you need to get you going. I installed some colour changing ones in my bathroom under a wall hung sink/vanity unit for a bit of fun!

I think www.tlc-direct.co.uk also do LED strips, probably a bit cheaper.

LED's need a driver (bit like a transformer) but you can easily mount this in a cupboard or even sit it on top of the wall units

The only thing to watch out for is if you are having a highly reflective work surface (eg black polished) you will see the reflection of the individual LED lights as dots and it looks a bit rubbish.

Yes, we are having black quartz, but we did see the reflection in the showroom, all I thought was that I would HAVE to put the strips in place myself to make sure they are absolutley straight, any wobbles would look really bad!

Im more likely to have them on when we are sat eating (kitchen diner), rather than when im prepairing, so hope fully i'll not see the refections much anyway!

lindos90

So, I get a length of this:
http://www.brightstuff.co.uk/?main_page=product_info&cPath=290_292&products_id=736

and a couple of these
http://www.brightstuff.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=290_293&products_id=746

...but I dont see how they go together? Im not sure how the transformer fixes to the strip of lights, and there must be something else that joins the transformer to a plug so im still missing something?:think:

Mankysteve

http://www.clasohlson.co.uk/Product/Product.aspx?id=156990476

For selectable colours.

fluffpot

lindos
The LED's actually give a good light, enough for food preparation which is what most people use under cabinet lights for. But if you are happy with the reflections then go for it! Lighting is all very personal!
The LED's strips I have fitted come in 300mm IIRC lengths and fit together with a set of joining 'pins', plus a pin with a lead for the first one to connect to the power supply.
Fluff

lindos90

Thnks for that Fluff, to be honest we have had a few kitchens over the years, and have never had any lights under the cupboards at all, but after we sw them in a show room we thought they would look really good, and would be nice to have on as 'mood' lighting instead of the ceiling light. I was initilly worried about the reflection too.

I like the fact that its a constant glow all along the units, Im not into these new triangle lights under the units.

Anyway, I guess lighting should be my secondary thought really, we should be having the kitchen delivered tomorrow, and fitted next week, but think the weather has other ideas!

Lube

This thread is almost 2 years old it was bumped up by a spammer today

Happychappy

Oh well thanks to the spammer, just noticed after posting, but still worth the post

I have a 3mtr section of worktop which then goes round a corner, onto a further two metre work top and then a 90cm range cooker, all on one side of the kitchen, on the other side is a three metre section of floor to wall pull outs

I bought 2x five metre led flexible waterproof strips and a transformer, the Led strip can be cut every 3 inches, so I cut each section to fit under the work top, around an inch back so fully hidden and fits above the cupboard doors, I then cut a strip for under the range cooker and a further strip under the pull outs, all were connected by simple solder joints to thin wiring, similar to 12v car wiring? All connected to a 12v transformer, which is plugged in under a cupboard with a spur leading up to a switch above the work top

When switched on the whole kitchen is lit in a beautiful hidden light, flowing down hidden from under the work top, pull outs and range, it is really something and so consistent, plus around 35 watts, remains totally cold and fitted under the wooden work tops with 3m tape

Took a good afternoon, cutting, fitting and soldering, but you really would struggle to find a better effect, so go for it and best of luck