• Build

    Jon Random • 11/23/2018 at 19:59 • 0 comments

    Tubes

    I used 20mm outer and 16mm inner diameter acrylic or plexiglass tubes, 1000mm long(I paid 4.3€ each for them). Since I wanted them to look like fluorescent tubes, they had to be quite translucent. I achieved by first sanding the outside with fine sandpaper, then taping a foil made for windows to them.

    Connectors & Cables

    The end of each tube I capped it with a 3D-printed adaptor with a hole in it for a connector. GX16 aviation connectors are available with different pin counts and are perfect for this application. They normally come in a set with the plug which also provide a strain relief in addition to a ring that screw into the socket.

    I chose the 4 pin version because my strip had 4 pads.

    Finding cheap, flexible and thick inner core cables was a challenge. I decided on ÖLFLEX CLASSIC 110 4G0,75 by Lapp Kabel. I bought 25m and cut it into 5 5m long sections and soldered plugs onto the ends.

    Strip

    It is a non individually addressable strip with 60 LEDs per meter to minimise light gaps. Mounting it to a aluminium strip helps dissipate heat and keeps it from flapping in the breeze. Finally a hotglued 3D-printed spacers to the strip assembly to affix it in the tube. Again I bought 5 meters and cut it into meter long strips.

    Controller

    I stuck the provided strip controller in a 3D-printed box and mounted a GX16 socket in it.