One of our goals in our ongoing whole-house reno project is to make it so that we’re never walking in the dark to get to a light switch (rural area – pitch black at night). We made extensive use of LED strip lighting in the toe-kick of kitchen cabinets and in other places in adjacent rooms, all of which is turned on with two three-way switches. When we’re working in the kitchen the main lights are on, but we leave the LED “ambient lighting” on almost all the time at this time of year, except when we go to bed (it can be a bit grey here in the Pacific Northwest in winter). If we’re watching TV in another room we can walk into the kitchen and get something without needing to put on the main lights. And first thing in the morning when I’m making coffee the ambient lighting is all that I turn on.

We're glad that we did the work to put these in. They're very useful to us at this time of year. I suggest to get dimmable power supplies so you can find the right light level.

All of the strips lights, aluminum channels , diffusers, power supplies, etc. came from here:
https://www.leevalley.com/en-us

Chris

 

LED strips need a special power supply called a driver. These days, they are usually 12V or 24V constant current supplies.



Most LED strips that come on reels can be cut to length every few inches. They come in various levels of light output (lumens), and color temperatures, so think about how much light you'll need. There are also big differences in the quality level. In general, you get what you pay for.



For under the cabinet lights, you'll want to mount them in an aluminum extrusion to help protect them from dirt, dissipate the heat and lengthen the life of the LEDs.



For something like under your desk, where you probably don't need them to be on all the time, a battery powered LED light might suffice.



Here's one source. https://www.superbrightleds.com/


You can also find lots of stuff on Amazon.

 

Spools of LED tape are readily availible,
If you shop around they can be quite cheap
And you can graft almost any type of regulated power supply on.
LED drivers are preferred but not escentual.
all easy ? whats your problem ?

 

I purchased a spool of 12V LEDS off eBay for $16 and a 12V supply to light up a German shrunk...the LED spool was set up to cut to length. But, and this is important, I had to calculate how much current would be required to drive the LEDs before I selected the 12V supply...if you go this route, we can help with selecting the power supply.
Still have quite a few LEDs left over and plan on using them under the kitchen cabinets...

 

What do you mean aluminium extrusion?

Do you mean an aluminum channel like a aluminum wall shelf track?

 

What do you mean aluminium extrusion?

Do you mean an aluminum channel like a aluminum wall shelf track?

The aluminum extrusions are a channel that you mount the LED strips in. They act as a heat sink to carry away the heat the LED generates, as well as protect it from dirt and physical damage.

Although LEDs generate much less heat than an incandescent bulb, they do get hot enough that the heat will shorten their life if it doesn't dissipate.

You can also put clear or translucent covers on the extrusions. The translucent covers will diffuse the light so that you don't see rows of bright LED dots reflected in a counter top or backsplash.

https://www.flexfireleds.com/klus

 

attached a pic of part of my lighting...peel and stick backing...

 

I am all for adding LED lighting where ever needed. About a year ago I started using a LED head lamp. Wow talk about amazing. Hands free light where ever you need it. I now use a Craftsman rechargeable I am real happy with. Stays with my tools at all times.

 

Where do you plan to locate your AC adapters, and what type do you plan to use?

 

I bought an 8-pack of Barrina 4' LEDs from Amazon. I'm replacing 7 Florescent fixtures. As power was already in place I didn't have that complication.
Be warned though - LEDs are colder (bluish) lights, and (at a guess) will be 20/30% brighter. No heat gain that I can feel and dirt cheap to run.
Most that I've encountered (3rd set I've gotten and installed) have built in transformers and what I'm going to call "international" wiring so you'll have to translate to US practice. Not hard but extra work.
Most annoying thing? For residential lighting get "warm white". And the funny tripod plug in not that readily available in Florida.