First LED Strip Frustration

[Spinny]

Just testing first LED strip - see photo.

Just annoyed that the kitchen fitter cut the profile slot in the centre of the shelf depth without asking. Really wanted the strip not far from the front of the shelf so it actually illuminates what is on the shelf from the front.

 

Is it remotely possible to rout a shelf panel from underneath while it is insitu ?

 

 

[Nickfromwales]

50 minutes ago, Spinny said:

Just testing first LED strip - see photo.

Just annoyed that the kitchen fitter cut the profile slot in the centre of the shelf depth without asking. Really wanted the strip not far from the front of the shelf so it actually illuminates what is on the shelf from the front.

 

Is it remotely possible to rout a shelf panel from underneath while it is insitu ?

 

 

Less shadows the way it is now.

[Andeh]

If you do manage to route out a new one, having two strip lights is even less shadows!!

 

Surely the self adhesive ones only sit a few mm proud, and would never be seen unless you stick your head in the cupboard?

[Spinny]

9 hours ago, Nickfromwales said:

Less shadows the way it is now.

Valid point.

I am not a fan of the rear shelf lighting often installed as I always feel it silhouettes whatever is on the shelf rather than illuminating it. You always light a picture from above but in front. The front book cover is illuminated but the spines are in shadow. The dotted thing is lit at the top but not on the front face.

 

The other annoyance is now well lit - the three holes top right and left. The 'shelf unit' is only a wall unit without doors so it comes with holes for wall mounting predrilled in the back panel - nobody tells you in the showroom discussions of course. There are some grommets but I have kept some waste offcuts in the hope of drilling my own matching plugs.

Edited 9 hours ago by Spinny

[Nickfromwales]

You could buy a decor end panel, or squeeze the “designer” for a free one, and line the rear of the cabinet. 

[Spinny]

1 hour ago, Andeh said:

If you do manage to route out a new one, having two strip lights is even less shadows!!

 

Surely the self adhesive ones only sit a few mm proud, and would never be seen unless you stick your head in the cupboard?

Good points. The two strip lights is interesting. The fitter had somehow dissassembled the shelf unit when he routed the existing profile recess. So maybe I could persuade him to disassemble again (if he hasn't glued it up) and rout a second channel further forward and have 2 strip lights. That is if he doesn't rout me a new ****hole for being such a PITA.

 

[-rick-]

1 hour ago, Spinny said:

That is if he doesn't rout me a new ****hole for being such a PITA.

 😆

 

Offering more money will generally solve this problem. Disassembly would likely be quicker if no glue. But this could be done in place, though likely requiring a lot more time and some manual chiselling.

 

Before you do that though, I think what you've got looks fine. If you have a strip near the front you are far more likely to see it and it may have some unwanted wash onto the floor that looks weird*. Maybe live with it for a while and if still not happy then mock up something so you can see the difference.

 

Generally, when I've seen people do good looking front illumination they do it with 45 mounted strips aimed inside the unit mounted on face frames or strengthening bars (not sure if that the right name). Doesn't look like your units have been designed for that.

 

* Looks like even now you could likely benefit from a more directional lens on the strip (or maybe you haven't fitted it yet).

Edited 7 hours ago by -rick-

[Spinny]

Well here is another pic.

The strip is in a shallow recessed alu profile with a press in diffuser cover. I haven't pushed the cover on properly at one end in case I needed to remove it again - which I will - as I havn't taken the self adhesive backing off yet to adhere it to the inside of the profile. (I am pondering whether to use this COB CCT strip, or whether to use an addressable COB CCT strip (for say spot light or twinkling effects), or indeed an addressable COB RGBCCT dual IC strip (for truly vomit inducing xmas light shows - all these strips give out light across 180deg). I guess the light spread will be narrower by virtue of the profile depth restricting it when I stick it down. Did notice the light spreads down onto the floor below leaving a shadow of the shelf. You do also get the sort of hot spot light effect at either end of the strip onto the side panel. If I cut the strip shorter or used addressable strip and turned off the end 'pixels' I guess I could do away with this.

 

Obviously not put my Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, Shakespeare etc on the shelf yet 🤪

 

 

Edited 1 hour ago by Spinny

[-rick-]

Not sure if this was specifically at me or the thread in general. I'm not sure that photo adds anything. In real world use you will never be looking at the shelf from this angle (unless maybe deep cleaning it or you enjoy sitting on the floor).

 

Yes, I can see that the spines of the books aren't as well illuminated as they would be if lit from the front but I'd guess it's good enough (and I doubt you'll be hunting for the right book in a pitch black room with the exception of the led strip)

 

Earlier I said it didn't look like you were setup to do face frames (uncommon in modern European style furniture) but I note the exposed particle board. How will that get finished? If you were planning faceframes anyway then there would be no need to route out a channel for led strips near the front. You could just get 45 degree profiles and build the face frames to hide them.

 

That all said, I think you are over thinking about this. It'll be fine as it is and unlike some other things that can not go to plan in a build if you decide later you really don't like it it's not the most difficult thing to change.