High CRI LED strips: recommended suppliers/makes? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: Whales
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2019, 06:38:46 am
content: Im looking to provide my father with some better workbench lighting. I want to try something better than the cheap LED strips I'm used to.Can anyone recommend some entry-point (or otherwise worthwhile) high-CRI led strips?Does the slightly-less-cheap stuff on eBay that claims to be high CRI actually deliver, or should it be avoided entirely? I notice a distinct lack of specs and model numbers.Scale: 2-5m of strip, budget $100. I'd prefer to buy multiple types so I can compare them. PSU is outside scope, I can handle that bit.I've never tried anything high-CRI, so I'm happy with anything that's a noticeable improvement. If this experiment doesn't pan out I'll probably go for a chain of traditional lightbulb sockets holding halogens, but this isn't as convenient in the long term (replacements, etc).

author: A Hellene
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2019, 10:08:12 am
content: V-TAC High Lumen LED Strip(EAN code: 3800157610094):Characteristics:SMD 5730 LED Strip, 120 LED/m, 12VDC, 1.5A/m, 150lm/W, 3000lm/m flux, CRI>95, 8mm width, 3000/4500/6000°K color temperature, color stability < 6, >20 000 hrs lifespan, retail price ~€45 per 5m roll.Not sure, though, if it can be purchased outside of Europe...-George

author: SteveyG
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 24, 2019, 10:26:46 am
content: V-TAC is generally rubbish, we've seen 75%+ failure rates on most of the panel lights and GU10 lamps. Hope you have better luck with the tape

author: A Hellene
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2019, 10:45:48 am
content: I have not installed it yet, so, I cannot have an opinion on the V-TAC brand reliability.Thanks for that piece of information, though.-George

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2019, 11:01:37 am
content: I still liked Yuji as a company, but just to be fair they are not 100% reliable either.I had 2x 50W Yuji 5600k emitters die due to bond wire failure within a year.

author: Whales
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2019, 11:24:28 pm
content: V-TAC:Looks nice, OK price. Actually a reasonable lumens/w, so it looks like they're not overdriving the things.Suppliers are indeed an issue, looks like I can't (easily) get this in Australia. I might try ringing element14 because the cpc farnell site (UK) has some in stock.Yugi:Looks to be the most expensive/best quality option. They actually ship to Aus (rather than using a distributor sales model). Unfortunately it's minimum 80USD for 5m of strip + shipping, so I'd prefer to see if there are any other worthwhile options before committing.

author: Whales
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2019, 11:42:42 pm
content: Good point. If they own the whole stack then it shows they care.

author: Audioguru
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 25, 2019, 12:26:43 am
content: I am surprised that the LED light strips need a good night's sleep to keep the warranty valid.

author: Whales
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 25, 2019, 01:55:27 am
content: @blueskull: apologies. Owning any part of the stack (more than just assembly) is indeed much better.Warranty on V-tac (cropped from shot above):That's interesting. Is this just for lifetime hours calculations, or is there an actual physical reason (eg phosphor chemical recovery)? It can't be thermal, the thermal mass of LED strips is so small that they reach about max temp in a time period much shorter than hours.

author: Whales
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 25, 2019, 02:01:33 am
content: Quote from: blueskull on March 25, 2019, 01:58:01 amIt makes the company look like they care about their product. They have put more investment into it, they've not a fly-by-night that will dump the product/name and run away if there are major faults in it.Hopefully, at leastI'm open for more suggestions if anyone has any.

author: Whales
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 25, 2019, 02:03:44 am
content: Stating something that wasn't true.