Practical Rope Lighting
Determine where you want to use it based on ... Most if not all rope lights are for both indoor and outdoor use. However, this is best to check before the purchase. (Also, some manufacturers developed different products based on those different uses.) Determine suitability based on voltage in general As a general rule use:
Determine voltage in more detail Outdoor
volumes Accenting (home, boat) Decorating
(highlight edges and outlines of things, light up trees) Because
there is a whole lot more about usage and other things on For even
brighter outlines and just bright illuminations (building, deck, window
etc.) Low
voltage
Tips: For decorative purposes, if you want to accent
the outlines of your home, emphasise vertical and horizontal lines with
the crisp lights of mini LED rope lights. These are your available choices in
general:
Neon ropes are now used where
neon lighting was an obvious choice before. And the energy usage
of a typical (incandescent) rope should be only a fraction
of your old neon light. But if you go for LED neon, your energy
consumption (and your power bill) should be even lower than that. Preparation Check Check if your product is UL listed. (Underwriters Laboratories Inc. UL is the trusted source across the globe for product compliance.) Plan (or not) for the lenght you need Plan it before and measure the size you want or cut and connect as you go. But, observe maximum allowable lengths. (Note: Be prepared that you will connect-as-you-go in awkward hard to measure places.) Cut and connect - but how ... ? Standard low voltage and LED Check cut length before cutting. Count to unit size. Cut spools. Use connector to connect kits. (Do not cut kits.) Standard high voltage Cut long spools, connect short spools. LED Use splice connector and end caps (based on wire type) For typical cut length units relevant to your job refer: All low voltage 12 volt light ropes (non LED) 12 volt LED ropes All high voltage 120 volt light ropes (non LED) 120 volt LED ropes TOP What else you need ... ? You might need to use with your rope light: Acessories: Cutter or utility knife. The cleanest cut comes from a designated rope cutter. Ask you retailer. Controller Depending on what effect you want to achieve you might need a controller also. (See below under operation.) Power accessories Converter, Adapter, Battery (for battery operated ropes) Fixing accesories Use mounting track for straight position, or clips for in a bent configuration. Winder Tip: This is the smartest winder I found anywhere. Recommended for all kinds of ropes and cables, (I haven't used it for a light rope. but I think they could be quite good for that.) Investigate it here: Quickwinder, movies: http://www.quickwinder.com/video.html TOP Operation Controller As a rule the following patterns may be achievable, so check the controller you buy (patterns applies to both LED and non-LED): Mini chasing controller: typically allows variable chasing speed, single dial operation, maximum run 24' (foot.) High end chasing controller: variable chasing speed, multi dial, maximum run 150' (foot) and max load of 8 Amper. Functions a good chasing controller should handle:
Flickering If you use a light rope from so called super bright LED and you need a converter, it is recommended that you use an anti-flicker converter. Air temperature Often overlooked, but it is fairly important. Typically, the recommended air temperature for LED ropes is the same as for incandescent rope lights: The range is between minus 4 degrees to plus 122 degrees Fahrenheit. Rope light installation guide: http://www.nidagroup.com/specialtylighting/RopeInstallation.html For specifics on various rope lights, including how they compare to LED look up my separate pages on light ropes. Back
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