Dan Hintz
12-13-2007, 8:31 AM
I've noticed a few threads (here and on other sites) from people using the cheap LED light strings to light up their plexiglass projects. For personal use this is not much of an issue, but please be careful when using them to light up projects for customers (at least ones you might want repeat or word-of-mouth business from).
If the LEDs are socketed (and not directly soldered to the wire), you're going to run into issues in as little as a year. The wires are standard copper, but the LED frames are made from aluminum. Any electrician worth his salt out there knows you can't mix aluminum and copper wiring without special connectors (at least if you expect it to continue working for a long period of time).
I've already had reports from several friends who purchased LED lights last year that the galvanic reaction between the two metals is causing them to rust. Needless to say, two of them that attached them permanently to their houses (because "They're LEDs, they'll never burn out in my lifetime") are none too happy about this. Imagine how unhappy your customers might be when your lit acrylic awards and signs decide to stop lighting about this time next year.
So, if you must include the cheap strings, make sure you get ones that are not socketed... but please don't whine if a bulb fails and you have to cut/solder the string to replace it ;)
If the LEDs are socketed (and not directly soldered to the wire), you're going to run into issues in as little as a year. The wires are standard copper, but the LED frames are made from aluminum. Any electrician worth his salt out there knows you can't mix aluminum and copper wiring without special connectors (at least if you expect it to continue working for a long period of time).
I've already had reports from several friends who purchased LED lights last year that the galvanic reaction between the two metals is causing them to rust. Needless to say, two of them that attached them permanently to their houses (because "They're LEDs, they'll never burn out in my lifetime") are none too happy about this. Imagine how unhappy your customers might be when your lit acrylic awards and signs decide to stop lighting about this time next year.
So, if you must include the cheap strings, make sure you get ones that are not socketed... but please don't whine if a bulb fails and you have to cut/solder the string to replace it ;)