DIY LED Safe lighting

4151 Views 17 Replies 14 Participants Last post by Parashooter, Nov 30, 2011

Parashooter

Discussion Starter · Nov 18, 2010

Here's tonights project... I was wandering around Big Lots earlier today, and came across 35 LED white xmas light strings for $4. 10' long.

Hit Home depot on the way home, small bag of zip-ties, a couple bags of self-stick wiring mounts, and 10' of 1/4" vinyl tubing.

I was going to use spiral wrap, but they didn't have any. The tubing Is probably not necessary, but I wanted the thin wires protected - and - the tubing will help keep the wiring tucked away....

Stuck the wire mounts inside the safe, behind the door frame, so the LED's are out of the way and pretty much out of sight.

I did have to loop a section to clear the hinge.

Still have to get a door switch and wiring out the back (already has a hole) and it works nicely!!

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Paté

· #2 · Nov 18, 2010

How bright is it? I recently bought a set of the 6 undercounter halogen light sets from Lowes and installed them. Easy install and the touch dimmer makes it nice and bright. Best $35.00 I ever spent.

Captain Will

· #3 · Nov 18, 2010

That has a vey cool, sci-fi/futuristitic "tactical" look!

I used incandescent rope light that runs around under each shelf on the left, and a "hockey puck" style incandescent light on the right.

My only problem is that thos self-stick cable tie bases tend to pop off once in a while, maybe you won't have that pronlem since heat seems to aggravate it and your LEDs will run cooler. Also, the bottoms of my shelves are particle board which adhesive does not stick to all that well. I need to get out some epoxy one of these days.

I got the rope light on ebay for six buck and the hockey puck light and dimmer was about 20. I have been looking at LED but the LED strips i have found so far are a bit pricey.

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psydaddy

· #4 · Nov 18, 2010

What a great idea. Everytime you open the safe it feels like Christmas!!!

Dov

Parashooter

Discussion Starter · #5 · Nov 18, 2010

It's not super birght, but it does make things much better! The lights are pretty much hidden so it's not so much a christmas tree look... I did see an LED rope light for a few bucks more, but I figured I'd try the cheaper way and see how it worked.

The halogen/incandescant lighting I don't like for the safe for a couple reasons,
1-they get hot, especially the halogen pucks. and can melt/burn things if they stay on in a closed safe (put your hand on TOP of the shelf the puck is under!)

2- They get hot, when they shut off could create a condensation problem - RUST!

For the particle board, you just need to get a coat of primer/paint on and the 'stick' should stick...

longislandar

· #6 · Nov 18, 2010

Great job.

Paté

· #7 · Nov 18, 2010

Parashooter said:
It's not super birght, but it does make things much better! The halogen/incandescant lighting I don't like for the safe for a couple reasons,
1-they get hot, especially the halogen pucks. and can melt/burn things if they stay on in a closed safe (put your hand on TOP of the shelf the puck is under!)

I agree they do get hot, but the trade off is brightness. I normally use them on the lowest setting and it's not too bad.

Worst case is I can always cook my turkey in there if the oven breaks.

The Robfather

· #8 · Nov 18, 2010

like my humidors. rope lights.

Babaloo

· #9 · Nov 30, 2011

Looks great! Im going to stop at Home depot on my way home.

cjj

· #10 · Nov 30, 2011

Nice touch.

Parashooter

Discussion Starter · #11 · Nov 30, 2011

Babaloo said:
Looks great! Im going to stop at Home depot on my way home.

Forget Home Depot - go to Big Lots!.... They have Christmas stuff in, they have the LEDs that I got, and they also have LED Rope lights too... which might be easier if they fit your situation (the rope was too thick for the space I was filling)

super cheap there too... if you go the way I did with the light string, well then you'll need to stop at H-D.

Walker1847

· #12 · Nov 30, 2011

Amazon, Amazon, Amazon.....
5 Meter Reel Warm White 3100k Flexible LED Ribbon 300 Leds 16 ft
http://www.amazon.com/Flexible-LED-...4?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1322660379&sr=1-4
Be sure to read the first review for additional info.....
or
Flexible Light Strip 300 SMD Bright White LED Ribbon 5 Meter or 16 ft
http://www.amazon.com/Flexible-Strip-Bright-LED-Ledwholesalers/dp/B002QQ1YOM/ref=pd_bxgy_hi_text_c

acamato

· #13 · Nov 30, 2011

Ikea also has inexpensive LED lighting

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/categories/departments/living_room/20515/

s0okz

· #14 · Nov 30, 2011

I just bought some "tap lights" from bed bath and beyond. They have velcro attachment and they even have an auto on feature if ambient light is detected.

Sgt Squid

· #15 · Nov 30, 2011

Did mine using 12' rope kit from home depot as well as an extension cord with an added in line switch and securing it with RG6 mounting clips. It adds just the right amount of light when mounted around the perimeter of the door.

sigequinox220

· #16 · Nov 30, 2011

Sorry to hijack guys, but I'm moving into my first apartment soon and will be getting a safe....my question is, what is the power source for these lights?

carguy110

· #17 · Nov 30, 2011

ahesse1488 said:
Sorry to hijack guys, but I'm moving into my first apartment soon and will be getting a safe....my question is, what is the power source for these lights?

Your standard power outlet. There's usually a hole cut out in the safe for a wire to pass through to run electronics, dehumidifiers, lights, etc.

Parashooter

Discussion Starter · #18 · Nov 30, 2011

Nice find on the amazon strip lights - I jsut found something similar at a custom truck shop, almost flat, I wish I had seen those before!

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