Heat shrink tubing for rgb strips

[SteveMaris]

Has anyone tried using clear heat shrink to cover non -waterproof rgb strips?

[SteveMaris]

I guess no one has...
Ok well, I will share my thought process on this one. (Keep in mind I am as cheap as they come, and always looking to save a buck)

The resin coated strips are not good in rough weather IMO.
The best strips to use are the silicone sleeved ones.
The cheapest price I can find for dumb strips silicone sleeved are about 24.00 each. (150 led 5050)
The cheapest non waterproof strips are 13.00
I found a 100 ft roll of 1/2 inch clear heat shrink for 24.00
100 feet will cover six 5M strips.
13 for strip, 4 for heat shrink, 17 total.
Save 42 dollars for six strips and buy another MR 16

[LtKadeo]

Have used it to seal ends - one problem is the strip my curl up the other is it may be vary hard to flex - just some thoughts...
Ted K

[JonB256]

Steve, I've never seen heat shrink that cheap before, so I was thinking it would actually cost more than the silicone sleeve.

Share the vendor?

[SteveMaris]

I didn't think I could get it this cheap either, hence the wheels turning in my head...

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[chrisatpsu]

once you get the strips, then try to put the tubing on, after struggling with it, you'll wish you just bought the waterproofed strips.

[Jeffl]

I'm thinking 1/2" is not big enough. I have some 1/2 black but no strips.  I have some 3/4 or 1" I forget what it is that I use on 1/2" rope light for blacking it out.

Check the size otherwise your going to have a lot of excess heat shrink for ??

[SteveMaris]

I'm thinking 1/2" is not big enough. I have some 1/2 black but no strips.  I have some 3/4 or 1" I forget what it is that I use on 1/2" rope light for blacking it out.

Check the size otherwise your going to have a lot of excess heat shrink for ??

It slides in no problem.
 It actually slides into 1/4 inch.
Here is a pic of it in 1/4 inch.
I would show the 1/2 but I used it up making full wave rectifiers...

[SteveMaris]

The tube came in today. (Fast!) Just following up in case anyone cares.
I am making 8ft sections to outline my house.  I used a piece of wire to pull the strip through to the other side.
To Chris's point, trying to do a 16 ft section would require two people and probably a fish tape.
For shorter sections I think it will work well.
It is not flimsy plastic by any means.
I don't see a need to shrink it down.
On the ends I will use a dab of silicone and then shrink it over the wires.
I am buying another roll...

[SteveMaris]

Correction: I will be shrinking it down. Real nice fit...

[Jeffl]

Pictures make this look like a good option.  Does the light output look the same?

[CaptainMurdoch]

I wonder how well it stands up to UV.  You may want to hang a piece up outside for a while to see if it turns opaque or yellow in the sunlight.  The former might be OK, the later is probably undesirable.

- Chris


- Chris

[SteveMaris]

I wonder how well it stands up to UV.  You may want to hang a piece up outside for a while to see if it turns opaque or yellow in the sunlight.  The former might be OK, the later is probably undesirable.

- Chris


- Chris

That's a good point. I will stick a piece outside tomorrow.
Jeff, they wont affect the light at all. (just tested)

[keitha43]

I wonder how well it stands up to UV.  You may want to hang a piece up outside for a while to see if it turns opaque or yellow in the sunlight.  The former might be OK, the later is probably undesirable.

- Chris


- Chris

That would be my concern as well. I would leave it outside a couple of months before shrinking it down in case it has to be removed later.

[kernal]

Genius!  How close are you to the quad cities?  I shall buy you a beer!   Lol...   great idea!