switchg3ar Posted February 25, 2013 Posted February 25, 2013 I am trying to gauge how many of you have issues with dumb RGB strips burning out, or cold solder joins where you lose a color. Essentially I have installed a few hundred feet of rgb strip lights both silicon layer and full tube with silicon injection ip 68. It seems like I have been having a high failure rate where they just dim or are out completely. I even have strips installed indoors with similar issues and its really painful to continuously try different vendors and to repair these strips. Even with Ray's ip 68 strips I am experiencing cold solder joins, 2 out of 4 strips have multiple LEDs out. Weather wise the coldest it gets here 0 to 5 F.
steve synek Posted February 25, 2013 Posted February 25, 2013 I just started with some dumb strips this past Christmas. I have not had a single failure in my very limited use. (I used 7 dumb strips this year.) I really mixed them up just to sample the different kinds. I have IP65, IP67 and IP68.No failures, and generally speaking, I whole lot more stable than CCRs.
Santas Helper Posted February 25, 2013 Posted February 25, 2013 (edited) Even with Ray's ip 68 strips I am experiencing cold solder joins, 2 out of 4 strips have multiple LEDs out. Weather wise the coldest it gets here 0 to 5 F.First welcome to the LOR forum (noticed your first post here). I have 4 dumb strips I used last season and one strip has a 3 LED segment of one color out but it's not a show stopper for me. Too much going on to really notice it.But because of reliability concerns of this type of LED strip, I do not spend the extra money on Rays strips. the 4 strips have been up since before Halloween so I'm happy with the results and the money I paid for the cheapos....and generally speaking, I whole lot more stable than CCRs.From the problems I've heard from others, I agree with ya.maybe later, but not now. Edited February 25, 2013 by Santas Helper
caniac Posted February 25, 2013 Posted February 25, 2013 I am trying to gauge how many of you have issues with dumb RGB strips burning out, or cold solder joins where you lose a color. Essentially I have installed a few hundred feet of rgb strip lights both silicon layer and full tube with silicon injection ip 68. It seems like I have been having a high failure rate where they just dim or are out completely.I even have strips installed indoors with similar issues and its really painful to continuously try different vendors and to repair these strips. Even with Ray's ip 68 strips I am experiencing cold solder joins, 2 out of 4 strips have multiple LEDs out. Weather wise the coldest it gets here 0 to 5 F.add your location to your profile so we have an idea of where you are from, cold weather in Florida is a lot different than say Minnesota or Arizona. that way maybe someone in your area will share there experiences with you.
SteveMaris Posted February 25, 2013 Posted February 25, 2013 I had a slight issue with one of the 5 strips I used this year. It was my fault though.A section inside my coro Merry Christmas sign was sitting in a puddle of water, due to poor waterproofing. other than that, not a single issue.
edvas69 Posted February 25, 2013 Posted February 25, 2013 it appears that all the strip you have used is the IP68 solid silicone type. The issue that i have found with this strip is that in some situation the solid coating can actually cause more issues then it stops because of the thermal differences between the coating and the strip PCB and the actual components, All these thermal differences can cause stress as they thermally heat up and cool down with different rates of thermal movement. This then puts stress on the solder joins which can fail. I would try the silicone tube type, Yes its rated at ip65 but thats more because of the ends of the strip and not the actual tube of the strip, a good dab of silicone on the ends stops any chance of water getting in. You may have more success, if that fails then it will be more a case that the temperatures get so cold that it is way below the disign limits of the components and thats why we have military grade specs to handle those extreme temperatures.
Santas Helper Posted February 25, 2013 Posted February 25, 2013 The failures I mentioned earlier where noticed when I recieved them and have not had additional issues since.But then again, I am leaving them in place so keep from further damage.
steve synek Posted February 25, 2013 Posted February 25, 2013 (edited) it appears that all the strip you have used is the IP68 solid silicone type. The issue that i have found with this strip is that in some situation the solid coating can actually cause more issues then it stops because of the thermal differences between the coating and the strip PCB and the actual components, All these thermal differences can cause stress as they thermally heat up and cool down with different rates of thermal movement. This then puts stress on the solder joins which can fail. I would try the silicone tube type, Yes its rated at ip65 but thats more because of the ends of the strip and not the actual tube of the strip, a good dab of silicone on the ends stops any chance of water getting in. You may have more success, if that fails then it will be more a case that the temperatures get so cold that it is way below the disign limits of the components and thats why we have military grade specs to handle those extreme temperatures.Eddy I am under the impression that IP67 is the silicone tube and 65 is encapsulated. Am I wrong? I am confused by the above. Edited February 25, 2013 by steve synek
edvas69 Posted February 25, 2013 Posted February 25, 2013 Eddy I am under the impression that IP67 is the silicone tube and 65 is encapsulated. Am I wrong? I am confused by the above. They vary in their claimed IP ratings some have even rated the tube as IP68. I would personally believe the tube is closer to an ip66 to ip67.Many vendors do not give accurate ratings so its the material used that will help to determine its weather resistance.
scubado Posted February 26, 2013 Posted February 26, 2013 I had a 120 meters of the cheap silicon covered ribbons this year. My ball tree has 100meters of it and ran flawless once it was fully hardwired. My RGB star had solderless connectors that are connectionless in cold weather. One of my flowerbeds has the ribbon and I need to make a repair, my fault stressing it to make a turn. If you use wire ties, don't pull them tight! Heat/cold stresses will cause problems. I do have a couple spots that have one color out, but not really an issue for me at this time. This Spring I'll be building my fourth large flowerbed that will have built in RGB lighting and additional surprises.
switchg3ar Posted February 26, 2013 Author Posted February 26, 2013 it appears that all the strip you have used is the IP68 solid silicone type. The issue that i have found with this strip is that in some situation the solid coating can actually cause more issues then it stops because of the thermal differences between the coating and the strip PCB and the actual components, All these thermal differences can cause stress as they thermally heat up and cool down with different rates of thermal movement. This then puts stress on the solder joins which can fail. That is exactly what I was thinking; here are some of the led strips I have been using: I have about 50 feet of this strip and so far no real issues except near the ends where local dimming of the red color is present. I am guessing it is caused by moisture entering the end caps. http://i875.photobucket.com/albums/ab313/switchg3ar/LED%20Lights/93FE6710-193D-473E-B10C-2C6C91CC5393-8035-000005F65B00EBD9_zps2d6535a4.jpg[/This was the newest strip, tube filled with silicon and it is supposed to be IP68 rated. Still issues with cold solder joins. http://i875.photobucket.com/albums/ab313/switchg3ar/LED%20Lights/AAC579DA-0E10-4806-86C6-71DEB024251C-8035-000005F65DD139FD_zpse6e18c98.jpg[This is what I originally started with 3 years ago but I noticed depending upon the location I have experienced high failure rates due to moisture issues. Essentially local dimming of the color red and in some cases missing leds that have completely died. If I press on the center of the led I can sometimes bring it back. I am just trying to find a brand of strips that I don’t have to worry about.
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