I am looking for a Chinese vendor for ribbon led's (strip led's). I need to buy them in bulk in long (100m-1000m) continuous rolls. All I see advertised is 5m rolls. Does anyone have any experience with a vendor that might be able to provide this? I can provide the specification on request.
Jim
Did you try Ray Wu?
I just sent an email to a vendor I work with in China asking them if they could give me some suggestions. I should have an answer bu morning, but in the meantime can you provide a link to what you are looking for that I can send them?
ALso, keep in mind a 1000m strip may require a rather high voltage to operate depending on how it's made.
Anyway that can be figured out later. First we need to find this rather long item.
Building your own runway by chance? 
Jim
Edit: I just heard back from my vendor. They are asking for a picture, or link to what you are looking for and they will see what they can do on their end.
They're made in 12V 'packets' aren't they ? So it will be a huge current demand with the consequent voltage drop. Nice and bright one end, all off the other end....
They're made in 12V 'packets' aren't they ? So it will be a huge current demand with the consequent voltage drop. Nice and bright one end, all off the other end....
Agreed, but if the OP runs a 'feeder' along with several of these 'ropes' maybe that is one solution. At the same time, a long 'rope' may operate on a higher voltage....many options possible.
Let's see if the thing actually exists first.
JIm
I want the product in a long roll because we cut it to a specific length to incorporate it in our product. Also, I am trying to lower the unit cost by buying this stuff in bulk.
These led strips will be used in an RC plane lighting system that I sell to RC plane enthusiasts. However, the length of the strip varies with the size of the plane. The strips should use the 3528 sm led device in white(daylight), or red and or green (I need all three), The internal resistors need to be sized to allow about 7 mA/led. These strips will be powered by a 12v battery. The final length of the strips averages about .4m when in use.
In the past, I have purchased the led strips in 5 m rolls. This works, but its not ideal and the unit cost is too high. I am sure that this stuff is produced in long rolls and cut down for individual products. So, it should be straightforward to just sell me the long roll.
Hi Jimlake, speaking of RC Planes. I recently took up the hobby. I've seen some people use the LED strips on their planes.
Ok, so can you post a link, or a picture that I can email my vendor in China?
Jim
Not to sound like a hump, but could you maybe take a picture of what you have in front of you with a part number as the photos in the link are not very clear. Also I am guessing you want red and green but any other colors?
JIm
I am sure that this stuff is produced in long rolls...
Actually, I doubt it. Isn't it basically an etched flex PCB with SMT-mounted LEDs? Probably made on the same equipment with 1.5m limits as other PCBs. If you inspect one of your existing 5m strips, you may find that it's not continuous....
(I suppose that these COULD be a high enough volume product to justify specialized manufacturing systems. But it doesn't seem particularly likely...) (Hmm: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=... looks like it might be 5m at a time.)
Are you actually looking for strips longer than 5m, or just better pricing for larger quantities? For example, I see 100m here: http://www.aliexpress.com/item/1... , but it sure looks like you end up getting multiple 5m reels...
Wes,
I would have bet that this stuff was made in continuous rolls, but now I am not so sure. I have scoured the wood pile, and I can't find it. I have looked at the 5m rolls, and I can't find a splice, but that doesn't mean there's not one there.
So, I may be stuck with the 5m rolls. You are correct in assuming that I am basically trying to get a better price with a larger quantity. Also, I have found that there is some waste with the 5m rolls that I think I could cut down on with larger rolls. I have noticed that most of the strip led is sold as a lighting product with the associated wiring, which I end up not using. There is also the packaging and marketing costs that I hoped to avoid with a larger quantity.
Jim, I will post a photo of what I am using at the moment, but I am not stuck on any particular model. Color wise, I need white, green, red and yellow. I use the smaller, low power sm led (3.5mm x 2.8mm). Many of the strip leds out there use bigger, brighter leds. They use too much power for my application. My systems are intended for folks who want to fly their RC plane at night. Fact is, the leds don't need to be bright to see them very clearly at night at a couple of hundred meters (7 mA/led is plenty bright). A bigger issue is how you place them on the plane. Properly placed, they allow you to maintain control at night when you cannot see the plane itself. Its fun, colorful entertainment. Many RC clubs hold night flying events. My led controller allows you to turn the lights on/off/flash with your RC transmitter.
If I could get hooked up with a reliable supplier that knows what I need, I am sure that they could find and supply the best alternative for me. I have had problems with the reliability and veracity of some Chinese suppliers in the past. That is why I am looking for a recommendation. I need to plan a trip to Shenzhen, but I don't speak Mandarin, so I'm not sure how productive it would be.
