LED driver for a st...
 

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LED driver for a strip with a timer? Or "How to light up my wardrobe?"

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I want to put an LED light across the top of my wardrobe and thought I'd easily find what I want... but don't seem to be able to.

I think I want a driver to run a 12v strip LED that has a timer on it, ideally adjustable for a "few minutes" whatever time I decide is right.

Ideally with a pair of wireless momentary switches but wired would be fine too, although a bit more hassle.

 

So what's out there as I'm struggling to find anything at the moment.

 

Cheers 🙂


 
Posted : 25/04/2025 8:21 pm
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If there's an ikea unit that fits your wardrobe, just use that

https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/oeversidan-led-wardrobe-lighting-strp-w-sensor-dimmable-white-30589545/


 
Posted : 25/04/2025 9:04 pm
b33k34 reacted
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Cheers, thy might work. It’s not an IKEA wardrobe as it’s built in but does have their doors.

Those would end up tucked up behind the top rail so as long as the sensor isn’t too hidden should work.


 
Posted : 25/04/2025 9:41 pm
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Oh, we’re back to replies not showing 😕


 
Posted : 25/04/2025 9:42 pm
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Why a timer? I used an Ikea LED driver for my kitchen cupboard and linked it to a magnetic door switch so it comes on when I hope the door and goes off when I close it. Works a treat, except that despite being ZigBee it's not visible to my Hue hub which means I can't get it to trigger other things - it's paired only to the LED driver.


 
Posted : 25/04/2025 10:03 pm
 RicB
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I have Ikea led strips and ‘proper’ led strips; the proper stuff is much better and not much more expensive. The ikea stuff is easier to fit thiugh

 

have a look at Downlights Direct, that’s where I get my stuff from

 

youll need some 24v strip light, a length of aluminium profile, driver, infra red door sensor (the Leyton ones are good), some wagos and a length of cable to connect it all

 


 
Posted : 25/04/2025 10:48 pm
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Like above I did this to my son's wardrobe and used a wee micro switch to turn it on and off with the door opening and closing. 


 
Posted : 26/04/2025 12:47 am
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Posted by: molgrips

Why a timer? I used an Ikea LED driver for my kitchen cupboard and linked it to a magnetic door switch so it comes on when I hope the door and goes off when I close it. Works a treat, except that despite being ZigBee it's not visible to my Hue hub which means I can't get it to trigger other things - it's paired only to the LED driver.

Because I'm not sure how to use door sensors as it's 3 doors that can slide and stop in different places and won't always be in the same closed positions.  Maybe I could make them work.

 

Posted by: RicB

have a look at Downlights Direct, that’s where I get my stuff from

Cheers, that sent me down the road of looking at motion sensors. If I can wire three sensors in parallel to control 1 LED I'll do that. Otherwise I think I'll get IKEA ones that look like they have a light sensor on each end.

 


 
Posted : 26/04/2025 8:27 am
 merk
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I bought cheap motion sensor rechargeable led bars for this. They come with a bracket so that the light attaches magnetically to the inside of the wardrobe. Easy in and out. No wires. Just a quick recharge once every few months. 


 
Posted : 26/04/2025 8:28 am
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Posted by: merk

I bought cheap motion sensor rechargeable led bars for this. They come with a bracket so that the light attaches magnetically to the inside of the wardrobe. Easy in and out. No wires. Just a quick recharge once every few months. 

 

Also an option, although I do like fit & forget (and if I get this working well Ive got another big wardrobe to do next).

 


 
Posted : 26/04/2025 8:36 am
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Posted by: molgrips

goes off when I close it.

How can you be sure that it goes off when you close the door?


 
Posted : 26/04/2025 10:09 am
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In the style of Abbott and Costello just keep opening and closing the door to check.


 
Posted : 26/04/2025 10:13 am
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Just buy a cheap fridge door light switch part and use that.


 
Posted : 26/04/2025 10:51 am
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I've recently purchased a couple of Xiaomi night lights with a motion sensor. Turns itself off after 15 seconds if it doesn't detect movement. They come with an adhesive base so can fit anywhere. Really good bits of kit. Take x3 AA batteries. Might be an alternative solution for you. Two brightness levels.

https://www.mi.com/uk/product/mi-motion-activated-night-light-2-bluetooth/

 

I bought mine from AliExpress and had no issues.


 
Posted : 26/04/2025 1:21 pm
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Ok. I’ve had both and IME the ikea stuff is good quality and nicely made. They’ve got various smart ways of controlling it but it’s all 24v so you can just snip the wires and use any 24v driver (their basic non-smart driver is a plug top which means you need a socket rather than just a wire and a junction box). 

I’ve got various bits of 24v strip and covers as well but in most places there’s an ikea fitting that will do the job well. Aliexpress/ebay for cheap 24v movement sensor (you’ll likely need to think about where to position yours with your sliding doors). 


 
Posted : 26/04/2025 1:46 pm
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I have done the interiors lights for the wardrobes and under stairs cupboard using an ESP32 with an infra red detector facing the door and a relay for switching the LED feed. It uses a 12v PSU for the led strip, then 5v regulator for the ESP32 supply with the detector taking its power from the ESP32. The ESP32 needs a few simple lines of code to connect the detector to the LED output. Costs about £10 per room plus the LED strip.


 
Posted : 28/04/2025 8:02 pm
 mert
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I've got the IKEA ones in my bedroom wardrobe. They work well enough, but the wardrobe is always closed when it's not in use. Have got some other LEDs paired to a motion sensor (floor level for illuminating stairs at night). That works well too. Could easily be repurposed to a wardrobe as long as you're smart with the sensor position(s).


 
Posted : 29/04/2025 12:10 pm
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So... I thought I'd found the solution, a Syndeo driver with Bluetooth sensors. One sensor for each of the 3 doors, controlling each LED strip.

They work perfectly apart from if you're still standing infront of them the light will switch off and not come back on until some time later. Like it has to do a reset.

So I ordered some inline sensors for each strip and the order got cancelled because they are out of stock.

Which means I'm still on the hunt for 3 PIR / motion sensors that can go inline with a 24V LED strip.

 

This has turned out more difficult than I'd hoped!


 
Posted : 22/05/2025 4:30 pm
 mert
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https://www.ikea.com/se/sv/p/oeversidan-led-ljuslist-foer-garderob-m-sensor-dimbar-vit-50589549/

Should have just got a couple of these and a driver.


 
Posted : 23/05/2025 1:20 pm
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Not strictly what you asked for, but I have these in the airing cupboard, cupboard under the stairs and a dark kitchen cupboard.

eufy Stick-On Night Light

They run on 3 AAAs, and need recharging once or twice a year.

 


 
Posted : 23/05/2025 1:25 pm
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Posted by: mert

 

Should have just got a couple of these and a driver.

i really considered them but mounting them would have been tricky, the ceiling is too high above the opening.

 


 
Posted : 23/05/2025 1:58 pm
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Posted by: thols2

How can you be sure that it goes off when you close the door?

Shut yourself inside - at least you won’t suffocate and freeze to death like checking the fridge… 🙃


 
Posted : 25/05/2025 12:59 am

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