Hot water is required for many purposes and the sun can be used effectively, efficiently and economically to provide this heat. The warming effect of solar radiation is obvious and it is well known that a container of cold water, left exposed to the sun will be raised in temperature. Solar water heating systems are designed to make convenient use of this phenomenon.

Solar water heaters generally employ a solar collector and a storage tank. The solar water heating collector is by far the most widespread solar energy conversion device and there are several millions in use around the world. There are many simple designs of collectors and water heating systems. Construction and manufacture is easily achievable in most developing countries.

 The energy required to raise the temperature of a substance is a physical property known as the specific heat of the particular substance. The specific heat of water is 4.2J/g/ oC, i.e. 4.2 joules of energy are required to raise the temperature of one gram of water by one degree centigrade. Using larger and more familiar units:

Energy required (kJ) = 4.2 x volume (litres) x temperature rise (oC)

Thus, in order to consider energy sources for water heating, the parameters that must be known are the volume of water required in a given time period (hour, day), the temperature of the 'cold' water, and the required delivery temperature. Hot water may be used for a variety of purposes, but as an example, domestic use is considerable. Here usage varies widely; in industrialised countries an average of around 50 litres per person per day is normal, in developing countries the more wealthy inhabitants may use this amount or more, while the poor may not use hot water at all.

 

Tips：solar water heater    solar lighting    solar panel

 

LEDs are currently more expensive, price per lumen, on an initial capital cost basis, than more conventional lighting technologies. The additional expense partially stems from the relatively low lumen output and the drive circuitry and power supplies needed. However, when considering the total cost of ownership (including energy and maintenance costs), LEDs far surpass incandescent or halogen sources and begin to threaten compact fluorescent lamps. In December 2007, scientists at Glasgow University claimed to have found a way to make Light Emitting Diodes brighter and use less power than energy efficient light bulbs currently on the market by imprinting holes into billions of LEDs in a new and cost effective method using a process known as nanoimprint lithography.

LED performance largely depends on the ambient temperature of the operating environment. Over-driving the LED in high ambient temperatures may result in overheating of the LED package, eventually leading to device failure. Adequate heat-sinking is required to maintain long life. This is especially important when considering automotive, medical, and military applications where the device must operate over a large range of temperatures, and is required to have a low failure rate.

LEDs must be supplied with the correct current. This can involve series resistors or current-regulated power supplies.

The spectrum of some white LEDs differs significantly from a black body radiator, such as the sun or an incandescent light. The spike at 460 nm and dip at 500 nm can cause the color of objects to be perceived differently under LED illumination than sunlight or incandescent sources, due to ****merism. Color rendering properties of common fluorescent lamps are often inferior to what is now available in state-of-art white LEDs.

LEDs do not approximate a "point source" of light, so cannot be used in applications needing a highly collimated beam. LEDs are not capable of providing divergence below a few degrees. This is contrasted with commercial ruby lasers with divergences of 0.2 degrees or less. This can be corrected by using lenses and other optical devices.

There is increasing concern that blue LEDs and white LEDs are now capable of exceeding safe limits of the so-called blue-light hazard as defined in eye safety specifications such as ANSI/IESNA RP-27.1-05: Recommended Practice for Photobiological Safety for Lamp and Lamp Systems.

 

Tips：LED    china LED manufacturer     LED display  

Twinkling lights on trees and houses are an icon of the holiday season, but their energy consumption might put a damper on your celebratory mood: this year’s holiday lights could generate as much global warming pollution as about 250,000 cars, according to UCS research. Most of this electricity is needlessly wasted, because the mini and C-7 incandescent lights used by most homeowners are only about 10 percent efficient.

There are a variety of ways to decorate the home without using electricity, but families who enjoy the look or tradition of holiday lights can save money and help protect the environment by switching to LED (light-emitting diode) holiday lights. LEDs employ semiconductor technology to convert electricity into light directly, resulting in significant energy savings. An LED uses approximately 0.04 watt of electricity, compared with 0.45 watt for a mini incandescent light bulb and 7 watts for a C-7 incandescent bulb.

LEDs provide several other benefits as well:

Safety—LEDs stay cool to the touch, posing less of a fire hazard compared with incandescent lights. In addition, their low energy consumption allows you to connect up to 25 strands of lights end to end without overloading a circuit.  

Durability—The small size and solid construction of LED bulbs make them less likely to break.

 Long Life—LED bulbs can last up to 100,000 hours or more, which is equivalent to more than 10 years of continuous indoor use. If a single bulb in an LED strand does happen to fail, the remaining bulbs will continue to work.

While they have a higher purchase price (they cost about two to three times more than incandescent lights), LED holiday lights quickly pay for themselves through energy savings. Using the national average residential rate of 11.06 cents per kilowatt-hour, it costs only 32 cents to use 300 LED lights for five hours per day for 45 days. In comparison, using incandescent mini lights or C-7 lights for the same amount of time would cost $3.36 and $52.25, respectively. This does not include replacement costs for incandescent light strands, which do not last as long as LED strands. You can reduce your energy costs even further by using solar-powered LED light, which can be used indoors or out.

Regardless of which bulbs you use to light up your holiday, you can maximize their efficiency by plugging them into an automatic timer and using mirrors and tinsel around indoor lights to increase the lighting effects.Read More>>  

Tips: LED    led light     led display

It’s The Details That Count

Accessories are the perfect creative opportunity to complement your dress. The accessories you choose will provide the finishing touches to your stunning outfit for the day. Leave enough time for their selection, as they will play a major part in your overall appearance.

Add earrings, a necklace or perhaps a bracelet. The right necklace can really finish off a plain bodice and bare neckline. Likewise, the perfect earrings will add a bit of sparkle to your face. There are no rules to the jewellery you choose to wear to your wedding, as long as they suit the rest of your look.

Your jewelry can be gold or silver. Whatever you prefer. Maybe you even want pearls or diamantés? You or your groom may have a family heirloom that you could wear on the day.

Remember, your bridesmaids will need accessories as well. Often the bride will purchase her bridesmaids a gift to thank them for all their help and support. It is a lovely idea to buy a piece of jewellery that can be worn after the wedding.

Veils And Headpieces

There is an extensive range of veils, tiaras and other headpieces available for your wedding. Before deciding anything, have a talk to your hairdresser about the headpiece you desire.

Veils are available in a spectrum of colours, and you can choose any you like (just make sure you can see through it clearly!). The materials are always delicate: silk, nylon, lace or netting (tulle). Tulle is the least expensive and is made in a wider range of colours than any other veiling.

Your wedding gown will certainly dictate the design, length and colour of your veil, so it’s advisable to wait until you know exactly what you’ll be wearing before you buy one. You will also have to think about your facial features and figure type.

Selecting a veil is not an easy task. You can purchase one, or have one made for you. You will need to find a style and length that flatters your gown.

Your veil should also fit in with the formality of your wedding. If you’re having a formal wedding, why not consider wearing a cathedral, or chapel veil. The cathedral‚ veil will fall all the way to the end of your train, and a chapel‚ veil will stretch to the end of your dress. But of course shorter alternatives are available, including veils that fall to the end of your fingertips, or just cover the face. There are endless choices when it comes to trimmings, satin or lace edges, seed pearls or sequins. You can even embroider your veil with the same trimmings your dress has.

However, a veil is not the only option. Satisfy your childhood fantasies by become a princess for the day in a sparkling tiara. Make sure your tiara is secure; you don’t want to have to adjust it. However, also ensure that it is not too tight fitting. An ill-fitting tiara will quickly begin to hurt.

Flowers are another romantic alternative. You could crown yourself with a ring of flowers or just have a few delightful blooms scattered through your hair. You will need to speak with your florist if you decide on this option.

Tiaras

Every girls dream is to wear a Tiara at least once in her life and a wedding day is the perfect time to do so. Tiaras can be ornate and heavy or fine and delicate, so taking time to choose the right accessories to complement your dress is very important. If the bodice or skirt is intricately beaded with pearls or crystals, you may want to incorporate these in your Tiara. You may also need to consider the colour and pattern of your material.

Tiaras can be designed to follow a theme for your wedding such as a medieval theme or for a garden wedding, you can incorporate flowers or butterflies. Seaside weddings are very popular now and you may wish to have, for example, dolphins, or shells in your Tiara.

If wearing a Tiara is not for you, why not look for a hair slide, hair pins or flowers. The choice is endless.

Before deciding on what you will wear in your hair, it is important to discuss your hairstyle with your hairdresser. For instance, if you are wearing your hair in an up-style it is a good idea to have your hair up when trying on Tiaras.

Once you have chosen your Tiara you will need to match this with other accessories, such as a necklace or choker, earrings, brooch or bangle, making sure all accessories complement each other.

Flower Girls

Flower-girls love to dress up. If your flower-girl is to wear a Tiara, why not have a miniature version of yours made, worn with matching jewellery. Or maybe she is to be a fairy and wear a delicate, crystal halo and carry a wand to match instead of flowers. Remember to keep their accessories simple and easy to wear. All are lovely keepsakes of their important day.

A Designer Touch

Bridal accessory specialists will liaise with you to design your own jewelry and other accessories. If you can’t find what you want from their standard range ask if it is possible to design and create an item especially for you.

Do call them early in your planning phase as it takes time to create a special piece.

Wisely chosen accessories will complete your finished look. They will also become a lasting memento of your special wedding day to treasure in the years to come.

In a conclusion, a bride, wearing wedding dress with such accessories, must be charming on the wedding day.

Continue reading about related information and more!  

 

Tips : wedding dress   china wedding dress   wedding gown   bridal gown

Organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) represent another emerging technology that is still in the laboratory. If it can be made practical, it may make even more of a dramatic impact on how spaces are lighted than LEDs. In fact, it may one day replacing LEDs as an energy-efficient alternative for general lighting.

OLEDs are similar to electroluminescent lighting, in which a sheet of material is excited so that it emits light. An OLED light source is a thin, flexible sheet of material consisting of three layers, a polymer or sublimed molecular film sandwiched between two layers of electrodes, one of them transparent. Current passes through the material until it emits light through its transparent layer.

According to Uniax Corporation, in laboratory conditions, low-voltage OLED light sources can reach efficacies of 3-4 LPW. Unfortunately, such efforts produce too much heat and reduce the life of the light source. Manufacturers including Uniax, Philips Electronics NV, Photonics Spectra, Seiko Epson, Hoechst Innovative Display Technologies Inc., DuPont and Intel are all currently working on developing commercial OLED products.

What’s interesting about this light source still in development is that it may challenge our very perception of lighting and architecture in the future. Lighting designers often try to integrate lighting hardware and architecture in a cohesive manner; with OLEDs, the architecture may be the lighting hardware. Sheets of material can be cut and placed like “lighting wallpaper” or integrated with building materials such as wood, glass and other materials, converting them into luminous surfaces.

The Next Step

Based on current lumen packages and the great potential for this light source to be adopted for more general lighting applications, the next step is for the fixture community to begin building more products designed to utilize LEDs as the primary or supplementary light source. Writes Andrew Bierman of the Lighting Research Center in the LRC white paper, “LED: From Indicators to Illuminators?”:

There are … many lighting applications that require only a few lumens, or tens of thousands of lumens, for which LEDs are ideal. In the past, most of the talk about LEDs has focused on efficiency. Now that the efficiencies have exceeded other light sources, future work should focus on packaging LEDs into useful products.

You could take www.ledexporter.com for more related information and products.

Tips:  LED  LED Light  LED Display

 

There's no doubt about it—things get personal when shopping for a wedding dress. Unlike any other frock you'll purchase, your wedding dress is part and parcel of a major commitment, and you'll want to remember it fondly for the rest of your life. As you enter the wonderful world of wedding dress shopping, don't worry if you're clueless about crinolines or corsets. Our 10 insider tips will help make your wedding dress search a celebration in itself.

 

1. Do your homework

Before hitting the wedding dress stores, be an educated consumer. Studying wedding dresses in bridal magazines is the best way to get started. Many designers and salons also have web sites where you can view wedding dresses (as does www.wedding-dress-gown.com) and check out fashion-show schedules.

The point of this research is not to induce hyperventilation, but to help you get a general idea of what wedding dress you want. Make notes about silhouettes, fabrics, and prices, then bring them, as well as magazines with pages you've flagged, to your salon appointments.

One caveat: Try not to get too attached to a wedding dress that looks great on paper. There's always the chance that it won't wow you in person. If that's the case, your consultant can direct you to similar, but more flattering, wedding dresses. Just make sure you try on the major wedding dress silhouettes: A-line, ball gown, basque waist, and Empire waist.

2. Start searching early

Any consultant worth her salt will ask you for the date, time, and location of your wedding. These logistics will dictate the type of wedding dress that's most appropriate. Experts agree that you should start looking for your wedding dress at least nine months before the big day. "Everything from the flowers to the headpiece revolves around the bride's wedding dress," says Lori Allen, owner of Bridals by Lori, in Atlanta. It will take at least three months for your wedding gown to arrive from the manufacturer and from one to three fittings to get it right.

3. Enter at your own risk

Just as you wouldn't show up at your doctor's office unannounced, don't go to your bridal salon without an appointment. "This allows us to spend more time with you and help you efficiently," points out Dorcas Prince, owner of Low's Bridal and Formal, in Brinkley, Arkansas. Some salons do take walk-ins, but you could be sitting around for hours before seeing a consultant, whose job is to listen to your ideas, then offer a few of her own. She will also educate you on bridal gown silhouettes, fabrics, and fit.

If possible, avoid scheduling a Saturday visit, when stores are busiest. Any other day will mean additional time and assistance in a relaxed setting.

4. Be real about money

Honesty is the best policy when it's time to talk money. "If you're on a strict budget, tell your consultant up front," advises Allen. "Then we can help you find a great wedding dress in that price range." You're only setting yourself up for heartache if you try on wedding dresses that you can't afford. "Everything after that will be like comparing a Rolls-Royce to a Kia," says Allen. "It will drive you crazy."

Sometimes it's okay to spend a little more than you planned if you're willing to cut costs in another area. "Spending two or three hundred dollars more for your evening dress may not make that much of a difference to your overall budget," says Elsa Carlesimo, designer for Paloma Blanca, in Toronto, Canada. "Ideally, you're only going to do this once. So you probably won't regret spending a little extra."

5. Look the part

Even the prettiest wedding dress loses some of its appeal if the wearer has dirty hair. Shopping for a wedding dress can be an event in itself, so why not primp a little? Put on some makeup and style your hair, and you'll get a sneak preview of how you'll look on the day.

Unless you intend to wed barefoot, bring a pair of shoes with a heel that's similar to what you plan to wear for your ceremony (some salons have samples you can use).

6. Go under cover

It's almost a certainty that in between try-ons you'll be standing around in your underwear. To avoid embarrassing yourself—or your salesperson—make sure you're wearing lingerie that looks good. Avoid anything with holes, bleach stains, or loose elastic.

If nothing in your dresser drawer fits the bill, purchase a simple strapless bra for your appointments. "It's your best bet since many wedding dress silhouettes require that you wear either a strapless or backless foundation," maintains Carlesimo. If you forget to bring one along, most salons will provide you with a suitable style as well as a slip or crinoline.

Once you've chosen a wedding dress, make sure to bring the bra that you are going to wear on your wedding day (or one that's a similar style) to each fitting. "The type of foundation you wear affects how your wedding dress is altered," explains Prince. "You want consistency."

7. Don't be a crowd pleaser

Here's a sanity saver: Bring along only the people at the very top of your A-list. That means Mom (or another close relative) and a supportive friend with great taste. Most salon consultants agree that two people is plenty. Three or more is definitely a crowd, especially when they start offering conflicting opinions. That's the kind of drama you don't need while trying to make a decision.

With entourage in tow, be sure to visit at least three salons. Is it possible to fall in love with the first wedding dress you try on? Sure. But that doesn't mean you can't confirm it's "the one" by looking in more than one place.

8. Know what to look for

Note the way wedding dresses curve over the bust and waist, and whether the neckline and hem lie correctly. "You can get an idea of how it will fit even if you try a sample that's not your size," says Allen. (Don't freak out if you find your size-10 body needs a size-14 wedding dress. "Most wedding dresses run small because they follow the smaller sizing that was set up in the 1940s," explains Prince.)

If you start adding sleeves to a strapless wedding dress or narrowing a ball gown's skirt, then you haven't found what you're looking for. "It pays to think twice before you commit to a wedding dress whose design you want to change dramatically," says Laura Kaye, of Bridals by Roma, in Clifton, New Jersey. Even simple alterations like turning an on-the-shoulder neckline into an off-the-shoulder one can start at well over a hundred dollars. Add that to the cost of the basic alterations that most brides need (adjusting side seams, shoulders, length, and bustle loops), and you could end up spending an extra $350.

9. Read the small print

Once you're ready to buy your wedding dress, make sure you know the specific terms of sale. They're usually spelled out on your receipt and include the amount of your nonrefundable deposit (50 percent of the full price), when the balance is due (usually when the wedding dress arrives—don't pay before inspecting your merchandise), and the salon's policies regarding alterations, exchanges, and special orders.

Each wedding dress store operates differently, but most consider the receipt a binding contract. "When you sign, that's it," says Prince. So read all paperwork thoroughly.

10. Know when to call it a day

If every wedding dress is starting to look the same, you're suffering from bridal burnout. The way to avoid it is by shopping in moderation—no more than two stores a day.

How will you know when you've hit the jackpot? Experts agree: You'll shed at least one tear of joy—or break into your biggest grin since he popped the question.

 

Tips : wedding dress   wedding gown   bridal gown

Any piece of jewelry you purchase is going to be a large investment which you will want to keep for a long period of time. Like anything else, this will take effort and you will need to clean and care for your jewelry on a regular basis. There are many things which you can do to ensure your jewelry remains in good condition, follow these steps to ensure your jewelry continues to sparkle:

1. It is very important to put your jewelry away when you are finished wearing it. If you set your jewelry on a table it is going to get filled with dust and other particles which are likely to make your jewelry appear dull. Store your jewelry in a jewelry box to ensure your pieces remain sparkly. Do not pile your jewelry on top of one another, pieces with stones are likely to scratch other pieces. Place each type of jewelry in the appropriate drawer of your jewelry box.

2. Most forms of pearl jewelry can be cleaned by simply placing them in water. If you prefer, you can add a touch of mild dish soap. Make sure that your sink is completely plugged to prevent anything that may fall into the sink from, god forbid, going down the drain. Once you have cleaned your piece of jewelry, dry it with a lint-free cloth. If you are unsure of which cleaning detergents are best for your jewelry, just use water. Water is your safest choice – it will clean your jewelry without any risk of ruining it.

3. Never expose your silver jewelry to high temperatures. Gems such as emeralds, opals, and pearls are most affected by these types of conditions. Also, the same risk of damage is likely in dry conditions or severe, sudden changes in temperature. In these conditions it is likely your gem will break or crack.

4. Use common sense. Common sense will go a long way in determining how long your pearl jewelry lasts. Don’t wear your diamond solitaire engagement ring to a boxing class, or any form of exercise for that matter. They are likely to get damaged with all the physical contact. Likewise, if you tan in a salon, remove any form of pearl jewelry which is likely to get scratched from the acrylic on the beds. If you are unsure, remove your jewelry. It’s better to be safe than sorry, especially when it comes to expensive pieces of jewelry.

Taking care of your jewelry on a regular basis will ensure it lasts as long as possible and remains in the best condition possible. Taking a few minutes about once a week can create a noticeable difference between clean, sparkly looking jewelry and dirty, dull looking jewelry. You know what your jewelry is worth – clean it accordingly.

Source: www.jewelryprovide.com

 

Tips:  jewelry   pearl jewelry  silver jewelry

Are you a bride creating a budget with no idea how much a wedding dress will really cost? Magazines are confusing and often don't even list prices for wedding dresses. Here's an easy guide to what you'll get for your money.

For around $500, you can purchase a wedding dress at a larger wedding dress retailer that is machine made. Generally, these are made largely of synthetic fabrics, and have minimal amounts of hand-detailing. You may be able to purchase a lovely bridesmaid's gown in white from a more well-known designer. Make sure to get the wedding gown altered to help it fit you properly.

Brides who are looking for a designer wedding dress in silk or other natural fabric should expect to pay between $2000 and $4000. For this amount of money, the bridal gown should be very well made, and include some hand detailing. You'll go to a wedding dress salon where they'll measure you, help you pick your wedding dress, and order it directly from the designer in your size. Once it arrives, you'll pay a little extra to have it altered to fit you.

For brides who have an extravagant budget, expect to pay $6000 and up for a designer wedding dress custom made just for you. A seamstress will work with you to precisely fit and design the gown around your body. Most of the work will be done by hand. Oh, and don't forget that you'll have well known designers and an au courant design. See more wedding dress information, you can go to www.wedding-dress-gown.com  and find more.

 

Tips : wedding dress   wedding gown   bridal gown

Any type of in-floor radiant heating is one of the most comfortable forms of heat for homes. The warm floor radiates heat to your body, providing a similar feeling to standing in the sun on a cold day. Also, by keeping one's feet warm, the entire body feels warmer. Most in-floor radiant heating is installed under ceramic tile or other masonry floor surface, but some types are designed for installation under low thermal mass flooring, such as carpeting, hardwood or laminate floating floors.

When it is installed under these flooring materials, it provides quicker temperature response to changes in the thermostat setting. Electric in-floor radiant heat is energy efficient.

Whether or not installing it will lower your utility bills depends upon the type of central heating system in your home and how you use the in-floor heating. If you have a new efficient gas furnace, it will produce heat less expensively than the electric resistance heating from in-floor heating. Overall energy savings from electric in-floor heating can still be realized because its radiant heat allows you to set the room temperature lower and still be comfortable.

Also with electric in-floor heating, the temperature in each room is controlled by its own thermostat. This allows you to zone-heat (different temperatures in different rooms) your house and save even more energy. For rooms with carpeting, several companies offer radiant in-floor heating sheets or mats that are very thin. They use a mesh or foil material that is easy to install yourself. The manufacturers can help you determine how much heating and the size of the kit your room requires.

Heatizon uses a very safe low-voltage heating screen design that is easy to install. It is only one-eighth-inch thick and is stapled in place on the floor. It has a 25-year warranty. A wafer-thin heating kit by Warmly Yours is designed to be placed between the carpeting and the pad. Another design by Warmly Yours uses fiberglass-mesh embedded with heating cables, which is ideal for under hardwood flooring.

Check with the hardwood flooring manufacturer about the maximum allowable floor temperature, to avoid overdrying the hardwood. This kit comes with its own sensitive thermostat for comfort and to protect the hardwood. Most companies also offer the standard 120- or 240-volt heating cable. This is often embedded in a thin-set base and covered with ceramic tile for bathrooms. It provides even and steady room temperatures.

Carmanah Technologies Corporation is working with the City of Kelowna, British Columbia, to equip the community's parks, paths and other public spaces with solar-powered LED lighting technology. As part of its "Going Green" strategy, Kelowna will install 100 Carmanah EverGEN solar-powered area lights in a citywide deployment of renewable technology. A Government of Canada grant of $500,000 will help support the outdoor lighting project as part of the government's commitment to help Canadians reduce energy costs, increase energy efficiency, and develop cleaner energy technologies. The government will contribute $480,000 in funding from the Technology Early Actions Measures program and $20,000 of in-kind support from Natural Resources Canada.

The solar-powered lights will illuminate green spaces and other public areas to help enhance convenience, security, and visual appeal throughout the city. With no trenching, cabling or permits required, each area light can be installed in minutes at a fraction of the cost of a wired light source, to provide years of trouble-free operation without the scheduled maintenance or monthly utility bills of traditional electric lights. To ensure consistent illumination levels, each light uses Carmanah's built-in MICROSOURCE® energy management system to dynamically manage the changing relationship between light output and available energy resources. By using the sun's energy as an alternative power source, each solar-powered LED (light emitting diode) light can help the community to reduce its dependency on grid-based electricity, for a clean, economical and maintenance-free lighting alternative.

As one of BC's fastest-growing cities, Kelowna is committed to sustainability for the health and wellness of its citizens and future generations. Under the guidance of Mayor Sharon Shepherd, the city is always looking for new ways to reduce its environmental footprint, making this citywide commitment to solar technology a logical step. With this wide-scale commitment to renewable energy technology, Kelowna is leading the way as a true innovator, and one of Canada's leading solar cities.

Since white LEDs require 3.6 volts and the 3 N-cells in series provide 4.5 volts, a current limiting resistor is required.

This tight beam aspect of many of the white LEDs has a downside also. The tighter the LED beam, the dimmer it will appear when viewed off angle. Some of them have such a well formed beam that they are hardly visible at all at angles between 30 and 80°.

When he showed it to me I realized the light was coming from a single, white LED.

Take www.ledexporter.com and you could learn more related information there.

Tips:  LED  LED Light  LED Display

LEDs are just about the perfect motorcycle lighting solution.  LED lights use very little power, they're not affected by vibration, they don't get hot and the LED itself is virtually waterproof. 

They're also available in an array of colors and they can be grouped together to provide many different shapes and styles of custom-designed light.

Once you start experimenting with LED lights, it's hard to stop.  They can be installed on just about any motorcycle, even the old-timers with wimpy alternators. 

We just had to try their new "Hyper-Strips" flexible LED accent lights also.  "Too much is not enough" is the motto of LED Light fanatics, and the Hyper-Strips offer yet another way to go over the top.

Hyper-Strips are LED accent lights for motorcycles.  They can be mounted just about anywhere: under the fuel tank, headlight, seat or any other location where the light will be visible but the LEDs will be hidden.

LEDs don't light up by themselves, so they're usually mounted on a printed circuit board that contains a few other electronic parts that help convert the electricity.  The word "Strip" in Hyper-Strips refers to the unique flexible printed circuit board that's used to mount the LEDs. 

Hyper-Strips are available in a variety of lengths, up to the 12" "Hyper-18" kit shown here for under-tank mounting.  This kit includes two 12" strips with 18 LEDs each and quick disconnects pre-installed.  They come in 8 different colors, including amber, red, green, purple, orange, jade, white and blue.

Hyper-Strips are easy to install with minimal electrical skill required.  The hardest part is deciding where to place them and in getting them secured on the bike.  They can be spliced into just about any existing light wiring, or connected directly to the battery. 

Custom Dynamics sells an accessory Hyper-Light installation kit that includes just about everything  necessary to complete the job, including double-sided tape, cable ties, switches and spade terminals.  And as long as you're maxing out the glam factor on the bike, you may as well get one of their LED accent light remote control units, which allows the lights to be turned on and off from a distance to impress your friends at the local hangout!

Installing Hyper-Strips
Hyper-Strips can be mounted just about anywhere on the bike, limited only by your imagination.  One of the best (and most popular) locations is under the fuel tank.  I don't have a cruiser with lots of chrome, but just about any type of bike is a target for customization lately, so why not a Thunderbird Sport?

 

One of the best ways to find a good location for the lights is to experiment with the Hyper-Strips at night.  Here's a tip: the LEDs can be powered by one of those little square 9-Volt radio batteries, so you can experiment with all sorts of configurations before the lights are permanently mounted. 

Try going out in the garage at night to experiment with the lights using the 9-Volt battery trick.  Try different locations, using a couple of small pieces of duct tape if necessary to temporarily hold the lights in place.

Once a suitable location is found, use some type of marker (a felt-tip marker works well) to make some layout marks to use as a reference for mounting the strips.  I didn't do this at first, and realized my mistake after I had gone through all the trouble of removing the fuel tank and then realizing that I didn't remember where to mount the strips.

I had just enough clearance between the central frame spine on the Thunderbird Sport and the fuel tank to mount the 18" Hyper-18 strips, one on either side.  This kit consists of two 18" Hyper-Strips with 18 LEDs per strip. 

The LEDs are mounted asymmetrically on the backing; that is, there's a left and right side strip, so make sure you have the correct strip for each side.  The LEDs should be facing inwards and pointing down for the best effect under the fuel tank.

 

Once everything is laid out, the Hyper-Strips are ready to install.  The mounting kit includes some high-quality 3M double sided tape and a couple of packages of 3M double-sided tape accelerator.  The tape is about twice as wide as the Hyper-Strip, so I used a pair of scissors to cut a lengthwise section.  (Note: Custom Dynamics recently informed us that the Hyper-Strips now have the double-sided tape pre-installed).

The accelerator packages are similar to those moist towelettes you get with fried chicken take-out, only instead of a towel, they use a sponge soaked in the special accelerator liquid.  I cleaned the mounting surface first with rubbing alcohol and then applied the accelerator to the back of the Hyper-Strip and the mounting surface. 

Carefully apply the double-sided tape to the back of the Hyper-Strips and then mount them on the surface.  The accelerator is very efficient, so take care, because once the tape sticks to the surface, it's stuck for good.  The accelerator really works!

I ran each Hyper-18 strip lengthwise under the fuel tank, about as far out towards the edge as I could whilst still hiding the LED lights.  The Hyper-18's have about 36" of 20-gauge wire and a pair of quick disconnects, which makes it easy to hide the wire up under the tank and back to the battery.

LED Accent Lights
Custom Dynamics offers a wide range of LED lights of all different types.  In the true spirit of overkill, we also mounted some of their LED accent lights while we were at it.

The photo shows three different types of accent lights.  On the left is a three-LED Hyper-Strip.  The middle unit is a three-LED chrome-plated plastic housing with three LEDs.  The central LED points directly down and the LEDs on the side point left and right.

The unit on the right is also made from chrome plated plastic and holds 4 LEDs.  These can be mounted under floorboards, behind a license plate or just about anywhere else you can imagine.  We mounted the unit shown in the middle underneath the Thunderbird Sport's headlight fairing, and the small Hyper-Strip found a home in back of the Thunderbird Sport's side-mounted horn assembly.

These smaller LED accent light units are easy to install.  Once a suitable location is found, clean the surface with rubbing alcohol, lay on some double-sided tape and stick 'em on.  We spliced the accent light mounted under the headlight into the same wiring used to power the under-tank Hyper-Strips. 

We used Posi-Lock connectors to do splice all the wires, because they work great and they will allow the wires to be disconnected if we have to remove the fairing or headlight for some reason.  See the wBW review of Posi-Lock connectors for more information.   

The accessory mounting kit includes a waterproof on/off switch and a fuse holder.  These can be spliced in to the red, or power wire, again using Posi-Lock connectors.  One of the nice things about using Posi-Locks is they can be relocated and reused if you make a mistake or find a better mounting solution. 

The on/off switch can be located just about anywhere.  I found a location under the seat in back of the Thunderbird Sport's air cleaner trim and installed it using a small piece of double-sided tape.

As long as you're going over the top, you may as well spring for the remote control unit.  This is installed between the on/off switch and the LED lights by splicing the red wire to power, the black wire to a suitable ground and the white wire to the LEDs. 

It's a bit too late in the season around here to show off at the local hangout, but I plan on shining up the bike and waiting until some admirers are nearby and I'll fire off the LEDs with a cool light show for maximum effect.

 

It's very hard to take photographs that do justice to the results.  When the Hyper-Strips and LED accent lights are mounted correctly, they give off a neon-like glow that looks very cool.  The LEDs used in the Hyper-Strips are very bright, and the darker the surroundings, the greater the effect.

Conclusion
LED lights draw very little power and they are virtually maintenance free, which makes them ideal for use on a motorcycle.  It's a lot of fun to experiment with different placements for the Hyper-Strips and accent lights. 

They're very easy to install and you don't have to be an electrician to get them working properly.  They really look good when they cast their glow on polished chrome, but they're also suitable for sport bikes or naked bikes, and they even work great on the Thunderbird Sport shown here.

You could take www.ledexporter.com and find more related information and products there.

Tips:  LED  LED Light  LED Display

Contract us | Ad service |  Friendly Links  Google  yahoo   MSN   Ask  Alltheweb Wedding dresses   Jewelry  Solar panel   Floor  LED