Lot of people have been asking how I did the DIY version of the trimlights and costs, etc.
Here is the how-to below with sources for materials and the total cost after I returned excess wire spools, etc.
$664 including shipping.
A number of hurdles to get over but overall I am happy with how it all looks. I will add pics to this original thread as I find them.
I originally wanted to do channel like the picture here but realized after closer inspection the existing fascia was not square at all leaving a ton of obvious workmanship issues that I couldn't control.
Thanks to @gretz for offering his sources to bend the J-Channel for me if I went this route.
My old fascia with the new channel below it. Much better plan on the anchoring, less bends and labor and chance of cracking the already painted J channel.
Another pic of backside showing how tight it is to majority of the existing fascia board.
DECIDE WHAT LED SPACING YOU LIKE
https://www.trimlight.com/spacing-options
Extensive reading led me to use 8” spacing. Gemstone uses approx. this spacing. But you can order in various spacings from the LED suppliers.
TOOLS NEEDED
Stepper drill bit for drilling holes in channel
Measuring tape
Drill press.
Hole Jig made from 1x4 and 2x4 base, 12mm dowling, 2 screws to attach wood together, quick grips to hold correct spacing on drill press.
Drill
Tiny drillbit for pilot holes when mounting channel
Drill with Robertson bit for mounting channel
Bungee cords to help hold channel while mounting
Extension Ladder or two with safety arms for stability
PROCESS
Test fit the J channel, decide on anchor point and placement to hide wires, direction of LEDs, etc. with existing fascia setup.
Build a jig for the hole placement and start drilling.
My starting hole on each channel is 4” from the edge so that when the next channel is butt up to it, it will equal 8”.
Drilled all the starting holes at 4” first
Reset the job to 8” centers off that first hole and drilled the rest of each channel.
Jig setup for hole drilling
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CA6AC5xiRk
Setting up for install
Plan out your starting point. Actually plan out the whole route and segments.
I started at the furthest corner from my power and data cable source to start mounting.
Worked from corner to the end of led string which was along the side of the house.
Counted out the LED’s for the channels moving towards the end along the side of the house and kept cuts to the far end at the back out of sight.
Then started on the other side of the corner piece working along the front of house towards the power source and Data signal source.
- Note, power can be brought in at any point on the string. Data signal has to be from beginning of the led segment.
Built corner piece. Using these instructional videos on bends, etc.
https://www.trimlight.com/installvideos
I soldered in power injection to last 100 pixels which was the very end of the line of LEDs.
Power injection was also placed in the middle of the string too (Led 100) as per my Power Injection calculations. See below for Calcs and information.
LED PIXEL LIGHTS
Ray Wu Store
https://he.aliexpress.com/store/7017...ad_203195030.0
8” Spacing is what I ordered/used.
8in(20cm) spacing 100pcs/set square regulated type DC12V
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005...668927707%21sh
4” Spacing if you like that look
4 inches(10cm)100pcs/set DC12V square 12mm WS2811 RGB led pixel node
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000...799834134%21sh
IF YOU WANT EXACTLY GEMSTONE STYLE LEDs USE THESE
Paul Zhang’ Store AliExpress.
[email protected]
12V 30mm RGBW 50 Pixel Outdoor LED Permanent Track 20 cm spacing (8”).
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005...28906424%21rec
12V 30mm RGBW 50 Pixel Outdoor LED Permanent Track 10 cm spacing (4”).
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005...14455727%21rec
POWER INJECTION
Power Injection Explained
http://spikerlights.com/pwrinjection.aspx
Power Injection Calc
http://spikerlights.com/calcpower.aspx
Wire Rolls to purchase
https://www.princessauto.com/en/prim...10-045-025-005
Additional information
https://electricfiredesign.com/2022/...le-led-strips/
https://www.cerrowire.com/products/r...pacity-charts/
J CHANNEL
Purchased locally – best price I found.
https://www.metalworkscanada.com/
Catalog of sizing
https://www.metalworkscanada.com/wp-...-catalogue.pdf
X = 1.00” worked best for me.
Jig setup for hole drilling – reposted link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CA6AC5xiRk
Drill bit for sheet metal holes
https://www.princessauto.com/en/13-s...t/PA0008256430
Install Videos / Corner shaping
https://www.trimlight.com/installvideos
LED CONTROL & POWER SUPPLY
Dig-Uno Wifi LED Controller – uses WLED.app on Google Play or Apple App Store.
https://quinled.info/pre-assembled-quinled-dig-uno/
MEAN WELL LRS-150-12 150W 12V 12.5 Amp Enclosed Switchable Power Supply (Might be undersized on Amps for me)
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Junction Box ABS Plastic Dustproof 8x8x3 size
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B07...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
VARIOUS ADDITIONAL PARTS
Various Conduit pieces from Home Depot
Shrink sleeves
Solder
Flux
Electrical tape
Lumex
Wire clamp anchors