Clear acrylic/glass that blocks NO wavelengths?

[3Tripnip]

Hey!

I'm building a large LED light fixture, and I want to mount it in a container that will have acrylic or glass covering the LEDs. I do not want any of the light/wavelengths/etc to be blocked... basically to act as if no cover was there at all. Can anyone recommend an acrylic/glass like this? Any help would be awesome. Thanks!

-Ben

 

[Anonymous]

None. Anything you put in front of the light will block some light. If you HAVE to put something, go with the thinnest piece of acrylic you can find.

I'd just drill holes and stick the LED's out through the plastic.

B

 

[WRASSER]

Like Bingo said, none. You will also have to keep the glass clean too :wink:

 

[3Tripnip]

Bummer. Alright, looks like that's what I'll be trying. Thanks!

-Ben

 

[WRASSER]

Why do you need the covers :?:

 

[3Tripnip]

Why do you need the covers :?:

Just in case water splashed for any reason. I don't want any liquid to come in contact with the circuit board I designed.

 

[WRASSER]

Can you design a water proof case for the circuit board. You will have the lights you want :wink:

 

[Anonymous]

why cover the LEDs? Since they already have individual acrylic coverings?

 

[Anonymous]

If you don't have any adjustments to make on the board, cover it with epoxy or hot glue.

B

 

[Anonymous]

Acrylic is more "clear" in the visible region than glass, so that will be your best choice.

 

[RichMacys]

You can encapsulate the lower half in epoxy so the important part stays dry. It would also look a lot more professional.

 

[3Tripnip]

Yeah, there are a few options I'm looking at. I've got a couple of ideas drawn up in some CAD software. I'll try and post them as soon as I can, then maybe I can get some feedback from you guys and gals.

-Ben

 

[Anonymous]

I've use plastic wrap in this circumstance with success. If you paint a "rim" around the fixture to stick the plastic to you can stretch the "Saran Wrap" tight and it doesn't block very much light but protects from splashing. It will withstand flourescent heat but not MH type of heat, it should be OK with LED type heat. If you use the stuff made for microwaving it holds up to heat better.

Instead of cleaning it, just replace the plastic wrap when it gets salt spots on it. It's faster than cleaning glass or acrylic.

 

[Nautilus1]

Thats a greta Idea guy!
If you search you will find acrylic that has better spectral qualities than others. Home depot does not have this type but years ago I was in the market for some good quality acylic and discovered that there was acrylic that did minimize the attenuation of spectrum. I remember that it was more expensive than average stuff.

 

[seadragon53]

I'm building a large LED light fixture...

3Tripnip, is this "moonlight" LEDs or for normal "daylight" conditions?

The reason I am asking is that there is some research and development going on that includes a 24 hour lighting canopy all LED driven... sunrise, normal daylight, sunset and moolight (based on 28 day cycle moon phases) as well. It's designed to change slowly so as to provide a more natural environment for the inhabitants. If interested let me know.

Rick

 

[kingnick1]

Please god hurry up and get these fixtures out.

 

[paneubert]

Any updates on your LED light build progress? I am starting to build one of my own (as in I have bought my LED's and some acrylic). Could you post your diagrams so I can get an idea of how you went about it. I also was going to put a sheet of acrylic below my lights to keep them dry. I didn't really think about the sheet blocking any spectrum........... 8O

 

[Anonymous]

For most clear acrylic, the amount of light being blocked is not that significant.

 

[Anonymous]

For most clear acrylic, the amount of light being blocked is not that significant.

In my experience it isn't the acrylic that blocks the light per se, it's the accumulated condensation and salt creep and ultimately the scratches in the acrylic from wiping off the salt creep.

 

[Anonymous]

I use dripping wet paper towel to wip salt creep. Spring some water on it also help with the crusty deposit. For those that true paranoid, use a vaccuum.