Was in IKEA tonight and noticed this seasonal item.

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60126365

Picked up a few to experiment.

It is designed to run off 3v DC battery pack, but I put a few in series and was able to drive off a 12VAC transformer and DIM (dimming is not smooth - likely due to LED characteristics of trying to dim by voltage level rather than straight PWM).

For install they would fit through an 1/8" hole, but the light point is more like 1/32-1/16". Could use drywall, MDF, acrylic - fielders choice (yes - I'm typing this while watching the Sox in game 7; just scored 1-0!!).

At $2 for 10 points (read $2 or less per square foot), this sounds ideal. I have about an 80-100 sq foot ceiling area to do, so I am close to going out tomorrow and buying 100 of these (I will clearly have extra - only looking for 7-8 points/stars per sq foot) unless anyone foresees an issue (e.g., DIMMing - using Graphik Eye + magnetic xformer - DID NOT TEST THIS - used an old Train xformer).

db

You have any pictures on how this looks?

Check back later. Building 2' square star panel.

Another questions would be, does the power flow bypass burnt out bulbs?

It would be a pain to have the whole display go dark and be forced to take the thing apart to locate the dead one each time a single bulb burns out.

Another questions would be, does the power flow bypass burnt out bulbs?

It would be a pain to have the whole display go dark and be forced to take the thing apart to locate the dead one each time a single bulb burns out.

Well, there's no filament to burn out, they're LED's.

Can anyone recommend a substrate for the ceiling, e.g., MDF panels?

If I use MDF panels, how much support is needed to keep them from sagging (e.g., for a 1/4", 1/2" or 3/4" panel)?

I would prefer to use the largest possible panels, e.g., 4x10

db

less expensive than other star ceilings? what is the benefit?

any pictures yet?

As I posted and other people have mentioned in the star ceiling thread (in the home theater accessories forum), You can get the string of xmas lights, about 60 lights, for $8 and they just use an AC outlet.

I bagged it.

The interbulb spacing did not permit appropriate arrangements.

db