Cheap Under Counter Lights

[1990C4S]

Looking for some cheap ideas for under-counter lighting.

I am thinking along the lines of either cheap Harbor Freight fixtures wired to a power supply, or buying LED's and making buying LED's and making a 'fixture', or buying strip LED's.

Or maybe I should just go to IKEA. But I do enjoy the DIY portion.....

LED Under-Cabinet Light

RATIONELL LED countertop light - aluminium-colour, 40 cm - IKEA

LED Strips - SMD 3528 Flexible LED Strips 300 LEDs

[Christien]

My in-laws have LED under the counter lights in their kitchen. Absolutely useless. The light level is way too low. Maybe 10-20% better than nothing.

[lane912]

super bright leds .com

[john70t]

I've got a 2' fluorescent with a GE plant/aquarium bulb(full spectrum).
With the yellow backsplash it gives a comforting warm glow.

[look 171]

I am still old school and use halogen or xenon(a lot less heat) lamps under there. The reason for lights under there is to see, not to save on electrical bill. LEDs have been used on various projects over the years but the good ones that put out lot of light are $$$. They work fine. We buy them from cabinet suppliers.

[JavaBrewer]

Originally Posted by look 171

I am still old school and use halogen or xenon(a lot less heat) lamps under there. The reason for lights under there is to see, not to save on electrical bill.

+1. I yanked the existing under cabinet fluorescent light fixtures, ran the 110v to a central location and used that to drive a bunch of cheap halogen puck lights under, inside, and on top of my kitchen cabinetry. Looks amazing. The bulbs are hit/miss for longevity and usually go about 6 months. But again this setup is all about lighting and appearance - not saving $$.

[1990C4S]

Originally Posted by Christien

My in-laws have LED under the counter lights in their kitchen. Absolutely useless. The light level is way too low. Maybe 10-20% better than nothing.

That's a selection issue, not a true LED issue, judging from some of the pics I've seen.

Originally Posted by john70t

I've got a 2' fluorescent with a GE plant/aquarium bulb(full spectrum).
With the yellow backsplash it gives a comforting warm glow.

I need low voltage.

[MikeSid]

You didn't specify the level of finish/appearance - i.e. Is this for a workshop or a kitchen?

I recommend this system.

Low Voltage Linear Lighting

[look 171]

Originally Posted by JavaBrewer

+1. I yanked the existing under cabinet fluorescent light fixtures, ran the 110v to a central location and used that to drive a bunch of cheap halogen puck lights under, inside, and on top of my kitchen cabinetry. Looks amazing. The bulbs are hit/miss for longevity and usually go about 6 months. But again this setup is all about lighting and appearance - not saving $$.

The bi-pin lamps are just cheap they go out all the time. Quality lamps (Constant color that will not yellow) that last a long time are out there and they don't cost that much more.

[Halm]

If you are retrofitting your own kitchen cabinets, believe me when I say you want the lowest heat output light source you can afford. We had very narrow overhang on the cabinets to work with and the choice seemed to be between Kichler LED pucks or xenon lights. We cheaped out and went with xenon. Wish we hadn't. When we turn them up to "high" everything in cabinet above starts to get warm.

[1990C4S]

Originally Posted by MikeSid

You didn't specify the level of finish/appearance - i.e. Is this for a workshop or a kitchen?

I recommend this system.

Low Voltage Linear Lighting

Kitchen. But they will ideally be hidden.

[1990C4S]

Four Head, LED Under-Cabinet Light

These are fairly bright. And ugly. They need to be hidden.

[Rusty Heap]

Home Depot and Lowes sucks major for choice in this department............put me in the "I don't care about the electric bill I want to tan under these puppies, while having slim hidden design for the wife acceptance factor........."

subscribed.

[creaturecat]

I would use led strips.
There are some great ones out there.

[A930Rocket]

I've had florescent and halogen just for accent lighting. Florescents are too bright and the halogens make the cabs so hot, you can warm bread in them.

Maybe LED's or rope lighting. The rope lighting looks good in tray ceilings.

[Rusty Heap]

Originally Posted by creaturecat

I would use led strips.
There are some great ones out there.

Please do expand on such knowledge.

[look 171]

I have a little heat under there also. So what? A little heat isn't going to burn the house down. A normal light bulb creates heat but we all use them in our homes.

The placed I buy the under counter lights from is a wholesalers to cabinet makers/contractors but I can try and find something similar for you later tonight.

[fxeditor]

Check these out from Ikea!
KOMPLEMENT LED light strip - 36 " - IKEA

Good luck,
Michael

[look 171]

.lightingshowplace.com/kichler-10595-5-light-xenon-direct-wire-under-cabinet-fixture-from-the-direct-wire-low-v-xenon-collection/p860865?source=gg-gba-pla_860865____13519237368&s_kwcid=PTC!pla!!!38451422328!g!!13519237368&gclid=CLbQwtyk0LMCFUdxQgodLH0A_Q

Many clients seem to be happy with these. One thing, they are code because they have a BX knockout on the side of the lamp to a metal sheathed cable can be connected to the lamp disappearing up under the ledge of the cabinet and they are bright. flip the rocker switch and they dim out a little, about 40%. Mine are on daily in my own kitchen.

[look 171]

Four Light Undercabinet by Kichler Lighting : 12214WH : StylesofLighting.com

Let try again