Lights under ice skating rink

I haven't done it.  But here's an idea.  If you use 1/4" white foam board ($1 for a 20" x 30" sheet at DollarTree or at craft stores), you could illuminate from below using the ubiquitous 12V LED lighting strips.  Shown is just a basic white LED strip but they also come in Red-Green-Blue versions where you can change or sequence the light colors automatically using low-cost (under $5) LED controllers.

Stan, thanks.  I actually have one of those led strips, but it must be plugged into a wall outlet (110-120volts).  I want to use only my transformer  to power all layout lights.  I was thinking of using several individual leds (I have several) that have the rectifier included so they can be powered directly from the transformer.  My primary question centered on what light distribution/color pattern would look best, as it would be messy to install and uninstall should I not like it.  Several years ago someone on this forum posted a picture of what I'm talking about.  However, I did not know back then that that is what I planned to do.

OK, it sounds like you have a plan.

If you get bare LED strips, most run on 12V DC.  If you want to power it from the Accessory voltage on a transformer (14V-16V AC), there are AC-to-DC converter modules on eBay (or elsewhere) for about $3. 

The point about foam board was if you wanted a uniform, diffused back-light on the rink surface rather than hot-spots.  So as shown in the video, if placed about 1" or so above the LED strips, you can't make out the individual LEDs.   In general, individual LEDs have a narrower, conical light output whereas the LED strips have a broader, wider beam (depends on what you're after of course). 

In case you're not familiar, I show a Red-Green-Blue LED strip along with a RGB LED controller module at the bottom.  The module has 3 flat button right on it to program it to do dozens of different things - sweep thru all the colors, adjust brightness, display only a single color, flash, etc.  Or for another dollar or two you can get a fob remote to change the lighting pattern. 

I realize I'm over-complicating this for your project but maybe it can help with another scenery project.

Stan, how cool would the skating rink be with the controllable RBG strips, that would be a great effect!

If you REALLY want uniform light, and if you have an old broken laptop or flatscreen TV around, take it apart and you will likely find a edge diffuser for the backlight. It is basically a very thin prism that distributes edge lighting uniformly across the screen.  While you are at it, you can reuse the tiny fluorescent tube that was used until recently as the backlight.

A low-tech example! Incandescent Christmas lights under sanded plexiglas:

Jim

stan2004 posted:

OK, it sounds like you have a plan.

If you get bare LED strips, most run on 12V DC.  If you want to power it from the Accessory voltage on a transformer (14V-16V AC), there are AC-to-DC converter modules on eBay (or elsewhere) for about $3. 

The point about foam board was if you wanted a uniform, diffused back-light on the rink surface rather than hot-spots.  So as shown in the video, if placed about 1" or so above the LED strips, you can't make out the individual LEDs.   In general, individual LEDs have a narrower, conical light output whereas the LED strips have a broader, wider beam (depends on what you're after of course). 

In case you're not familiar, I show a Red-Green-Blue LED strip along with a RGB LED controller module at the bottom.  The module has 3 flat button right on it to program it to do dozens of different things - sweep thru all the colors, adjust brightness, display only a single color, flash, etc.  Or for another dollar or two you can get a fob remote to change the lighting pattern. 

I realize I'm over-complicating this for your project but maybe it can help with another scenery project.

Stan, again thanks for the suggestions.  I used True Scenes "stuff" to line the hole in the foam board, tinting it a medium blue.  It's been interesting, though, getting that stuff dried.  Foam board absorbs zero moisture, so have been using a heat gun several times a day for several days to dry it.  Getting close.  The led lights you recommend sound interesting.  I'll definitely look into it.

Avanti posted:

If you REALLY want uniform light, and if you have an old broken laptop or flatscreen TV around, take it apart and you will likely find a edge diffuser for the backlight. It is basically a very thin prism that distributes edge lighting uniformly across the screen.  While you are at it, you can reuse the tiny fluorescent tube that was used until recently as the backlight.

Pete, thanks for the suggestion.  At the moment I don't have an old laptop or flatscreen TV, but if I ever do..........

Jim Policastro posted:

A low-tech example! Incandescent Christmas lights under sanded plexiglas:

Jim

Jim, I thought it was you who showed this in answer to one of my forum questions a few years ago.  This is what I had in mind.  Did you sand the plexiglas to create skater grooves in the ice?  What grit did you use?  I like those skater hazards you placed on the pond