Introduction: LED Strip Tailgate Light
Let me show you the best led strip tailgate light
Step 1: Best Tailgate Light Strip 2017
I hope you’ll agree with me when I say:Truck Fanatics is not possible today without a good Tailgate Light Strip…Or is it? Well,there is the only ONE problem.Finding that “Good” tailgate light strip isn’t an easy job.That’s why I have created a list of Best Tailgate Light Strip. After searching online and spending several days in testing these LED Strips from Amazon,I will recommend some tailgate light strips which are worth to buy right now.
Step 2: A.Difference Between the SMD 3538 and 5050 LED Chip
We named SMD LED chips as 3528,2835,5050 because of their size. Some are brighter than others and some products more light per watt. You can choose the chips based on the use-case. For more information, please read below.
Tailgate light strip can be manufactured with various of LED chips. The numbers you see such as 3528 and 5050 refer to the size of the chip.
Look at the picture blow. SMD LED chips are called SMD 5050 because the dimensions of the chips are 5.0mm x 5.0mm. It has 3 LED diodes in one housing (sometimes called tri-chips), and are much brighter than individual 3528 LED chips. Though they produce more heat than smaller chips, it is still drastically lower than other lighting options. These types of LEDs require a thicker PCB to draw the heat away from the chips. However,B SMD LED chips are called 2835, because the dimensions of the chips are 2.8mm x 3.5mm, while C SMD LED Chips is 3528.
Step 3: B.What Does the IP66 IP67 IP68 Mean?
There has always been considerable confusion regarding the rating systems for ruggedized truck accessories.If aunit is described up to the standard, that can be helpful in making a decision as to which truck accessories to purchase, depending on the user's needs. This is only a brief summary. Please review additional sources if you areinterested in some other professional deninition.
IP Ratings: (Ingress Protection or International Protection) - The Ingress Protection rating system is aclassification system showing the degrees of protection from solid objects and liquids.The first number refers to the protection against solid objects, normally dust in relation to testing Pocket PCs. If the first number is 0, thereis no protection provided. A number 5 refers to limited protection against dust. The number 6 is for totalprotection against dust.The second number of the IP rating system refers to protection against liquids. A “0” indicates no protection, while a 7 refers to protection against immersion between 15 centimeters and 1 meter. The following two tables give the protection descriptions.
IP First number - Protection against solid objects
0, No special protection
1, Protection against accidental touch by hands
2, Protection against objects such as fingers
3, Protection against tools and wires
4, Protection against tools, wires, small wires
5, Limited protection against dust
6, Protected from dust
IP Second number - Protection against liquids
0, No Protection
1, Protection against vertically dropping condensation
2, Protection against direct sprays of water up to 15 degrees from vert.
3, Protection against direct sprays of water up to 60 degrees from vert.
4, Protection from sprays of water in all directions. Limited water ingress permitted
5, Protection from low pressure jets of water in all directions. Limited water ingress permitted
6, Nearly the same as # 5, except for ship decks
7, Protected against the effects of immersion in water to depth between 15 cm and 1 meter
Most tailgate light strips are rated IP67. They are protected from dust and capable of withstanding waterimmersion between 15 cm and 1 meter for 30 minutes.
Step 4: C.How Does Tailgate Light Strip Perform in Low Temperature?
LED lighting systems are actually the preferred lighting option for cold environments (to around 20 degrees).They work well with both interior and exterior fixtures. Unlike CFLs, LED lights have no problem starting up intemperatures about 20 degrees. Also, because LED lights contain no glass components, they are more able to withstand extreme sudden temperature changes. They are durable and perfect for outdoor applications.
However, there comes a question, Why My tailgate light strip doesn’t work well in low temperature? Especially in the snowing day.The reason comes from the PCB (Printed circuit board), in order to reduce the cost of products,many manufacturers will choose the cheaper PCB as drive circuit. So, when the tailgate light strip working in the low temperature, the resistance value in the PCB will rise rapidly, that’s why the led brightness becomes lower than usual.
Step 5: D.The Difference Manufacturing Technique Between Drivepipe and Drop of Glue
Drivepipe has a good protection in shipping. It can also protect the SMD led ships and PCB of breakdown when you are driving in rough environment. However, with the thick drivepipe the light strip will become heavy. There is another disadvantage: It’s hard to clear inside as the drivepipe is completely seal.
While Glue can be cleard easily and light.In my opinion,glue fits for DIY fans as it can be cut and soldered as what you want. But glue is too thin to protect the SMD les strips during shipping. Well,that’s all the explanation of those parameters in the form.
Now Let me show you these 4 Tailgate Light Strip, all of them have these function:
Tail lights: all red LEDs light up
Rear left turn signal: left LEDs light up
Rear right turn signal: right LEDs light up
Brake: all Red LEDs light up
Reverse: all White LEDs light up
Rear left turn signal: left LEDs light up
However, each brand has it’s advantage, let me show you one by one.
Step 6: 1.GD-Lighting
This (led tailgate strip) uses 3528 chip and has 3M tape to fasten on truck tailgate.However the GD-Lighting can not work in the low temperature,if you live in Minnesota, this tailgate light strip can not work normally in winter.By the way,this Amazon store only sells two products.I think you may get a quick reply if you have any question.
Step 7: 2. IJDMTOY
As a famous autoparts local retailer, they are also selling tailgate light strip in Amazon. However, it seems that ijdmtoy not performance well in this product. Let’s look at the review from Amazon. The 5 star review has 43%, but 1 stat review reach to 36%.What’s more, I have read the 1 star reviewer’s comment, most of them complain about the tailgate light strip with a bad quality (life time 0.5-3 months) and IJDMTOY doesn’t give any reply to those 1 star reviewers that makes me shocked.
For the above reason, although IJDMTOY is a famous brand, I do not recommend its tailgate light strip to you.
Step 8: 3.Partsam
Partsam, one of the truck accessories sellers in Amazon. From 2012, in order to offer better shipping service, we have built 2 warehouses in CA and MS besides FBA. If you follow they, you will notice that we develop and launch new products with High Quality and affordable price continuously.
Now let me introduce the tailgate light strip from Partsam. Equiped the 3528 SMD led strip and We choose the best PCB for the drive circuit to make it working efficient even at negative 20 Fahrenheit! The best part...no drilling required! Simply prep, peel, press onto your pickup and this add-on is as good as factory installed. Comes with a tough-as-nails adhesive enhancer.No need to drill. Plug 'N' Play Ready Plugs directly into you trailer adapter for a quick install.
Step 9: 4.OPT7
OPT7’s Tailgate Light Strip is really nice,5050 SMD led ships with IP67 level Dust&Waterproof. It can be said that all the parameters are top level. However, do you really think we have to use all primeum equipment of every parameter and specification? In my opinion, if you are the fanatic DIY Truck Fans who pursues perfection, then I think opt7 tailgate light strip is really good choice for you. But if you want it to be just the tailgate light strip, I think the price $59.99 makes that choice not that good.
Step 10: Final Words – Wrapping It Up
Considering how the market of tailgate light strip is pretty saturated. The list was carefully crafted, keeping in mind things like the needs of a customer and how much are they willing to spend on a tailgate light strip.
If you want to know more about led lighting info,please come here: