Led lights in shower niche

13584 Views 19 Replies 9 Participants Last post by RainMan 2.0, May 24, 2017

RainMan 2.0

Discussion Starter · May 18, 2017 (Edited)

Guys , I'm installing three 5mm white led's in the top of my Tub/ shower niche .
I've drilled 3/4" holes threw the wooden studs above the niche , and will be drilling small holes in the ceramic tile to slide the led holders in place .
My concern is mold due to condensation. I was thinking of putting fibreglass resin in the perimeter of the holes in the wood in order to make the wood waterproof , but that stuff is sure smelly .
Anything else you'd recommend to coat wood with to make it waterproof? It shouldn't get wet there , but the potential for condensation is pretty high.

Here's a pic of the back side of the wall where the wire will go down into one of the three holes . I can seal it on top of the hole easily enough once the wire is put in

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Stick486

· #2 · May 18, 2017

if everything stays dry and can breathe you'll be good to go...

RainMan 2.0

Discussion Starter · #3 · May 18, 2017

Stick486 said:
if everything stays dry and can breathe you'll be good to go...

Thanks Stick , I'm probably overthinking things as usual . These leds are not exactly water proof . I may have to put some silicone in the hole from the underside of the tile before I slide the led into place .
The problem being , if they ever burn out , I will need to pull them back down again in order to resolder the wire and replace them

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RainMan 2.0

Discussion Starter · #4 · May 18, 2017

This is basically what I'm trying to do . It's more or less a night light for when I walk into the bathroom in the middle of the night

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Reactions: 3

tomp913

· #5 · May 19, 2017

https://www.glowbowl.com/

Reactions: 1

RainMan 2.0

Discussion Starter · #6 · May 19, 2017

tomp913 said:
https://www.glowbowl.com/

Neat . I may have to clean my toilet first

Reactions: 1

sunnybob

· #7 · May 19, 2017

Rick, cut the tile so that the led is a snug fit and then a small smear of sanitary silicone around the led as you insert it will make a waterproof seal that will last years.

Dont use any kind of decorators caulk. Only sanitary ware silicone is 100% waterproof. Its what all glass aquariums are stuck together with.
When (not if) the led fails, a thin sharp blade will cut the silicone and you can replace the failed bulb.

Reactions: 2

ggom

· #8 · May 19, 2017

Hello!

Imho:

A piece of wood left in such a place would get , after a few years covered with mold,

I would, at least use a chemical that kills mold and prevent insects to get in and have a good meal.

Regards

Garyk

· #9 · May 19, 2017

Interesting idea. LED's seem to be offering unique ideas we've never thought about.

richjh

· #10 · May 19, 2017

ggom said:
Hello!

Imho:

A piece of wood left in such a place would get , after a few years covered with mold,

I would, at least use a chemical that kills mold and prevent insects to get in and have a good meal.

Regards

Have the area treated with something like this:
BORA-CARE® WITH MOLD-CARE® » Nisus Corp

TenGees

· #11 · May 19, 2017

I'm curious as to what you're going to power those with, Rick.

There are some holders that have a 'cork' around the wires. Not sure how good the seal is. Example: https://www.sparkfun.com/products/11147

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RainMan 2.0

Discussion Starter · #12 · May 19, 2017

Paul , I can't use screw in style bezels, as I have to able to remove them , and there's not going to be any access once the ceramic tile is in place .
They pretty much have to sort of snap in from the exterior . I bought these little plastic bezels that do just that .

Anyways , I'm going to probably use a 12V dc adapter plugged in the basement below the alcove .
Will be using a 510 ohm resister to each led so theres not to much current . I may raise the resistance higher in order to lower there output a bit . I don't want overly bright , just enough to provide a night light

ggom

· #13 · May 19, 2017

whow!

Been reading mold-care Label -cover on their website...
Looks like very dangerous, better wear safety googles, skin protection, do not breathe if possible...

canadian lactualité said that Virginia Tech study finds common household chemicals affect reproduction in mice.
The two active ingredients in the disinfectant — alkyl dimethyl benzalkonium chloride and didecyl dimethylammonium chloride — are typically listed by their abbreviations, ADBAC and DDAC, on ingredient lists.

Be very carefull, also about the time it takes to dry up and stops smelling...

Soft wood , if soft wood this is , needs protection , but unfortunately most of products are very dangerous...

Regards
Gérard

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RainMan 2.0

Discussion Starter · #14 · May 19, 2017

ggom said:
whow!

Been reading mold-care Label -cover on their website...
Looks like very dangerous, better wear safety googles, skin protection, do not breathe if possible...

canadian lactualité said that Virginia Tech study finds common household chemicals affect reproduction in mice.
The two active ingredients in the disinfectant — alkyl dimethyl benzalkonium chloride and didecyl dimethylammonium chloride — are typically listed by their abbreviations, ADBAC and DDAC, on ingredient lists.

Be very carefull, also about the time it takes to dry up and stops smelling...

Soft wood , if soft wood this is , needs protection , but unfortunately most of products are very dangerous...

Regards
Gérard

I was going to buy some urethane or something. Whatever would coat the wood , so a little dampness wouldn't create a problem .

Herb Stoops

· #15 · May 20, 2017

That is going to be "Too Cool' when you get it done, Rick, will make you want to get up and "Go" a dozen times a night.
Herb

Reactions: 1

TenGees

· #16 · May 22, 2017

If you run the LEDs at 24 mA or less (12v / 510 ohm) they should last as long as me, Rick. I know... not very reassuring.

Reactions: 1

ggom

· #17 · May 22, 2017

Urethane , or a good varnish should do a great job for wood protection !

I' ll suggest Passive IR detection for automatic switch-on.

Installed that in my kitchen above the sink,

that's amazing and very handy.

Regards
Gérard

Reactions: 1

RainMan 2.0

Discussion Starter · #18 · May 24, 2017

ggom said:
Urethane , or a good varnish should do a great job for wood protection !

I' ll suggest Passive IR detection for automatic switch-on.

Installed that in my kitchen above the sink,

that's amazing and very handy.

Regards
Gérard

Gerard, this is in a shower niche , and I'm thinking that leaving on the leds shouldn't be to much of a concern .
There's practically no draw from 3 individual 5mm leds , and I don't think they will be bothersome during the day.
Would be nice to not have to turn the main lights on during the night though , as I'm hoping they will act as a night light/slash display light I guess

ggom

· #19 · May 24, 2017

OK It's a fact that power consumption is low with led lights...
My kitchen lights are no led lights but halogen bulbs 3 x 50w that's why IR detection is good for me.

Regards
Gérard

RainMan 2.0

Discussion Starter · #20 · May 24, 2017

ggom said:
OK It's a fact that power consumption is low with led lights...
My kitchen lights are no led lights but halogen bulbs 3 x 50w that's why IR detection is good for me.

Regards
Gérard

Yes I would certainly have IR detection for halogens . I personally prefer Halogens , as they produce the best quality of light bar none , but for my application leds are neccesary

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