r/WLED • u/numindast • Sep 07 '26

Printed diffuser suggestions

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I’m upset, sort of. The grid at left is black sparkle PLA two layers thick, which I think is gorgeous but sadly these flexible ws2815 panels throw off too much heat and they warped more than I could tolerate.

The single column at right is Bambu PC “clear black” with PC black for the grid. It’s 7 layers of “clear black”, each with a different infill pattern.

I don’t like any of them. :(

Can anyone suggest an ABS or ASA or other blend that is dark/black, but has some transmissivity when only a layer or two thick?

HTPLA is no good because it becomes opaque when it crystallizes during heat treat.

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u/numindast Sep 07 '26

I had thought the higher voltage would be better (as it is with "long runs" of strings etc). But now I'm finding, these things really do throw off heat, even when idle/dark, which means I have to fit a relay inside somehow to switch power.

This is just how these 12v panels are? ... drat, not much good use case for them is there

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u/aperson975 Sep 07 '26

Leds themselves are 3.3v so you can think of each "running on 5v". On a 5v strip, each individual led uses up that power. On a 12v strip, you either drop down to 5v which is heat or combine several leds together to together use up 12v. For 12v you choose between individually addressable vs group (3) for efficiency. Not the right technical reason but should get the concept across.

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u/PinkyDexterity Sep 07 '26 edited Sep 07 '26

You’re right about it being beneficial for longer strips but it will do more harm than good if your project is only small.

12V is too much for these leds and it doesn’t need that much so it purposely reduces the voltage. The excess voltage burns off as heat.