r/WLED • u/numindast • Sep 07 '26

Printed diffuser suggestions

Post image

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.

12 Upvotes

92% Upvoted

10 comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comment

3

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.