Walter Shillington Today, I am reviewing a smart strip light manufactured by Novostella, describing how it functions and including a set of photographs demonstrating possible uses.
Description
This 52.5-foot strip light comes wrapped around a plastic spool reminiscent of the reels used to hold 35mm movies. The spacing between each LED is 1.2 inches. A silicone casing encloses the entire strip, providing increased sturdiness and protection against water ingress. Both the remote and the downloadable application can be used to adjust the strip light’s parameters. It may be set to auto, or a specific color can be selected. The LEDs will, if desired, respond to the beat of music, and their illumination can be brightened or dimmed. This kit includes the strip light, user guide, remote control, and a two-piece AC adapter set. There is also a bag of tie wraps and a selection of brackets and screws.
Specifications
Manufacturer: Novostella Name: LED RGB light strip Model: NTS51-RGB Total length: 16 meters (52.5 feet) String width: 1.2 centimeters (0.47 inches) String thickness: 0.5 centimeters (0.2 inches) Space between LEDs: 3 centimeters (1.2 inches) Color: RGB LED type: 5050 Power: 42 Watts (max) Input voltage: 100-240VAC Protection rating: IP65 Lifespan: 50,000 hours Working temperature: -25 to 40 degrees Celsius Mercury content: Zero
The Manufacturer
Novostella is trademarked by Shenzhen Ustellar Technology Ltd.
The Remote Control
The Novostella NTS51-RGB comes equipped with a large and very competent remote that can control the strip light from any location within my house. Walter Shillington Walter Shillington It can instruct the device to display one of several different colors or to switch between them automatically. The illumination and the time between flashes may be adjusted. I can specify a steady light of one particular color or select a multicolor display that responds to the beat of the music.
Lotus Lantern
I was able to use my smartphone to download, install, and set up this application quickly. Lotus Lantern controls the strip light in a similar manner as the remote control while providing additional options. Walter Shillington
Mounting System
This light system included a bag of plastic brackets and a selection of tie wraps. I like the brackets. They can easily be secured to a wall using the provided screws. Then I push a section of the string light against each bracket until it pops into place. This method ensures the lights are correctly secured while providing a professional appearance.
Brightness and Lifespan
When set to maximum brightness, this strip light consumes 42 watts. The lifespan of the 5050 LEDs is estimated to be 50,000 hours. The possibility of a broken connection represents the primary weakness of any set of strip lights. This set from Novostella is encased within a flexible silicone sheath, which protects it from water ingress. It also stiffens the string of lights, lessening the chance of it undergoing stress of sufficient strength to open a wire.
The Window Light Test
I plugged a short extension cord into an AC outlet and ran it along the wall as far as the left edge of my picture window. After pulling the curtains fully open, I draped the string light along the curtain rod, ensuring it hung low enough to cover the entire window. I then utilized the remote control, turning on the lights, setting them to auto, and selecting the music button. Once a song began to play over my stereo, the lights responded by blinking to the beat. If I were planning a party or wanted to decorate for Christmas, this is one setup that I would be likely to use.
The Stairwell Light Test
I plugged the light system into an upstairs outlet and ran the string light along the hallway baseboard and downstairs. Until I reached the stairwell, the strip light was well secured by four of the included brackets. The remainder of the cable was loosely laid atop the edge of the staircase that extended under the railing.
My final step was to program the Novostella NTS51-RGB to emit a steady white light when turned on.
If this had been a permanent installation, the entire length of lights would have been secured with brackets. I would also have cut the unneeded LEDS from the string and used the provided glue and endpiece to seal the end.
This setup would provide helpful guidance whenever I crawled unwillingly from my bed at night and stumbled downstairs to the bathroom.
Other Uses for the Strip Light
If the rainy season ever ends, I might get a chance to pop outside and either run the strip light along my fence or wrap it around the huge tree that hovers above it. The Novostella NTS51-RGB and its fitting are well protected, but I would need to ensure a watertight connection between the AC adapter and the extension cable’s plug. My eventual plan is to run the cable along the top edge of my living room walls and program my strip light to produce a steady white light. Then it can be dimmed when watching television and brightened again when visitors drop by. I suspect the light from this device will produce interesting patterns against my stippled ceiling.
Overall Impression
This is a rugged but flexible strip light that may be used in a wide variety of situations. Both the remote and phone application provides excellent functionality. If you are searching for a capable and sturdy strip light, the Novostella NTS51-RGB should be at the top of your list. This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional. © 2021 Walter Shillington
