TapeUltra-LED Flexible Tape Light
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Customizable TapeUltra-LED Lighting in Three Lumen Levels
Hera's TapeUltra-LED lighting is taking over for the TapeBasic. Almost everything about it is the same except it is brighter for each of the three levels of Tape intensity. Tape Lighting is optimal for projects requiring custom shapes and run lengths. TapeUltra-LED comes in multiple color temperatures and lumen outputs so it can be used in closets, under cabinets, in toe kicks, below breakfast bar overhangs and many other places in the home and commercial applications. Two of the versions are snap-fit connections, while the brightest is solder connections only. We will have a lot of additional notes lower on the page about things you need to know about TapeBasic U12.
Product Features:
- Self adhering, flexible 24 volt LED strip (3M peel and stick backer)
- Comes in 196" rolls only (5 meters long)
- Hera does allow the U12 version to be ordered in pre-cut lengths with soldered power cord
- U3 and U6 versions are sold by the 196" coil only
- Available in 3 densities: U3 is 320 LED's/roll 24 watts total; U6 is 640 LED's/roll 52 watts total; and U12 is 1280 LED's/roll 107 watts total
- Available in 3000K and 4000K. (The 2700K and 6500K are special order.)
- Finish: white tape with exposed LED's (actually it looks like a very faint grey to us with square yellow LED diodes)
- Good CRI > 90, Efficacy > 125 lm/W
- Estimated 50,000 hours useable life
- To be used with PS24V constant voltage drivers (choices of 6W, 30W, 75W, and 96W)
Ordering Note:
We will have extensive info throughout the rest of this page because TapeUltra-LED has a little bit involved with each version. The U3 and U6 use the same snap-fit power leads, connecting cables, and direct connectors. [Which are the same as the TapeBasic. Thus if you need to upgrade or replace any TapeBasic, you can do so with the TapeUltra.] Any can be solder connected if you prefer. The U12 must be solder connected and has a few rules associated with it, which we will outline. Whenever you have questions, please feel free to ask us.
TAPE U6 and U3 left, U12 right photo
As shown directly above, the U12 has 1280 diodes per 196" roll for a total of 107 watts per roll. It can be cut in 1.25" increments (31.25mm), the cut points are noted with the dotted line between the + and - sides of the current. Since the diodes are VERY CLOSE together at the cut points on the U12, it is recommended to use a very sharp thin razor, and use caution. It could be easy to slip and cut into a diode, or yourself. Cutting at these points will expose the wiring and allow you to solder power cables or connecting cables to the two sides. The U12 is 6.52 watts per foot, 762 lumen per foot.
The U6 and U3 have diodes spaced farther apart. You can see the brown color ovals that you would cut down the middle when creating the lengths you need. Sharp scissors or a razor can be used. The U6 has 640 diodes per 196" coil and can be cut in 2.5" increments (62.5mm). The U6 is 3.22 watts per foot, 379 lumen per foot.
The U3 has 320 diodes per 196" coil, and can be cut in 5" increments (125mm). It is 1.45 watts per foot, 184 lumen per foot.
Thus, do you see the pattern. The cut points keep reducing in capacity, the diode count keeps doubling with capacity. The brightness doubles with capacity. The U12 is 4 times brighter than the U3.
Tape U3 and U6 part numbers, pricing, and related accessories
Manufacturer: Hera Lighting
(bottom) Hera TAPE/U3/196/3000 TapeUltra 300, 196" long coil, 24 watt total per coil, 3000K warm white, 184 lm/ft, can be cut in 125mm intervals (5")
ALSO AVAILABLE:
HER-TAPE/U3/196/4000 cool white 4000K
ALSO AVAILABLE:
HER-TAPE/U3/196/4000 cool white 4000K
$169.12
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Manufacturer: Hera Lighting
(top) Hera TAPE/U6/196/3000 TapeUltra 600, 196" long coil, 52 watt total per coil, 3000K warm white, 379 lm/ft, can be cut in 62.5mm intervals (2.5")
ALSO AVAILABLE:
HER-TAPE/U6/196/4000 cool white 4000K
ALSO AVAILABLE:
HER-TAPE/U6/196/4000 cool white 4000K
$334.79
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Manufacturer: Hera Lighting
Hera TAPE/B/PC79/N8 power cable 79" long for TapeBasic 300 and 600 versions only, snap fit connection
$6.95
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Manufacturer: Hera Lighting
Hera HER-TAPE/B/CC2/N8 connecting cable 2" long for TapeBasic 300 and 600, snap fit connection
Also: HER-TAPE/B/CC6/N8 6" cable,
and HER-TAPE/B/CC12/N8 12" cable.
Also: HER-TAPE/B/CC6/N8 6" cable,
and HER-TAPE/B/CC12/N8 12" cable.
$1.67
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Manufacturer: Hera Lighting
Hera TAPE/B/DC/N8 direct connector for TapeBasic 300 and 600, snap fit connection both directions
$1.27
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Ordering notes for Tape U3 and U6:
Order the number of coils you need for your application. U3 can be cut in 5" intervals. Connecting cables or direct connectors can be used to mend shorter pieces together, some of your leftover scraps per coil, or multiple coils with a restriction on total overall length per power cord. The Tape lights can be applied on curved surfaces and have flexibility one way. If you need to turn on a flat surface you will need to cut the tape at an interval point and reconnect with a connecting cable, or solder with a twin wire at 22 guage.The U6 can be cut in 2.5" intervals. All the same connecting cables, direct connector, and power cord are used as with the U3. The PS24V/75/S 75 watt driver or PS24V/75/S/D Daisy Driver are recommended when using a full coil or a coil and partial coil mended together of the U6. Multiple TAPE/B/PC79/N8 power cables can be used on any power driver as long as you do not exceed the maximum per driver. This is important to know for closet appications as you may choose to run Tape LED lights both vertically and horizontally in a closet from a centralized power feed. So multiple runs on the same driver are permissable. And mending part of another coil onto a full coil is also allowed with the maximum length allowed per power cord kept in mind.
For LED power drivers and dimming accessories, please go to this web page: Hera LED Power Drivers and Dimmers
Tape U12 part numbers, pricing, and related accessories
Manufacturer: Hera Lighting
Hera TAPE/U12/196/3000 TapeUltra 1200, 196" long coil, 107 watt total per coil, 3000K warm white, 762 lm/ft, can be cut in 31.25mm intervals (1.25")
ALSO AVAILABLE:
HER-TAPE/U12/196/4000 cool white 4000K
ALSO AVAILABLE:
HER-TAPE/U12/196/4000 cool white 4000K
$537.30
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Manufacturer: Hera Lighting
Hera TAPE/B/PC79/ST 79" long power cord lead for TAPE Basic 1200, soldered connection only
$4.11
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Manufacturer: Hera Lighting
Hera TAPE/B/CC03/ST 3" long connecting cable for TAPE Basic 1200, soldered connection only
Also:
HER-TAPE/B/CC06/ST 6" long
HER-TAPE/B/CC12/ST 12" long
Also:
HER-TAPE/B/CC06/ST 6" long
HER-TAPE/B/CC12/ST 12" long
$0.80
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Ordering notes for Tape U12 only:
Order the number of coils you need for your application. U12 can be cut in 1.25" intervals. The U12 is solder connections only, no snap-fit clips like on the U3 and U6. The power cord and connecting cables for the U12 are 22 gauge wire, tin tipped. The tape is clearly marked with + and - signs down both side of the tape. There are many RULES about the U12.The 197" (196.85") maximum length rule per power cord feed is related to 60 watts maximum load PER WIRE. The contact points where the wire is soldered are limited to 2.5 Amps. So you do not want to exceed 60 watts of the U12 per power cord. If you are running a continuous run of the U12, such as the full coil, there is a way around this. You would use a second power cable. You can keep a full uncut spool, and have a second power cable feed the + and - sides of the Tape a few inches or few feet further down. Best not to solder them to the exact same connection point due to potential heat build up. But soldering a second cable a few inches further down the line is just fine to have a continuous run up to 197". The PS24V/96/DIM/S power driver is 96 watts and just shy of powering a full coil of the U12. Not too many applications will have need of such a long run. Most of the time you would have much shorter runs. But say you are doing the inside of a closet ceiling and following the corners (with a smooth radius bend) to the next wall. A 5' x 8' closet for instance would have a total perimeter of 26'. The 196" coil is 16 feet. You would need about 1-2/3 coils to rotate the full closet perimeter. Thus at least 2 power drivers and either 2 or 3 runs of the Tape on power cords as you follow your total distance.
If you are placing cuts in it to turn corners or angles, your mended pieces have a total Tape length restriction of 197" continuous per dual power cord. The 197" does not take the length of any connecting wires into that equation, just the Tape itself cannot go beyond 197". This is due to current and added resistance, and it is what the Hera engineers have said. I didn't make it up.
On the Tape power cable and connecting cables, they are twin wires, one side is red (positive) and the other side black (negative). Keep the polarity straight when soldering. For the connecting cables, if you want to use your own 22 gauge wire, you can. The power cord has a convenient connector on the end that snaps into the terminal blocks on the 30 and 75 watt drivers.
Hera notes in their catalog that pre-cut custom lengths of the TapeUltra U12 can be ordered with pre-assembled power cords on them. The Tape of course would have to be requested in full 1.25 inch increments. Technically the cuts are at 31.25mm. So if you ask for 80" for instance, it would be 2000mm or 78.4". We would have to request pricing from Hera for all custom length requests. If you know you will be using close to a full coil, probably best to order the full coil and solder yourself.
For LED power drivers and dimming accessories, please go to this web page: Hera LED Power Drivers and Dimmers or LED Daisy Drivers
All the TapeUltra-LED varieties are dimmable. You might want to dim the U6 and U12. On the U3, it is already low level lighting and not super bright. You may want to consider just using it at its normal full intensity. Dimming modules can be added at any time. The Tape just like Hera's other LED lights connects into the terminal block on the drivers. When setting up a dimmable system, the STICKPSDIM connects into the driver, and the lights connect into that dimming module. Real easy to sneak it in the middle after the fact if you want to. Then you have a dimming controller to control the STICKPSDIM. All LED dimming is done on the low voltage side. Note that you do not run a dimmer to an outlet and plug the driver into that outlet. It will not work. LED dimming is controlled from the low voltage side and you should use a 0-10 Volt dimmer. If planning on using the remote control dimmer, definitely choose the Daisy Drivers to make your connection real easy.
Additional spec diagrams and pictures to help with the TapeUltra-LED.
TapeUltra U3 has 320 diodes per 196" coil (5 meters). The U6 is double that at 640 diodes. The U12 doubles again to 1280 diodes. Thus the cutting intervals keep reducing with the greater diode count.
TapeUltra is available in kits too. You select the intensity and Kelvin for the Tape. The kit is composed of FOUR 50" channel extrusions (pick from U-Channel, 45 degree, or Winged), then FOUR 50" frosted lenses, ONE coil of TapeUltra, and just ONE power cord. This is how Hera does it. If you need additional power cords, you have to request them. Mounting clips are sold separately too. Gets a little crazy. So if interested in a kit, best to call us and order over the phone. If we find a way to make it easy enough to order on-line, we will update this page.
Hera Lighting summary of cabinet and display light types:
FIXED SPOTLIGHTS: R55-LED | FR68-LED | ER-LED | EYE-LED
SWIVEL SPOTLIGHTS: SR45-LED | SR68-LED | Big6/2-LED | HO-LED
SWIVEL SPOTLIGHTS: SR45-LED | SR68-LED | Big6/2-LED | HO-LED
LINEAR LED LIGHTS: ThinStick-LED | Stick3-LED | Stick2-LED | StickVE-LED | TwinStick2-LED | ELite-LED | ELite-LED XL | ELite-LED XL HO version
LED DRIVERS: LED Power Drivers, Dimmers, Switching Accessories, and Connecting Cables | New Daisy Drivers for LED Lights