Touch Strip ideas ?

[PeterG]

I have installed a 1.8M LED light strip in my kitchen. Works very well, however, SHMBO has rejected all switching ideas i have put forward so far. This leads me to putting some sort of Touch switch about the same length as the LED strip. I am unsure which method to use for sensing, either a metal strip connected to a touch sensor or a bi-metal strip using capacitive sensing.

Has anyone done sure a thing?

Regards

[Maxlor]

I find IR proximity switches useful for this sort of thing. Can be mounted invisibly, and you can turn the lights on with a quick wave without having to clean your hands (or the switch afterwards), which is useful if you're in the middle of preparing something.

[dannyf]

How about aluminimum foil stripes inside a tube with your led lights? The foil functions as a capacitance sensor + light reflector and is nearly invisible in the sense that its reflectivity makes it look like the leds.

the foil can be connected to a touch lamp sensor and you are done!

[peter.mitchell]

pressure sensors in the floor, like the bond films.

[calexanian]

This one is easy...  Clap on.. Clap off.. Clap on clap off. The Clapper!!! It's all right there in the commercial! DONE! Hahahaha

[PeterG]

Thanks for the replies, i am thinking using a touch strip with touch controller will be my best option.

Touch sensor module.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/191014518025

Aluminium Tape.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/390766452772

The touch sensor has a limited current capacity but replacing the semiconductor with a decent mosfet should fit that.

My main concern is, will the length of the foil strip make the touch sensor more or less reliable. Will it become prone to false triggering etc.

Regards

[SeanB]

A long strip will be both prone to false triggering and will act as a proximity sensor, turning the lights on and off as you move around the kitchen, as well as reacting to the cellphones near to it. Short strip near to the entrance or a switch flush with the underside ( small tactile switch on a small PCB all painted white) to turn the lights on and off will be the most reliable.

[Blechi]

Hi,
long time lurker, first post.
I'd use a little IR motion detector like this one set to retrigger mode and the lens partially covered to tune the sensed area.
hth
Blechi

[calexanian]

That got me wondering. Did you ever have the clapper or some variation of it in your respective countries? Or is it just another one of those only in America land fill stuffers?

[PeterG]

The old 'clapper' switch has been and long gone i feel. Definitely not what i am looking at for this project....bit too retro....

Regards