I'm interested in making a wall display using a translite. Since they are designed to be backlit, I want to include backlighting in the frame. I have the skills to build a custom frame but I'm unclear of how to do the lighting. My initial idea would be to use LED light strips using white (or maybe RGB?) 5050 strips, a dimmer/remote as a switch, and an appropriate power supply. Has anybody used something like this?

The other question is how to arrange the lights inside the frame. One way would be to run them around the inside edge; if the frame size is 18X28 that would give (2*18 + 2*28) about 7.5 feet of light strip; even at 125 lumens per foot, that's almost 1,000 lumens. If that's not enough to reach the center, I could run them up and down the frame and have a full 15 foot strip or even multiple strips. I'm not sure about this as it would seem like the lights would create "hot spots" and be visible through the translite although some kind of diffuser could be used.

I'm hoping to avoid the cost and headaches of trial and error so has anybody got experience in this?

That’s certainly the easiest way if the translite is the right size. I wonder how it's lit.

That sounds awesome for somebody who is more skilled than I am. Maybe start with an original light board and wiring harness.

I'll have to look at this in depth when I have a bit of time; I think it is exactly what I am looking for. The vendor product looks interesting as well as the video on how the other person made their own. I wish I had seen that thread when I googled it.

Great video; it's just what I was looking for. It looks like you are using a full (or close to full) 16 foot strip of lights. What type of LEDs did you use (5050, 3528, etc) and density (300 LEDs or 600 LEDs for the 16 foot strip?). Mounting the LEDs to a foam back so it is readily replaceable is a great idea as the LEDs can fail.

The snap in frame looks like a super slick answer on getting the translite mounted in the frame. The only catch is that they are much more expensive than just building the frame to allow the translites to slide in and out. I'll have to keep that in the back of my mind if building proves difficult.

The way you have built the frame so the translite slides in from the top is what I was initially thinking of. That method is not as slick as the snap closed ones but it would only cost a few dollars. The snap closed style would work well if you wanted to have just one and swap different translites in but they would all have to be the same size. If you wanted two like you have, the snap closed frames alone would be $120!

The way you have done your lighting is interesting; you are mimicking the original light pattern. I'm assuming the light pattern is different for the two translites. What did you do for the alpha numeric displays; did you cover them with some kind of blue film? I'm not seeing any power cable on the finished product; is that a battery box? If so, how many batteries are you using and how long do the batteries last? How are you switching it on and off?

I just checked the prices of plastic at the local Home Depot and find that they are not going to be a source; way too expensive. The spotlight displays frame may be the best choice just due to the fact that it comes with front and rear plastic.