Started such a organization just this week myself given the "shelving" of a rushed 4-node wide super hight output
LED project requiring 2x 1KW
PSU's and 4x800w Decoders necessary for the first
phase of it's
build once given it's cost to do especially in a rush.
Silicone IP-65 tape yellows, than starts to crack after years of storage or use. Bagging it is probably a good idea for extra's or stuff to re-use in storage. Non-Silicone coated tape doesn't really go bad in yellowing, but there is high output and generation changes with it. The high output White I currently use is a lot brighter than the high output I used to get. One should if possible bag and
mark part number or if not specified
color temperature and luminous output of what's being stored. If you have gear in storage or on show using a specific older generation
LED tape in use, you should keep what remains of it in
stock for repairs - no matter how old or what generation of the tape. A bin of really old
LED stuff is needed. Though normally, if a show comes back and needs repairs, a total re-LED'ing of all will be necessary. Organized as if
gel or
gobo storage locker's for spares of
LED tape from a project? Might work well in knowing what to
throw or give away. New stuff won't match the bin/lot number.
Bin numbers / lot numbers for
LED tape has constantly been a problem in matching up color wise as with orientating the
LED tape in the same direction - believe It or not a factor.. On a project, it's recommended you
lay out,
power up and compare and contrast before install all
LED tape to see what's clearly different in output in different "bin/lot number." That or your designer's might note a tape or three that are different after done. This is also where matching all tape going in the same direction will become a detail. If you have same lot number tape left over from a
build that's been matched up for being the same output and color, the
purchase order or in some way lot number and show should be written on the storage bag for the tape. Store that tape so you can replace it where needed - given it might not match years later in use as much... but it was bought and paid for from that show so worth a try.
Keep your
PSU's, especially the extra's of them under supervision - especially the
wall wart. If you give away the old or used tape to someone wanting say a small project with it, the
PSU's to
power it up might walk with it. On the other
hand there is old school
PSU's and decoders that you will never use again which should be available. The technology has advanced, also so has the wattage in use so a lot of it is obsolete to store. Segregate what you need in tape and
PSU's/Decoders from what is obsolete.
Certainly get rid of or give away what is not viable. Have a good and mostly-trusted staff under you to organize and do a "good job" under you. I'm inspecting lamps this week and the person assigned to the project is constantly asking what to do with or what to save. That's a good thing in giving instructions and thoughts, but leaving up to his "best judgement" what to get rid of, donate or save given above storage needs to match really old storage tape for stuff that might still need a repair at some
point.
We also have a large amount of elder control and
power supply gear that we are working on putting away as It were. Somewhat up for grabs at this
point in storing or getting rid of, but I'm at this
point in too much in storage and short of space - especially on the lower amperage decoders and
power supplies.
LED tape storage... a good idea would be for storage of what remains from a use of it in a sealed bag and in a storage cabinate marked for show and lot number. When the show is done and with no more use of it, also pull the spare tape. Get rid of it.
Save what is left from a
build from a
current show or what's in storage for other shows no-matter how old. Start to get rid of the rest.
Leave yourself a lot of at least 24" strips of
LED tape for prototypes.
As for the "used tape" pulled of something not useful any longer.... yes and no. If the double sided tape has not been on long, one can pull it off and say apply some scotch 3M type 35 tape to the double sided tape of the backing of the
LED tape. It will remove cleanly and be able to be re-applied. Otherwise you can
peel off the VHB double sided tape from the back of the
LED tape, and apply new VHB tape to it, and normally it will work fine. Re-used especially non-IP-65 tape is very forgiving. Solder welds and pad's of the
led tape lifting off in re-use or even new use is more a problem than old tape. Depends on budget. I normally get rid of old tape and just save cutoffs for prototypes. Than get rid of them progressively as we get too many.