An LED lighting system, comprising: a housing forming a channel spanning between a first end and a second end, the channel having side walls; the housing forming a rigidbackbone structure having a length between the first end and the second end and having a width, the length being longer than the width; the first end and the second end of the housing each having electrical connectors for connection to a power source; an LED array divided into sets of LEDs, the LED array extending along the length of the housing within the channel, each LED in the LED array having a power rating of greater than 0.5 watts; the housing being sufficiently heat conductive to provide heatdissipation for the LEDs; onboard current control circuitry for the LED array, the onboard current control circuitry being carried by the housing and located within the channel and being in electrical communication with the electrical connectors; theonboard current control circuitry being formed of multiple current controllers, each current controller of the multiple current controllers providing current control for a corresponding set of LEDs in the LED array; a domed transparent or translucentcover secured to the side walls of the housing over the channel; and the first end and the second end of the housing each being capped by respective caps that prevent movement of the transparent or translucent cover in relation to the housing.