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how to power led strip


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c_frank2 
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Location: Florida, United States
Posted: March 02, 2010 at 8:10 PM / IP Logged  
I bought a strip of 60 led lights, they are 12 volts and draw 2 amps. I am using them where i cannot just use a 12v power adapter and plug them in so i was wondering about using battery power. What would be the best way to go so i am not replacing or recharging batteries all the time. they would only be running 2-3 hours a day so i was hoping to get a few weeks to maybe a month on whatever power source i go with.
Thanks
KPierson 
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Posted: March 02, 2010 at 9:12 PM / IP Logged  

Where will you be installing them?

2-3A is quite a bit of current - you'll need a decent size battery to go a month without recharging.

Kevin Pierson
c_frank2 
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Posted: March 02, 2010 at 9:40 PM / IP Logged  
A month was just wishful thinking, I would be using them in my horse trailer. The storage compartments don't have any lights in them.
oldspark 
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Posted: March 03, 2010 at 2:27 AM / IP Logged  
12V at 2A = 24AH (per hour of operation).
(aka 24W - a bit more than a brake lamp; almost half a headlamp or about 2.3rds if a single HID lamp)
But how are they wired?
60 LEDs at 2A means 2/60 = 33mA per LED.
Normally LEDs are only 20mA, but they can be higher.
But also, for 12V, they would normally be series connected.
Assume worst case that they are 3.4V LEDs (not 1.7V), then 3 in series = 3x3.4V = 10.2V with a resistor to drop say 12.7 battery volts to 10.2V meaning drop 2.5V @ 33mA (or whatever current they are).
That means 20 "strings" of 3 LEDs.
If they really are 33mA LEDs, then that is now 20x33mA = 660mA (ie, 2/3 Amp).
We are now down to an 8 AH load.
Find out what LEDs they are - ie, voltage and current; and how they are wired.
Is it 60 LEDs each with their own 12-volt dropping resistor, or series connections of 3 or 4, or maybe 6 - 8 if 1.7V LEDs?
anonymous1 
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Posted: March 03, 2010 at 2:48 AM / IP Logged  

Just to be clear, this horse trailer will be totally stand alone and not hooked to any vehicle for weeks at a time? Days?

It has no provision for tail lights and no 12v harness of any kind?

If you can't LEAVE the pwr there, you may need to just bring it with you when you need it.

oldspark 
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Posted: March 03, 2010 at 2:52 AM / IP Logged  
Or supplement with solar...
But if full time 24W, that's probably over $500 of solar panel etc.
wolfsreign 
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Posted: March 03, 2010 at 7:49 PM / IP Logged  
or you can do a 6volt batt with solar panel from autozone or something?
even a 12v if u want, thus its not an actual charger, just a maintainer. its cheap, and since u wont be using it 24/7 don't have to worry about having to start a car or anything. :)
~wolf
oldspark 
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Posted: March 03, 2010 at 8:56 PM / IP Logged  
Yep. But if they are 12V strings....
Wait for c_frank to provide the connection/LED info to see if we can reduce the consumption.
Otherwise is just sizing a battery or whatever to provide 24W = 2AH per hour = 6AH per (3 hour) day = 42AH (504W) per week or ~180AH per month.
how to power led strip -- posted image. And I just realised I confused Watts with AH in my reply above....
A 2A load is 2AH per hour etc.
The power is the AH x voltage (2AH is 24W per hour).
Damn shame I can't post-edit. Let's hope readers get this far....
c_frank2 
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Location: Florida, United States
Posted: March 03, 2010 at 9:21 PM / IP Logged  
All the info i could find for the led's is in this ebay listing
click here
c_frank2 
Member - Posts: 13
Member spacespace
Joined: January 16, 2010
Location: Florida, United States
Posted: March 03, 2010 at 9:24 PM / IP Logged  
That link is broken, use this one. I cant get the hyperlink to work right so it's just copy and paste.
http://#/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=250587661043&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT
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