Led power and resistors

[gilljaz]

Hello everyone,
I have a problem, i purchased some 12v led strips and i am now trying to match the appropriate power supply.
I have been reading ohms law, using calculators and watching you tube videos to little or no avail.
Im hoping someone can point me in the right direction.

Thanks

[PL1]

i purchased some 12v led strips and i am now trying to match the appropriate power supply.

There are different varieties of LED strips -- single color, RGB, different number of LEDs per meter, etc.

1. Can you post a link to the strips you bought?

2. What is the total length of the strip(s) are you using?  Will you be cutting the strips to length or using the entire reel?

I have been reading ohms law, using calculators and watching you tube videos to little or no avail.
Im hoping someone can point me in the right direction.

Don't worry about ohms law.  The strips have built-in current-limiting resistors.

Once we know what type of strip you are using and the length you need, we can figure out how many LEDs and that will allow us to calculate how much current they will draw.


Scott

[gilljaz]

Hi Scott,
thanks for your reply.
These are the strips i am using.

[gilljaz]

And these are the specs containing the amounts, volts etc......

Thanks for your help

[PL1]

Looks like you already have the answers you need.   

  0.56A for the marquee
  0.52A for the sides
  0.48A for the buttons
  0.28A for the base
--------
  1.84A total

A 12v, 3.5A (42W) power supply would give you plenty of wiggle room.

A 12v, 10A (120W) power supply is almost overkill, but it will work fine.

Run some yellow (standard color for 12VDC) and black (standard color for DC ground) 20 or 22 AWG wire from the power supply to each of the four groups and connect the LED strips/buttons of that group in parallel.

Euro-style terminal strips are great for hooking everything up.   


Scott

[gilljaz]

Thanks so much for your help Scott,

so i just connect all the available 6 yellow wires and plug them into one side and on the other i place all of the wires from buttons, joysticks and leds extended and plug that onto the other side?
and same would go for the 6 ground from power supply onto the ground wires from buttons, joysticks and leds?

or do i split the wires from each group and place into their own port in the terminal block?


i will prob go for a smaller power supply, but i am wanting to add 4 fans to this,
the total for these are 12v, .58a, 580ma, 6.96w + buttons, joysticks and leds are 12v, 1.84a, 1840ma, 22.08 watts,

so the new total including fans is 12v, 2.42a, 2420ma, 28.98 watts,
what power supply would be good for this please,

thanks for all your help Scott,
its taken me 3 days of reading and learning and your help has made things so much easier.

[PL1]

do i split the wires from each group and place into their own port in the terminal block?

Six wires is a very difficult bundle to properly secure with just one setscrew.

Better to only have one or two wires per setscrew. (see example below)

Power connections should be clean, corrosion-free, and mechanically solid.

i will prob go for a smaller power supply, but i am wanting to add 4 fans to this,
the total for these are 12v, .58a, 580ma, 6.96w + buttons, joysticks and leds are 12v, 1.84a, 1840ma, 22.08 watts,

so the new total including fans is 12v, 2.42a, 2420ma, 28.98 watts,
what power supply would be good for this please,

You've already got the 10A supply, no need to buy another.

A common rule-of-thumb is to use a power supply rated for about twice the total estimated current draw.
(2.42A * 2 = 4.84A or better supply.)


Scott

[gilljaz]

Thanks for all of your help

Regards
Jason