What do I need to drive 36 LEDs for solar powered light?

spinnaker

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Jan 4, 2010
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I have a LED spot light that was being run by a 12V 5AH lead acid battery. There was a board that both charged the battery and powered the lights through a PT4115 LED driver. Near as I can figure from the sensing resistors, it was supplying 606ma to the light.

The light has 36 large LEDs. There are 12 rows in parallel of 3 LEDs in series. I don't know anything else about the LEDs.

The board has since fried. I though I would resurrect the parts and pieces and build my own solar lighting system.

What us the most efficient off the shelf driver I can use for this light? I would really rather have an off the shelf pre built driver like a buck puck. I don't really want to build up a regulator from the chip level if I can avoid it.
 
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MoreGooder

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Joined
Jan 1, 2010
Messages
75
I have a LED spot light that was being run by a 12V 5AH lead acid battery. There was a board that both charged the battery and powered the lights through a PT4115 LED driver. Near as I can figure from the sensing resistors, it was supplying 606ma to the light.

The light has 36 large LEDs. There are 12 rows in parallel of 3 LEDs in series. I don't know anything else about the LEDs.

The board has since fried. I though I would resurrect the parts and pieces and build my own solar lighting system.

What us the most efficient off the shelf driver I can use for this light? I would really rather have an off the shelf pre built driver like a buck puck. I don't really want to build up a regulator from the chip level if I can avoid it.
Sounds to me like this LED arramgement is the same as 12 strips of "light strip". Are the little strips of 3 LEDs aboout 5cm (2 inches) long?

Yesterday, I applied strips of this:

http://www.ecolightled.com/product/ribbon_star_led_light_strip_white/led_strip_light_tape

around the back of my TV to splash light on the wall. It requires 12V in. I use this powersupply http://www.ecolightled.com/product/led_power_transformer_12v_36w/led_power_supplies
(which is significant overkill wattage capable, but I like the form factor),
and this PWM dimmer (optional)
http://www.ecolightled.com/product/led_pwm_dimmer_inline_12V/pwm_led_light_dimmer

At full 12V it is rather irritating due to brightness.
Several online shops sell identical or similar items.

You only need a minimum of 1.46W per foot at full brightness! BUT, since you described the LED's as being very large, the will likey require more wattage. Can you post a picture?

Hope that helps!
MG
 
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