I want to use some cheap LED strings for a landscape application. My current landscape xfmr puts out 12VAC (actually near 14VAC to be accurate). Does anyone know of a small, 12AC to 12DC converter, sealed so outdoor use wouldn't be an issue?
small sealed 12VAC to 12VDC package
- Thread starter tome9999
- Start date
lolzertank
Enlightened
Four diodes or a bridge rectifier and a capacitor work well enough.
Besides a full-wave bridge and filter cap, some sort of circuit to regulate LED current is a must. You can even go with a simple resistor if it's only a few low-power LEDs.
Thanks, so is there a pre-packaged package that is ready made to do this?
If not, what regulator (and surrounding circuit) should I build? Can I encase that circuit in epoxy or moldable plastic or something so water won't infiltrate?
Tome
If not, what regulator (and surrounding circuit) should I build? Can I encase that circuit in epoxy or moldable plastic or something so water won't infiltrate?
Tome
Paul Baldwin
Enlightened
Hi,
I made a lamp for a mechanic friend of mine about 12 months ago using the http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.13555 driver. I potted it in epoxy resin to protect it from the elements. It's been used/abused and left outside ever since and still works :)
Maybe a good start?
Paul.
I made a lamp for a mechanic friend of mine about 12 months ago using the http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.13555 driver. I potted it in epoxy resin to protect it from the elements. It's been used/abused and left outside ever since and still works :)
Maybe a good start?
Paul.
znomit
Enlightened
AC buckpuck?
Now you're talkin' (I think) :grin2:
One of these: http://www.luxeonstar.com/buckpuck-350ma-ac-led-driver-with-leads-p-21.php
So, if I read that right, I can put 12VAC into it, and can drive a pile of LEDs. However, the output voltage claims 32VDC, won't that fry a string that usually operates at 12VDC?
Tome
32VDC is the maximum DC input voltage. As stated on the link:
350mA true constant current output regardless of the number of LEDs connected to the driver
So this would work fine whether you connected it to one LED or several in series.
spencer
Enlightened
But it is a buck driver so the input voltage HAS to be more than the output voltage.
Yes, that's definitely true. If the input is 5VDC then you can only run 1 LED. If it's 32 VDC then you can probably run 9 LEDs, possibly even 10 if they have a low Vf.
znomit
Enlightened
I haven't been through the AC datasheet but the DC needs about 1-2V overhead.
So for the OP this would mean 14V would drive what 12V is driving now.... assuming the current setup is just LEDs (cheap LED strings... could be a few things), if its a string with a built in driver who know if it will work or not.
So for the OP this would mean 14V would drive what 12V is driving now.... assuming the current setup is just LEDs (cheap LED strings... could be a few things), if its a string with a built in driver who know if it will work or not.
I was thinking of buying a cheap xmas light string of led lights and cutting off the AC plug and voltage converter they have (or at least the ones I saw had) and driving the LEDs directly. I admit I don't know the LED specs but did see some 12VDC lights here:
http://www.imaginarycolours.com/Mer...193&Category_Code=12vStrings&Product_Count=13
That I figured might be similar...
Tome
