12v LED Strip lighting - do I need a regulator ?

superheat6k

superheat6k

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I am installing some RGB LED strip lighting, which is rated at 12vdc. Do I need to install a voltage stabiliser to maintain a constant 12v supply or is the natural variation between 12.5 - 14vdc without / with alternator running OK for these lights ?

If so does anyone have a specific regulator they can recommend - seem to be many types on Ebay.

Any LED strip makers to avoid I don't fancy having an installed firework display ?

Thanks
 
When I bought some strip from a supplier in Cumbria (can't remember his name) he recommended and supplied a regulator. Before I fitted the regulator 2 adjacent leds burnt out on the strip so I suspect the answer is "yes". Since fitting the regulator all has been well.
 
It rather depends on the set-up. Presumably you have a colour mixer / controller type box attached to make the colours change? This may have some kind of voltage regulation built in, and during the colour fades some of the LED junctions will be running at a fraction of their capacity. However, personally I'd use a regulator.
 
Have converted entire boat with LED strip.
The quality of the stuff varies wildly from supplier to supplier.
Buy the best you can and make sure it is the waterproof encapsulated stuff.
I went for the soft white and the brightest available,avoid the really bright white as the blueness can make the light feel very cold.
We use loads of this stuff trade wise in Taxi Topsigns.have never found the need for any type of smoothing or regulator in any of our applications.Most of it will work twixt 8 and 16 volts.
Ps Recently used this stuff to illuminate both engine compartments.Entire space is now flooded with light inc all those impossible nooks and crannies,Fast and cheap to do the job just strip off the 3M double side tape and stick to anything nearbye.
 
I've got a strip around the top of the engine bay, and two strips of red and two of white over the chart table (behind a home-made diffuser made from an offcut of polycarbonate). The chart table ones are on electronic dimmers, which probably include regulation, but the engine bay strip is wired straight to the supply. It's been working fine for the last few years, and we have an alternator booster that bumps the voltage pretty high during the bulk phase; can't remember the exact figure but it's getting on for 15v. No sign of distress from the LEDs.

Pete
 
The regulator in the link might seem to be the answer. However any regulator will drop a voltage around one or 2 volts regardless of requirements. So at 14 volts in you can get a nice 12v out. But at 12volts in you only get a about 10 volts out. Now this might not matter LEDs will be a bit dimmer but possibly not noticed.
What you really need is something like a voltage sensing relay to switch in a resistor or diode to reduce the voltage only when input is high (engine or charger on). I would suggest if OP is concerned that he fit a silicon diode in series with +ve supply. This will reduce by .7 volt fit 2 if he wants to drop more. It will do just as well as a buck regulator. Or if he really wants a regulator look for a "BuckBoost Regulator" which while it loses a few volts can change to boost mode so give 12v output at 11v input.
If you can cope with cold white light a really good option is sold by the Chinese as day running lights for a car.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1PC-COB-Car...ash=item4d4bd444df:g:SuoAAOSw4shX69jK&vxp=mtr
They are obviously designed to run at 14v. They will lose brightness at 11v but still useful. olewill
 
William_H said:
The regulator in the link might seem to be the answer. However any regulator will drop a voltage around one or 2 volts regardless of requirements. So at 14 volts in you can get a nice 12v out. But at 12volts in you only get a about 10 volts out. Now this might not matter LEDs will be a bit dimmer but possibly not noticed.
What you really need is something like a voltage sensing relay to switch in a resistor or diode to reduce the voltage only when input is high (engine or charger on). I would suggest if OP is concerned that he fit a silicon diode in series with +ve supply. This will reduce by .7 volt fit 2 if he wants to drop more. It will do just as well as a buck regulator. Or if he really wants a regulator look for a "BuckBoost Regulator" which while it loses a few volts can change to boost mode so give 12v output at 11v input.
If you can cope with cold white light a really good option is sold by the Chinese as day running lights for a car.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1PC-COB-Car...ash=item4d4bd444df:g:SuoAAOSw4shX69jK&vxp=mtr
They are obviously designed to run at 14v. They will lose brightness at 11v but still useful. olewill
Click to expand...

Buck/boost converters are available now on eBay cheap, just set the output voltage and that's what the leds will see regardless of the battery voltage. .

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/XL6009-DC...545945?hash=item5d62ccc6d9:g:~BoAAOSwv9hW6Y9T
 
GHA said:
Buck/boost converters are available now on eBay cheap, just set the output voltage and that's what the leds will see regardless of the battery voltage. .

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/XL6009-DC...545945?hash=item5d62ccc6d9:g:~BoAAOSwv9hW6Y9T
Click to expand...

This particular one in a step up and down so will keep constant 12V from inputs range of over 15V to well under 11 V.

I have also used these to charge my 18V nicad battery drill from 12V boat supply.

Also useful for TV power supply if needed.

This is the one I generally use

http://www.ebay.com/itm/DC-DC-Boost...lar-Voltage-/162010927610?hash=item25b89a91fa
 
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Bear in mind that buck/boost converters are inevitably switchers which have great potential for radio interference.
If anything I would look for a 'low dropout linear regulator'.
Our white LED strips are quite old now, and less powerful than the newer ones, but have been run at 14.3V with no issues.
 
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