Recommend a voltage regulator for LED strips?

[demonboy]

I'm installing some lovely LED strip lights but I understand that the fluctuating voltage of a marine system can shorten their lifespan. I'm interested to know if anyone has successfully installed and used a/some voltage regulator(s) for LED strip lights. (Something like this: http://www.theledlight.com/rg12regulator.html)

Any recommendations?

 

[elton]

Constant current is a far better method of driving LEDs than voltage regulation.

I can't recommend an off the shelf constant current driver because I build my own.

 

[prv]

For what it's worth, I've had several strips of cheap eBay LEDs wired up straight to the 12v supply for a couple of years now, with no sign of any problems. I might be more cautious with nav lights, but for internal illumination I'm inclined to suck it and see.

Pete

 

[demonboy]

Constant current is a far better method of driving LEDs than voltage regulation.

Hi elton. After reading your post I've discovered many constant current drivers for the marine environment so it's a useful answer, but I'm interested to know what the difference is. What is the difference between the mechanics and what advantages does a constant current driver offer over voltage regulation?

 

[demonboy]

For what it's worth, I've had several strips of cheap eBay LEDs wired up straight to the 12v supply for a couple of years now, with no sign of any problems. I might be more cautious with nav lights, but for internal illumination I'm inclined to suck it and see.

Hi Pete. Our entire interior is being fitted out with them (see here...)

... so I'm just being cautious. We've got around 20m in total so if there's a suitable/cheap solution, I'll go for it. Looks like there are quite a few options out there.

 

[Cardo]

I have various LED strips throughout the boat. Started fitting them approx 2 years ago. The initial 5m reel, which I've cut into three strips and fit throughout the boat, is now really starting to struggle. The two pieces that have been used the most have many sets of three LEDs that are either very dim or completely out. It's not a massive issue, as it's easy to replace them, once I can be bothered.
I have a newer, beefier looking strip on our bimini, which I fitted this past winter. That one is fine, so far. But we shall see!

All this with the strips wired direct into the lighting circuit, no regulator.

 

[TheEcho]

I think our ship's engineer wired up a buck regulator like the LM2596 to our LED strip. It cost no more than a pound or two.

 

[elton]

Hi elton. After reading your post I've discovered many constant current drivers for the marine environment so it's a useful answer, but I'm interested to know what the difference is. What is the difference between the mechanics and what advantages does a constant current driver offer over voltage regulation?

This is a decent overview http://www.maximintegrated.com/en/app-notes/index.mvp/id/3256

I prefer constant current drivers because multiple LEDs (with consideration for the sum of forward bias voltages for each LED in relation to the supply voltage) can be driven from one source, with no addition current limiting resistors necessary. This reduces overall power consumption for multiple LEDs considerably, as less power is dissipated needlessly by current limiting resistors.

 

[demonboy]

This is a decent overview http://www.maximintegrated.com/en/app-notes/index.mvp/id/3256

I prefer constant current drivers because multiple LEDs (with consideration for the sum of forward bias voltages for each LED in relation to the supply voltage) can be driven from one source, with no addition current limiting resistors necessary. This reduces overall power consumption for multiple LEDs considerably, as less power is dissipated needlessly by current limiting resistors.

Useful link, thank you. With these considerations in mind though, wouldn't I have to work out the total current required for each light circuit? With a mix of 5050, 3528, white and red, this could be complicated, or have I misunderstood how these work? Could I get away with four drivers, one for each circuit, each with different current requirements?

 

[Beyondhelp]

Just one note that constant current drivers can produce RF noise and the strips of LEDS act as an antenna. Be careful with your design here.

And yes you would need one driver per strip. To be honest, you should really use one driver per series set of LED's, but thats impossible and also impractical.

Also pointless trying to make when you can buy so cheap: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251172592893

 

[GHA]

Hi elton. After reading your post I've discovered many constant current drivers for the marine environment so it's a useful answer, but I'm interested to know what the difference is. What is the difference between the mechanics and what advantages does a constant current driver offer over voltage regulation?

Constant current keeps things nice and steady with differences in temperature and other things, sounds like you've strips with current limiting resisters in there already so probably a voltage regulator would be fine. May well be fine without anything, many people seem to get away with nothing, but as yours is a cruising boat it might be prudent to be nice the the lights and keep the voltage steady, one day you might forget the batteries are getting equalised and turn them on with lots of volts. EBay has lots, search for buck/boost dc should bring a selection up.

 

[demonboy]

FYI I found this thread in the archives:

http://www.ybw.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-362656.html

 

[nigelmercier]

FYI I found this thread in the archives ...

There are a few negative comments afterwards, but Adrian knows his stuff.

The problem is that a constant current circuit is ideal, but needs to be fitted to each lamp, so unless built-in to the LEDs it is impractical. A constant voltage regulator is the next best thing, and this can be fitted to the lighting circuit.

Providing the lamps are all LEDs (or the current is in range), something like this is ideal: http://amzn.to/1wboDsf

 

[demonboy]

There are a few negative comments afterwards, but Adrian knows his stuff.

The problem is that a constant current circuit is ideal, but needs to be fitted to each lamp, so unless built-in to the LEDs it is impractical. A constant voltage regulator is the next best thing, and this can be fitted to the lighting circuit.

Providing the lamps are all LEDs, something like this is ideal: http://amzn.to/1wboDsf

Thanks, Nigel. Your post coincided with me searching for something similar. I've worked out that each of my circuits would draw 10a if I were to switch all the lights on, so this sort of thing is ideal. I was also interested to read about heat dissipation and it occurred to me that my strips are mounted directly onto wood. I'll be taking them all down again and will fit aluminium plates.