mrn1989 Posted February 4, 2016 Share Posted February 4, 2016 I fancied sticking some strips on the base of my small board, but would I be able to power the 12V DC strips of 9V , would they just be dimmer? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5M-300-LED-Under-Kitchen-Cupboard-Unit-IP65-Self-Adhesive-Strip-Lights-Tape-12V-/251445849639?var=550360590629&hash=item3a8b572e27:m:m6uRAi1jPtTtWBtVAjwJl9g Any help from somebody better educated than me would be appreciated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonteee Posted February 5, 2016 Share Posted February 5, 2016 I shall start by saying that I'm no electronics expert, more of an interested amateur. LEDs are very sensitive to current. To operate, LEDs must be supplied with a voltage above their threshold voltage and a current below their rating. Current draw and lifespan are affected with even a small change in applied voltage. Because of that, LEDs require a current-regulated supply - usually just a series resistor, which I'm assuming is already in the fitting for each LED on that roll of lights. So, getting to the point - it might work, but the current draw might be unstable, and they might not last long. They won't appear dimmer on 9v though, I don't think - I would expect them possibly to flicker, but it does depend on the threshold voltage for the LED. Have you tried it out away from the board? As it's only £5.99 per 5m roll, I'd have thought it was worth a test anyway. Out of interest, would you be planning on using a separate 9v supply, or a daisy chain? I ask as the advertised power supply is a 2A unit - which suggests those LEDs must have quite a draw - although the ad says[font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif][size=3] [/size]W[color="#000000"]orking Current/meter: 0.4A[/color][/font] - that's likely per diode, or for the 300! Likely a single diode, though. As a rough reference point, most effect pedals draw around 50-100mA, which is why things like daisy chains are possible - the combined current draw on the power supply is still likely to be less than 1A. If you have a beefy power supply though, I'm sure it'd be fine. My, this has probably bored you to tears. Sorry about that... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrn1989 Posted February 5, 2016 Author Share Posted February 5, 2016 Not bored me at all as I said any help is appreciated I did purchase them as they are cheap so no big deal if if doesn't work out, I was planning on running less than 1m worth in length as it is a tiny nano board with 3 maybe 4 pedals. I was hoping to use a spare socket from the daisy chain from the 1spot which puts out 1700ma so there's is probably still 1500ma or grunt left, after pedals, that I hoped would power them? The only other thing I read about was audio interference especially as I would be running off the same power supply for both pedals and lights? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bertbass Posted February 5, 2016 Share Posted February 5, 2016 9volts, no problem. might be a bit bright though on a dark stage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonteee Posted February 5, 2016 Share Posted February 5, 2016 Like the man Bert says, should be fine. I don't think LEDs themselves give off RF interference, but controllers sometimes can. I would say the only way to know is to give it a bash. Best of luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrn1989 Posted February 8, 2016 Author Share Posted February 8, 2016 [quote name='bertbass' timestamp='1454674689' post='2971895'] 9volts, no problem. might be a bit bright though on a dark stage. [/quote] Ok cool, bright is good lol [quote name='Tonteee' timestamp='1454713530' post='2972438'] Like the man Bert says, should be fine. I don't think LEDs themselves give off RF interference, but controllers sometimes can. I would say the only way to know is to give it a bash. Best of luck! [/quote] Ok, cheers! i will stick a pic up when its done and let you know the results Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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