DIY Outdoor LED
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Option 2 would require larger current (2.4A at 12V will require at least 4.8A at 6V) so the problem just gets worse. Better to increase the voltage, maybe run 24V and regulate down to 12V at each light?
@mfalkvidd
But i already have server grade 12v power supplies and i dont want to buy new ones.Is the LED really going to draw 2.4A? I will hook up one today and measure.
What's the max safe amount of current i can carry on 14/2 LV wire?
If push comes to shove, i might do multiple runs 😢
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@mfalkvidd
But i already have server grade 12v power supplies and i dont want to buy new ones.Is the LED really going to draw 2.4A? I will hook up one today and measure.
What's the max safe amount of current i can carry on 14/2 LV wire?
If push comes to shove, i might do multiple runs 😢
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Each led would draw around 410ma
5/12=.416 -
Each led would draw around 410ma
5/12=.416@Boots33 correct! I edited my previous calculation. Sorry for misleading you @activemind My voltage drop calculations are off by 5x so you will be able to use 5 lights instead of 1 at 2.4A. That means you'll only get in trouble if you plan to use 20+ lights.
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@Boots33 correct! I edited my previous calculation. Sorry for misleading you @activemind My voltage drop calculations are off by 5x so you will be able to use 5 lights instead of 1 at 2.4A. That means you'll only get in trouble if you plan to use 20+ lights.
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Slightly off topic question, but I am looking for a benchtop power supply (yeah! been managing without one for so long) and wanted y'all opinion on this:
Or
Or something else that doesnt cost a fortune.(<$100).
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Or this one looks interesting too...good reviews on Amazon
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Ended up blowing the regulator on a 5V pro mini when powered at 12V. Maybe its the "clone" part from china that is causing this but it gave out smoke and finally died when powered at 9V.
Going to assemble another 5V pro mini and power at 5V to test the board and circuit.
Thinking about putting a hefty 150R 1W ressistor before feeding 12V to RAW in final circuit.
Thoughts?
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Ended up blowing the regulator on a 5V pro mini when powered at 12V. Maybe its the "clone" part from china that is causing this but it gave out smoke and finally died when powered at 9V.
Going to assemble another 5V pro mini and power at 5V to test the board and circuit.
Thinking about putting a hefty 150R 1W ressistor before feeding 12V to RAW in final circuit.
Thoughts?
-AM
You could also use an external regulator module to supply the 5v. at the moment you are running right on the pro mini maximum voltage which in my mind is never a good thing for long term reliability. I have used these modules with great success, they work with a wide level of input voltage and can be adjusted, so can be set to 5v or 3v output . They are quite cheap as well so if you have the room they may be worth a look.
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Yeah, those would work good and I can feed 5V rather than 12V ar RAW pin.
How are these adjusted to output 5V?
edit: nevermind, I see the pot screw to adjust the output voltage.
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assembled another pro mini board and powered it using 5V wall wart this time, no 3v3 on the board. I think I blew 662K part too.
Let me try replacing it.
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replaced the 662K part and now it seems to be working fine. I dug up my stash and found one step down converter like above. Let me power the node using it and see how it goes.
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Powering a motion sensor sketch using the buck converter above. I wish I had my 12V relays in...
Here is a pic:
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Connected the whole thing up....working nicely.
Though I do see a flicker when I try to dim it...
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Figured out the flicker issue, it was the power supply. I was using a puny 750mA wall wart which could handle the PWM duty cycle. Once I put my hefty 12V power supply, its behaving fine.
I built a perfboard and the FET and was able to fit everything in a plastic DIY box from ebay.
How do I weatherize this because this will be outside exposed to elements? Also thinking of making some holes in the box to vent out some heat.
Whats the best way to do this?
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Ready to rock n roll...
Packaging is done though I dont know how weatherproof this is going to be..
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Ready to rock n roll...
Packaging is done though I dont know how weatherproof this is going to be..
@activemind looks good. I use these boxes outside. Just turn it upside down and your circuit should be protected from rain. I'm not sure your connectors will survive on the long run. (in fact i'm sure they won't :wink: )
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Thanks for your response. Whats my other options for connectors? I really dont want to hardwire it.
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Thanks for your response. Whats my other options for connectors? I really dont want to hardwire it.
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@activemind you could either:
- use waterproof connectors
- don't use connectors and apply some sealing kit
- ignore the rusting and take action when it stops working :wink:
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I think i will go with option#3 for now. These are landscape lights...world won't end if they go off after some time.
Lets see how long it lasts and if its too short then i could look at other options.
Plan to build 9 more of these ( total 10) and run some 14/2 LV this weekend. Will post pics when done.
I tested the light last night at its prospective location and it works like a champ. Nrf range aint that bad for the price ☺
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