Changing adapter to LED strip lights

[john738]

I want to install under-cabinet LED strip lights in my kitchen and was thinking of getting this kit (5m, warm white, non-waterproof):

5M LED Strip Lights 12V 5050 Waterproof Tape Cabinet Kitchen Lighting Dimmable | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 5M LED Strip Lights 12V 5050 Waterproof Tape Cabinet Kitchen Lighting Dimmable at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

The adapter that comes with it however is not suitable for my installation as it's all fused in one piece with the plug, while I need an adapter with a cord that can be unplugged from it as I intend to hardwire it to a switch on the wall - so I thought I could replace that adapter with an equivalent *corded* one.

The specs of the adapter that comes with the kit are as below:

Input Voltage: AC100-240V, 50-60Hz
Output Voltage: DC12V
Adapter Model: DC12V3A
Power: 7.5W/m
Type of Bulb: 5050LED

However the corded adapters I'm finding online only have a higher wattage - 36W instead of 7.5W - while Vs and amps are the same.

Would the 36W adapter be OK to use with that kit? I have been told the lights would still only draw a fraction of the max wattage the adapter can deliver so it should not be a problem, but not being an expert myself I would really like to be extra sure before going ahead.

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[bernardgreen]

Power: 7.5W/m

is 7.5 Watts per metre so a run of 4.8 metres will require 36 Watts of power from the supply unit

 

[RandomGrinch]

However the corded adapters I'm finding online only have a higher wattage - 36W instead of 7.5W - while Vs and amps are the same.

Your strip takes 7.5W per metre.
At 5m long your strip could take 37.5W.
If you inend to use the full 5m length, I would use a power supply of over 36W, so that it is not working constantly at its limit.
Otherwise, a 36W PSU should be fine.

 

[john738]

Power: 7.5W/m

is 7.5 Watts per metre so a run of 4.8 metres will require 36 Watts of power from the supply unit

I totally missed that... well, as I said... not an expert! Sounds like it will be OK, thanks!

 

[john738]

Your strip takes 7.5W per metre.
At 5m long your strip could take 37.5W.
If you inend to use the full 5m length, I would use a power supply of over 36W, so that it is not working constantly at its limit.
Otherwise, a 36W PSU should be fine.

Great, that makes total sense, thanks! I'm likely not going to use more than 3-4 meters of LEDs max, so 36W should be fine! I'll make sure to plan the exact lenght of LEDs I'll use before ordering. Thanks again!