Hi,
Im trying to hook up some 5050 smd LED strip lights under my kitchen cupboards and just had a few questions regarding LED drivers/transformers.
the LED Strip is 5M in length and will be cut.
60 leds/Metre
input voltage : 12v
Working Current/metre: 1.2-1.25A
Output power: 72W /5 Metre
Luminous Flux: 700-800Lumens/Metre
I plan to cut the LED Strip into a 1.8 metre length for under the kitchen cupboards. Then I want to cut and join 2 more strips for under bookshelves in the front room 1.5m each (3metre in total). Ive done quite a bit of research already - but just wanted clarification on the below:
1)Do the numbers written on the transformers just show the max they can handle without fault?
so when buying a 12v transformer/driver do I just have to make sure the total max Watts is ample to drive the length of cut LED Strip?
eg. 3m requires output requirement of 43.2 watts - so I would need a 12v 50 watt transformer....
2)could I safely use a 12v 60 watt transformer on the 1.8m length (only 25.92 watts required)? Does it just draw the current it requires and as long as its less than the max capable - there will be no problem.
3)I tried a 12v 30watt laptop transformer on the full 5metres for 20 secs or so to make sure the lights worked. they came on but, what would happen if I left this running for 12 hrs or so? (just curious!)
4)Could I use old/2nd hand laptop transformers if the watts/amps are suitable for the requirements above, or do the bought "LED drivers" have special features that laptop tranformers dont have?
thanks for any help
Im trying to hook up some 5050 smd LED strip lights under my kitchen cupboards and just had a few questions regarding LED drivers/transformers.
the LED Strip is 5M in length and will be cut.
60 leds/Metre
input voltage : 12v
Working Current/metre: 1.2-1.25A
Output power: 72W /5 Metre
Luminous Flux: 700-800Lumens/Metre
I plan to cut the LED Strip into a 1.8 metre length for under the kitchen cupboards. Then I want to cut and join 2 more strips for under bookshelves in the front room 1.5m each (3metre in total). Ive done quite a bit of research already - but just wanted clarification on the below:
1)Do the numbers written on the transformers just show the max they can handle without fault?
so when buying a 12v transformer/driver do I just have to make sure the total max Watts is ample to drive the length of cut LED Strip?
eg. 3m requires output requirement of 43.2 watts - so I would need a 12v 50 watt transformer....
2)could I safely use a 12v 60 watt transformer on the 1.8m length (only 25.92 watts required)? Does it just draw the current it requires and as long as its less than the max capable - there will be no problem.
3)I tried a 12v 30watt laptop transformer on the full 5metres for 20 secs or so to make sure the lights worked. they came on but, what would happen if I left this running for 12 hrs or so? (just curious!)
4)Could I use old/2nd hand laptop transformers if the watts/amps are suitable for the requirements above, or do the bought "LED drivers" have special features that laptop tranformers dont have?
thanks for any help