Led neons, Correct wire types

[Jolt321]

I'm making some of those led style neon lights for home that seem to be in every bar nowadays.

I have some 5 metre lengths of the silicone LEDs.

I'm going to solder some wires on to the ends of a 12v female jack connector which will fit into my 12v power pack.


I think the Amps are around 2a

24w = 12v X 2a if my working out is correct.

What wire size and strand type would people suggest i use to do this. I will also be soldering some joins in this set up along the LEDs.
Ideally i want to use thinner wire as it is easier to work with.

I have some that came supplied with the kit, it is quite thin and stranded but would prefer advise on this.

Thanks in advance

 

[Deryck Tintagel]

7/0.2 (0.22mm sq) equipment wire will take 2A continuous and is quite "thin". Alternatively, 16/0.2 (0.5mm sq) will carry 4A

 

[bernardgreen]

Glue two pegs to a piece of ply wood to make a jig

Before soldering scrape the copper pads to remove all the encapsulating material. Copper should be bight and shiny to ensure a good solder joint.

 

[ericmark]

A LED is a current dependent device, some where you need to limit the current, as a pre-assembled unit they normally use resistors, but there is no single method, so much depends on the units you have.

 

[Jolt321]

Nice, might do this. It can be a bit of a struggle with only 2 hands. I generally use soldering flux. I find the solder takes to the job so much better.

 

[Jolt321]

I'lle get a picture later and show what the LED strips look like. The lengths I'm cutting vary massively depending on what sign I'm doing. Not 100% sure what the maximum length of led strip is that I can have coming from 1 X 12v power pack

 

[bernardgreen]

The resistor controls the current through the three LED elements

Some of these strips are too bright for direct viewing when the supply is 12 volts. I have used 9 volts for some installations for this reason.

 

[JohnW2]

Glue two pegs to a piece of ply wood to make a jig

That plywood looks like chipboard to me

Kind Regards, John

 

[jj4091]

I thought it was cork

 

[bernardgreen]

Cork table mat, It was quicker to mock up a copy than to try and find the real jig ( no pegs were harmed or glued )

 

[Adam_151]

Personally I'd be tempted to put some of these https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07VNKZN1X in line as well and adjust downwards to what you find acceptable. A lot of the LED neon seems excessivly power hungry and bright, I repaired a christmas light that had rope light on it previously and I think I split it across 2 of those and I think I measured it at about 8 volts after tweaking it. Should last longer too

 

[JohnW2]

.... the LED neon ...

I have to ask - what on earth is an "LED neon"?

Kind Regards, John

 

[davelx]

I have to ask - what on earth is an "LED neon"?

Kind Regards, John

Clicky

 

[EFLImpudence]

One for Winston.

 

[JohnW2]

Clicky

I see

Kind Regards, John