I have bought a rather classy and expensive engraved stainless steel bell push fitted with a Bulgin-style pushbutton that has an integral LED rated at 12v DC. I would want the LED to be lit at all times (except perhaps while pressing the pushbutton).
It has been difficult to get much information from the German supplier, but they have told me that most users in Germany use a 12v AC bell transformer and the small number of LED failures they have investigated are due to transformer outputs of 14v or higher.
My problem is that MK, the manufacturer of my 8v AC bell transformer, does not think it suitable for a 12v LED. Bulgin has offered similar advice. The open circuit output from my MK transformer is 16v. If I measure the voltage while my chimes are in operation then the voltage constantly swings up and down in the range 8-15v AC. However, it seems unlikely that a British 8v bell transformer is a riskier power source than a German 12v bell transformer.
I could buy a dedicated 12v DC LED power supply for about £20, but is this really necessary?
David
It has been difficult to get much information from the German supplier, but they have told me that most users in Germany use a 12v AC bell transformer and the small number of LED failures they have investigated are due to transformer outputs of 14v or higher.
My problem is that MK, the manufacturer of my 8v AC bell transformer, does not think it suitable for a 12v LED. Bulgin has offered similar advice. The open circuit output from my MK transformer is 16v. If I measure the voltage while my chimes are in operation then the voltage constantly swings up and down in the range 8-15v AC. However, it seems unlikely that a British 8v bell transformer is a riskier power source than a German 12v bell transformer.
I could buy a dedicated 12v DC LED power supply for about £20, but is this really necessary?
David