Kitchen LED Strip Lighting

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Hi,

I was to run around 13m of 12v LED 5050 strip lighting in my kitchen. I have researched the best way of doing this etc and just wanted to double check everything sounds ok.

I have purchased 13m of 5050 12V LED strip lighting which I'm told runs at about 14.4w per meter. So a total of about 188watts.

I have purchased this PSU as i was advised to add around 10-20% extra power than needed...and this was the next step up from 200W = http://www.rapidonline.com/electric...enclosed-power-supply-unit-pdf-320-12-90-2519

I have been told to not run more than 5m of led strip from one connection as i will incur voltage drop and the LEDs may appear dimmer towards the end.

I will be needing 3 lengths, x2 = 5m, x1 = 3m. I have purchased 2 core LED cable to connect from the PSU to the LED strips.

The PSU will obviously not come with a plug, will 1mm 3 core cable with a 5A plug be sufficient?

OR an alternative is, in my kitchen at the moment we have a switch on the wall which is a fused switch, that currently powers some cheap 3m LED lights. Could we simply wire the PSU from the fused switch....instead of using a plug?

If anyone could clarify any of this that would be great. Suggestions welcome obviously :)

Thanks in advance.
 
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A 200 watt power supply would have been more than adequate. They are designed to run up to full load not 80% of it. Yes you can run it off the existing switch.
 
screenshot_439.jpg
Power supplies like that need to be in an enclosure, which means you would need to think about cooling.

You cannot just have that lying around somewhere.

Whilst it might be fine electrically, mechanically it is not suitable for your application.
 
Thanks for your responses.

What would be a solution then? Do I need to buy something to cool the unit. If so what and where from?

thanks again :)
 
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What would be a solution then?
Buying a power supply designed to be used as is, not one with a case full of holes and exposed terminals which is meant to be built into an item of equipment.

screenshot_441.jpg



Do I need to buy something to cool the unit. If so what and where from?
Once you have decided what type and size of box you are going to put it in you would need to seek guidance from the maker or seller.
 
Hi,
Thanks for that.
I spoke to the seller and they said that as the unit is only powering about 50% its capacity it would be fine if it was in a well ventilated area and not enclosed in a small area... :confused:

When looking on YouTube at peoples LED strip set-up using a similar PSU I can't see any modifications to cool or house the unit.....so I'm a bit stuck on what to do...

thanks again :)
 
Hi,
Thanks for that.
I spoke to the seller and they said that as the unit is only powering about 50% its capacity it would be fine if it was in a well ventilated area and not enclosed in a small area... :confused:

When looking on YouTube at peoples LED strip set-up using a similar PSU I can't see any modifications to cool or house the unit.....so I'm a bit stuck on what to do...

thanks again :)

Get a PSU designed for the job. Presume you have the three ends where you could connect three PSU's if you wanted, you don't need to drive it all from one PSU.

http://www.ledhut.co.uk/led-strip-lights/36-watt-led-transformer-driver.html maybe
 
You can get a sealed power supply, much like the units you use with a laptop. A 12v 200W will be fairly expensive if you get a quality one rather than an ebay/china special, though, but it will save a lot of headaches. I would question the need for 188W of under cabinet lighting, I think we have about 6W and its plenty.

This sort of thing http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/desktop-power-supply/7772904/
 
The strips will be used on top of cabinets, under cabinets and around the plinths, so it isn't all used for under cabinets. Although I am connecting switch to each one if I wanted to turn any of the areas off.

LED Light Source : 5050 SMD LED
LED Power : 14.4W/Meter, 0.24W each LED
LED Quantity : 60pcs LEDs/Meter
Working Voltage: DC 12V

Or,could I buy 2 of these? http://www.ledhut.co.uk/drivers-fit...g-large-sections-of-12-volt-led-lighting.html

Would they both be ok to be connected to the same 5amp fused switch mentioned earlier?

Are we saying that if i did use the PSU originally mentioned it would probably blow up? :oops:
Specs:
- Short circuit / Over load / Over voltage / Over temp protection
- Auto-recovery after protection
- Design with Built-in EMI Filter

Thanks
 
I spoke to the seller and they said that as the unit is only powering about 50% its capacity it would be fine if it was in a well ventilated area and not enclosed in a small area... :confused:
But you can't have it not enclosed, it would be dangerous.


When looking on YouTube at peoples LED strip set-up using a similar PSU I can't see any modifications to cool or house the unit
I would question whether those people should be doing things with electricity.


so I'm a bit stuck on what to do
(Buy) a power supply designed to be used as is, not one with a case full of holes and exposed terminals which is meant to be built into an item of equipment.


I am connecting switch to each one if I wanted to turn any of the areas off.
You only have one PSU, so clearly you must be planning to have these switches on the ELV side.

1) Are they rated for DC at the currents you'll need?

2) Depending on where you have them are you aware of the restrictions applicable to mixing ELV and LV cables in the same enclosure or containment system?


Yes.


Would they both be ok to be connected to the same 5amp fused switch mentioned earlier?
Will they take more than 5A in total?


Are we saying that if i did use the PSU originally mentioned it would probably blow up?
No.

Quite honestly if you cannot see any dangers, potentially lethal ones, which might arise from having a PSU like the one you bought used outside of an enclosure then you probably shouldn't be doing electrical work.
 
The strips will be used on top of cabinets, under cabinets and around the plinths, so it isn't all used for under cabinets. Although I am connecting switch to each one if I wanted to turn any of the areas off.

LED Light Source : 5050 SMD LED
LED Power : 14.4W/Meter, 0.24W each LED
LED Quantity : 60pcs LEDs/Meter
Working Voltage: DC 12V

Or,could I buy 2 of these? http://www.ledhut.co.uk/drivers-fit...g-large-sections-of-12-volt-led-lighting.html

Would they both be ok to be connected to the same 5amp fused switch mentioned earlier?

Are we saying that if i did use the PSU originally mentioned it would probably blow up? :oops:
Specs:
- Short circuit / Over load / Over voltage / Over temp protection
- Auto-recovery after protection
- Design with Built-in EMI Filter

Thanks

Do you mean you are putting switches in the cable between PSU and led strip?

Why not have three PSU's - one for plinths, one for under cabinet and one for above, and switch the mains voltage to the PSU's via normal light switches?
 
:confused: I might just stick with a torch at this rate.. :LOL:

Do you mean you are putting switches in the cable between PSU and led strip? Why not have three PSU's - one for plinths, one for under cabinet and one for above, and switch the mains voltage to the PSU's via normal light switches?

I'm not 100% sure yet on the switches.
I could have 3 PSU's I suppose... or simply buy 1 PSU with fan cooling and which is enclosed.


Will they take more than 5A in total?

Not sure, how do I work this out?
winston1 mentioned it would be fine to wire the original PSU to the 5amp switch.



No, i agree i want to do it the correct way so I will buy the correct PSU which is enclosed etc.

thanks
 
:confused: I might just stick with a torch at this rate.. :LOL:

Do you mean you are putting switches in the cable between PSU and led strip? Why not have three PSU's - one for plinths, one for under cabinet and one for above, and switch the mains voltage to the PSU's via normal light switches?

I'm not 100% sure yet on the switches.
I could have 3 PSU's I suppose... or simply buy 1 PSU with fan cooling and which is enclosed.


Will they take more than 5A in total?

Not sure, how do I work this out?
winston1 mentioned it would be fine to wire the original PSU to the 5amp switch.



No, i agree i want to do it the correct way so I will buy the correct PSU which is enclosed etc.

thanks

Personally I would go for the three PSU's and switch in the mains.

Alternatively...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/170-250V-...23ad40&pid=100338&rk=6&rkt=29&sd=361176237937

Even has three ouput cables and doesn't need to go in an enclosure. Unfortunately, it's currently in Shenzhen, just north of Hong Kong....
 
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Links in this post may contain affiliate links for which DIYnot may be compensated.
If i buy this 200w version: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/30W-60W-1...t=LH_DefaultDomain_3&var=&hash=item339301717b

What size fuse do i need to use in the plug?

total watts will be 180w.

I have found this online but not sure if this is correct as the unit says "16.6A / 200W":

These fuses are available in 3amp, 5amp and 13amp ratings.
Use a 3amp fuse in plugs attached to appliances up to 700 Watts
Use a 5amp fuse in plugs attached to appliances from 700 to 1200 Watts
Use a 13amp fuse in plugs attached to appliances from 1200 to 3000 Watts


thanks
 
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