Well I am thinking of changing my van lights to SMD LED's, I already have some Ikea 12v SMD LEDs which run off of a 12v transformer now obviously the transformer gives out exactly 12v where as when connected to the van electrics the voltage could be anywhere between 12.7v and 13.7v depending on the battery charge state.
Does any one know how voltage sensitive LEDs are
Thanks for that Octavia but they seem to be one of the most expensive sites I have seen having said that if their safety information is correct maybe not that expensive
I already have the SMD LEDS just no indication on them what sort of voltage variation they can take if any I seem to remember some one saying SMD 12v could take quite a variation but i might have dreamt that
Strictly speaking you should use a LED driver. It's a voltage stabiliser. Some LEDS are happy at circa 13-14v but many have reduced life span at those voltages.
They're cheap as chips so not the end of the world.
As I understand it, they don't like over 12V and as the previous poster states it will shorten their life, but at 99p on ebay, you can always buy a couple of spares. I did and all my original ones are still running after 2 years and 73 nights use since I changed them. One running all night as it is used as a night light for the children.
Ive had some LED strip run fine on 14V under testing, some has failed quite quickly.
Over voltage is a problem, under not really, it will give dimmer leds but not noticable unless its really low.
Measure the voltage at the fitting with a good multimeter, I found in my van only the very front fittings got more than 12.5V anyway with voltage drop. (less than 0.5V isnt going to be an issue)
For these fittings, I made a couple of voltage stabilisers (you can buy from ebay for a couple of quid) these make the voltage no more than 12V and protect the LEDs.
For the couple of quid it cost me to make them Id rather be certain.
more expensive lamps usually have some basic control in them, but Ive found cheap far east 12V LEDs/strip to be just as reliable.
Thanks for all your helpful advice, didn't realise you could get the voltage stabilisers that cheaply so maybe that's the way to go will let you all know how I get on
Quote: Originally posted by romany on 21/2/2014
Well I have fitted them and tried them for a short while and they seem fine, obviously only time will tell on the durability side of things.
I have used these very ones in small spaces at home such as under a cabin type bed, and work well. Take it you have converted the plug then to work off 12V (as they come with 240V plug as standard)?
Quote: Originally posted by sunshinetours on 21/2/2014
Quote: Originally posted by romany on 21/2/2014Well I have fitted them and tried them for a short while and they seem fine, obviously only time will tell on the durability side of things.
Incidentaly these were the strip lights I converted HERE http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/90192071/
I have used these very ones in small spaces at home such as under a cabin type bed, and work well. Take it you have converted the plug then to work off 12V (as they come with 240V plug as standard)?
Yes not much to do conversion wise as they have a transformer knocking the 240 down to 12v.
Just cut the wire light output side of transformer and reconnect to caravan 12v system, the concern is how they will cope with the slight voltage variation running off a battery.
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Topic: L.E.D. Voltage Question
