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Are you LED converters using drivers or regulators on your 12V LEDs?

July 27, 2012, 06:10:49 pm

Just got my hands on a cute little roll of 12V LED strip lights.  They are built for 12V with embedded resistors for current limiting and I'm wondering if I should use them as is or rig up a IC driver to protect them from over voltage.  So, my question is, what's your experience been with them?  Are you experiencing any failure from the differing nominal 12V levels such as when the charger is on, while driving and alternator voltage is applied to house batteries?  They're cheap enough but I'd like to not have to mess with them on a continuing basis.  Thanks, Chuck

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Re: Are you LED converters using drivers or regulators on your 12V LEDs?

Reply #1 – July 27, 2012, 06:25:47 pm

Chuck... no problems here but I'm not using any of the LED strips to replace fluorescent lights (yet); just plug-in-replacements for incandescent lamps so far. Using LEDs bought from O'Reilly (flat plug-in) for the clearance lights. It's only been about 3 months but all is fine so far.

Craig

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Reply #2 – July 27, 2012, 07:25:33 pm

Wired them to existing wiring about six months ago and all still working fine.

Pierce

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Reply #3 – July 27, 2012, 07:50:59 pm

Not sure if there is a larger location on this site yet for the subject of efficiency/in this case that of interior lights, but for now will add, that I bought LED bulbs to replace incandescent ones in my older class C from a major RV distributor last year and all showed signs of partial failure in a month or so. Yes, they still work, but flickering or dead leds and lower output noticed.

I would like to go thru my 2001 FT with an eye to energy efficiency and do it right "the first time!" if possible.  Any and all recommendations are welcome, including ones that go beyond that to  solar panels etc..  On my boat, I always thought if I did not waste energy, then there would be no need to replace it............and that will be my mantra for this coach as well.
Yes, I love air conditioning and all the pleasures of life, but also would like to be able to enjoy life to the fullest without a hook up, generator or other concerns if I wish to.
Thanks in advance.

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Re: Are you LED converters using drivers or regulators on your 12V LEDs?

Reply #4 – July 27, 2012, 08:38:17 pm

I have had no problems so far with either the LED rolls that Peirce got for me and I have made into lights to replace the flourescents in ceiling. I also did the halogens with LED(from FOT) and they are even on a digital variable switch I had installed for the old ones, they too are so far fine. I must admit I use mostly solar but have tried them on power here at home. Maybe after this winter I will know more but so far so good.
John H

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Reply #5 – July 27, 2012, 11:09:26 pm

I've added strips of LEDs (from rolls) with the series resistors, and have them in most of our under-cabinet fluorescents, with no problems so far (8 months). 

BTW - I put the LED strips in with a switch to select either the original fluorescents or the LEDs (slightly less light from 3 strips), and on a couple of fixtures, I added another switch to select 1 or three LED strips, for low level mood lighting. 

We have all AGM batteries and our charger is set for AGMs, so the absorption charge voltage tops out at ~14.3V, which is below the max voltage for the LED strips (14.8, I think), but with flooded batteries, the absorption charge voltage may be significantly higher, (depending on charger settings,) and could pose a problem. 

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Reply #6 – July 27, 2012, 11:56:14 pm

3 yrs of stick on strip leds and no problems whatsoever. And I leave them all the time as night lights.

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Reply #7 – July 28, 2012, 09:21:27 am

The experienced have spoken.  I'm going to forego adding any electronics, just wire them in.  Thanks for the help everyone. 

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