Hi guys, I wanted to put some LEDs in my custom built wardrobe. I have a socket on the inside of the wardrobe (its built into the wall) so wanted to power them using this, with a switch on the inside that I can turn on/off. Is there any easy way for me to power these, or will it require some complex home made transformer kinda malarky. I can solder!
In the thread below (on OCUK) I discuss and show a few different ways of powering LEDs including using a wall mains adaptor. LEDs are low voltage DC devices and need the AC voltage converted from 240v AC to a more manageable low DC voltage.
There's also the Phobya flexlight system if you dont feel confident doing all the soldering. http://www.specialtech.co.uk/spshop/customer/All-MultiColour-RGB-Lights-cid-2260.html
Any, I probably need quite bright ones though (god, does that even make a difference to their voltage? I don't know!) Thanks for this dude! I'm going to have a read through!
I've done it using a lower powered adapter for a laptop etc. I've got some 5v and 12v output supplies that work fine for something like this. I just put the right resistor in as required and jobs a good one. Depends a little on if your using LED strip etc but I found it the best way with the least work involved so ran with it
You can just use a mains to USB power adapter, chop the plug off a cheap USB lead and wire the LEDs up to that. Most White LEDs are 5v so USB power adapters are perfect
Only USB LED strips will be 5v. A 12v LED strip needs at least 10v. A discrete LED would need 3.5v@20mA.
