Hey guys I'm looking to install LED strips lights underneath the tread of our outdoor garden stairs. I have 5 rows of stairs and each row is 1.5wide. I will need to install 5x 1.5m led strip's under each tread. My question is what's the best way to connect these strips to a power supply, in series? Or run dedicated wires to each strip and connect multiple led strip's to one power supply? Is that even possible? 12v or 24v and I'd like to have a PIR as well. Thanks in advance for any solid advice to this complete novice!
Connecting LED strips lights under outdoor stairs
led
Related Solutions
Key difference:
Halogen lights generally run from AC so this is what your transformer outputs.
LED's require DC so generally yes, you will need a rectified output from your transformer.
I am guessing the transformer is providing enough forward voltage on initial switch-on, but not thereafter.
You may be able to add a rectifier circuit at each bulb location to cope with this.
I'm not familiar what that product specifically, but the "amplifier" in this type of lighting setup generally only reads the input from the previous upstream light strip and provides power from its power source. Therefore, the amplifier draws no current from the upstream lights.
Instead of 2 power supplies, you could use one power supply larger enough to satisfy all of your power needs.
To answer your questions specifically:
- Yes.
- No. Power supplies are rated for the current that they CAN deliver. Using a power supply larger than needed is fine.
- Again, not knowing these devices specifically, I am going to guess no based on my experience with other, similar products.
- Generally no, provided you do not draw more power than the supply is rated for.
Related Topic
- Connecting LED strips, Which plugs
- Running a series of LED lights I have questions on 12 v power
- How to connect several led strips to build a single light panel
- Electrical – What kind of wire do I need for 3 LED strips
- Electrical – LED strips: Red lights can’t be controlled
- Electrical – How to connect a long string of LED strips to power at both ends when including a controller
- Outdoor LED lights runnng dim/flickering
Best Answer
In parallel. if you connect them in series, the last one in the string will be a lot dimmer than the first. It's up to you whether to use fat cables running from string to string, or separate thinner wires to each.
Get an appropriate LED supply for the number of strings you're using.
You can buy standalone PIR units. Connect your power supply to one of those.