Power Supplies

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Intro

When your working with pixels or any type of led, they will be ran on DC voltage. To do that you will need to run some sort of power supply. There are many types you can use.

Disclaimers

The standard disclaimers pertaining to the information contained on this wiki page are listed here.
THIS WIKI PAGE IS NOT COMPLETE YET AND HAS NOT BEEN CHECKED FOR ERRORS.

Power Supply Voltages

With 5v the voltage drop will be noticeable if your trying to push the voltage for a long run. Most likely you will need to inject the power again or feed from the center of the pixel string. For every 50 pixels, you should re-inject the power. So a good example, if you have a 100ct pixels string you can connect the signal wires end to end, but you will either have to put the power at the center of the string to feed each side. Or you will have to put a power source on either end. A 50ct pixel string will pull around 3amp (50x.06=3amp). So really finding smaller power supplies is a good thing to have if you have your pixels spread around the yard. If you have like a pixel megatree then you can do a large power supply to feed the whole tree. So bigger is not always better esp if your not power alot of pixels close by.

12 volt is a bit different. You can push 12v further than 5v. So that does have its advantages and disadvantages. Most pixels strings are only 5v. There are some that are starting to 12v but it may be a bit before more start to come out. So 12v is alot nicer but not as many options.


Waterproof Power Supplies

Waterproof power supplies are really nice in the sense that you do not have to really worry about moisture as much as a non waterproofed power supply. Before placing a "waterproof" power supply in a weather exposed area, check it's IP rating to determine what level of protection is required. You should still put it in some sort of shelter just to be safe. These are a little more pricey than a standard switch mode power supply but alot less headache. They come in a variety of sizes so you will have to choose what will work best for you.

It is common to use waterproof power supplies with waterproof connections.

Examples of Non Waterproof Power Supplies available from different vendors

Vendor Type Input Voltage Output Voltage Output Current Link Image Price Price per Amp Size (HxWxL) Note
5VDC
DIYLEDEXPRESS 60W Waterproof Switching Mode 90-130VAC 5VDC 12A link $20.75 $1.73 45mm x 67mm x 175mm Cable;VDE BVVB,200MM Long
Ray Wu 60W Waterproof Switching Mode 90-250 VAC 5VDC 12A link $12.63 $1.05 45mm x 67mm x 175mm IP68
12VDC
Holiday Coro 45W Waterproof Switching Mode 100-130 VAC 12VDC 3.75A link $12.39 $3.30 1"x1.2"x9.7" IP67
Ray Wu 60W Waterproof Switching Mode 85 - 264 VAC 12VDC 5A link $12.63 $2.53 45mm x 67mm x 175mm IP68
24VDC
DIYLEDEXPRESS 100W Waterproof Switching Mode 110 VAC 24VDC 4A link $28.75 $7.19 45mm x 67mm x 210mm IP68

Non Waterproof Power Supplies

Since they are not rated as waterproof, you must use these supply in some form of enclosure if you want to use these outside to power your DC LEDs. There are many types of Enclosures that you can mount your power supply inside of including the [CG-1500] provide a large enclosure that you can mount both a power supply and a controller inside of. Most of the supplies have a small adjustment potentiometer that you can use to adjust the voltage output slightly.

Power Supply Connections

The power supplies generally have screw terminals to connect power wires to.

Typical Power Supply Terminals
Label
Connection
L - Line Connects to the Hot side of 115VAC power cord(Black wire)
N - Neutral Connects to the Neutral side of 115VAC power cord (White wire)
Gnd - Ground Connects to the Ground wire of 115VAC power cord (Green wire)
V+ Positive voltage output to Controllers
V- Negative voltage output to Controllers

Examples of Non Waterproof Power Supplies available from different vendors

Vendor Type Input Voltage Output Voltage Output Current Link Image Price Price per Amp Size (HxWxL) Note
5VDC
DIYLEDEXPRESS 300W Switching Mode 100V~120 VAC 5VDC 60A link $27.75 $0.46 49mm x 114mm x 226mm Fan Cooled
Holiday Coro 350W Switching Mode 100-130 VAC 5VDC 60A link $32.95 $0.55 2"x4.5"x8.5" Fan Cooled
Ray Wu 350W Switching Mode 85 - 264 VAC 5VDC 60A link $20.00 $0.33 50mmx115mmx215mm Fan Cooled
12VDC
DIYLEDEXPRESS 360W Switching Mode 100V~120 VAC 12VDC 30A link $27.75 $0.93 50mm x 112mm x 214mm Fan Cooled
Holiday Coro 350W Switching Mode 100-130 VAC 12VDC 29A link $29.95 $1.03 2"x4.5"x8.5" Fan Cooled
Ray Wu 350W Switching Mode 85 - 264 VAC 12VDC 29A link $20.00 $0.69 50mm x 115mm x 215mm Fan Cooled
24VDC
DIYLEDEXPRESS 200W Switching Mode 100V~120 VAC 24VDC 8A link $28.00 $3.50 50mm x 112mm x 214mm Fan Cooled

Converting ATX Power Supply

One common low cost way to generate +5VDC and +12VDC is to convert an old used PC power supply that you have salvaged from an unused PC. There are numerous plans available on the internet showing you how to convert them.For more information see:

Wall Warts

Wall warts are not the greatest to try to run pixels off of. First off most are too small to supply enough amperage. Also they do not supply very clean power to the pixels. Your best bet is to stay way from these.

Fuses

Due to the very high current that many power supplies are capable of putting out (>60A) it is a good idea to use a heavy guage wire fuse holder between the power supply and the controller hookup. The large gauge wire will minimize any voltage drop that may occur in the wire due to high current. It is common to use 12-14ga wire to connect power supplies with pixel controllers. Mouser.com carries several inline fuseholder that take automotive style fuses such as part number 441-R347A-GR that has 12 ga wire and can use up to 30A ATC style fuse, or part number 441-R347B-GR that has 14ga wire and can use up to a 20A ATC style fuse.