Battery for LED strip

[pietpetoors]

I bought a nice small 12V Sealed Lead Acid battery this weekend. I want to install it in the canopy so that I can run all my interior lights from it. The reason I want to use a separate battery is so that all the light wires are in the canopy, this when you remove the canopy you do not have to loosen any wires.

1. How do one charge these batteries, can I just plug it onto the Hilux's battery so that the big battery charges the small one?
2. Or must I put power on it from a 12v transformer?
I do not own a battery charger. I would prefer to be able to just connect it to the main battery for the time it has to charge and then remove it again
3. Another question, when you buy this battery in the shop, will it be fully charge or do I have to charge it first

I want to fully charge it, then connect a 1 meter LED strip to it and measure how long it works before the battery is flat.

The battery I bought is only 96 L x 42 W x 51 H. So it is very small and will easily fit nicely in the frame of my canopy.

[Bester]

Ek dink jou bakkie se alternator gaan daai battery uitbrand.

[Family_Dog]

Pieter, do not run the battery flat, 'cos then you will end up buying another! These solid-gel batteries do not take kindly to running flat.

You could charge it by running a lead from your alternator, but you will then be at the mercy of what the alternator pushes out. However, as long as you do not exceed 13.8v for short periods and 13.1v for a 'trickle charge', the battery will probably be fairly happy. Probably best to use a switch to isolate it completely from the normal car electrics when the vehicle is not running. Insert a small fuse, say about 1A in the lead adjacent to the battery, and another, say 2-5A closer to the source charge voltage.


-F_D

[pietpetoors]

Thanx Eric, as one do not constantly use the light in the canopy my idea is to not have it permanently connected to the main. I would use it until I see the power drops a bit and only then will I charge it.

For how long do you think must I charge it? or how do one know when it is fully charged?

[OOOOMS]

Hoeveel Amp's s daai battery? (kan nie mooi oppi pic sien nie) en hoeveel LED liggies is op daai 1m strip? En wat is elke LED se wattage?

[Zandyl]

Hoeveel Amp's s daai battery?

1.3A/H
waar is die bril

[OOOOMS]

Hoeveel Amp's s daai battery?

1.3A/H
waar is die bril

Jaco dis wat ek gedink het.....maar my bril is langs my bed.... :alvarin:

[pietpetoors]

Die battery is 1.3Ah
Die Specs van die strips se dit is
"Drive Current Per Piece: 0.4A /1meter "

[OOOOMS]

So dws 'n vol battery sal jou dan so 3 huur hou as ek dit reg het?

[Mud Dog]

The battery is not fully charged when you buy it .... only has a surface charge. You need to put it on a charger overnight. Get yourself a small battery charger Pieter ... not expensive. You should be able to get an Arlec charger, 4amp / 12v for about R130 or a 6amp / 12v for about R180 from Midas, and they last forever. The 4amp should be OK for that small lead acid battery as well, and it's nice to have on hand if you have a flat battery or just to give your car batteries a bit of a boost every now and then.

[pietpetoors]

mmmh, dankie Mark, so hy gaan net een aand se kamp maak

Maar dan ook bygesê die kappie se liggie brand nie die hele tyd nie, word net aangesit wanner ons iets uithaal.

Sal hom maar moet toets, gaan die enigste manier wees om met sekerheid te weet of dit lekker gaan werk of nie
As mens hom te gereeld moet laai kan mens net sowel die liggies dan op die hoof battery koppel.

[OOOOMS]

mmmh, dankie Mark, so hy gaan net een aand se kamp maak

Maar dan ook bygesê die kappie se liggie brand nie die hele tyd nie, word net aangesit wanner ons iets uithaal.

Sal hom maar moet toets, gaan die enigste manier wees om met sekerheid te weet of dit lekker gaan werk of nie
As mens hom te gereeld moet laai kan mens net sowel die liggies dan op die hoof battery koppel.

Korrek :!:

[pietpetoors]

Ek neem aan die tranformer (laaier) moet DC wees? Ek het hier 'n transformer wat hulle op 'n alarmstelsel gebruik, maar dit is AC vir een of ander rede. Die alarmstelsels het mos ook sulke batterye in, net grooter.

Ek is nou spyt ek het nie die ander battery gevat nie, daar was een wat bietjie smaller was, maar baie langer en sy rating was ek dink 2.6 Ah gewees. Hy was net so R30 duurder gewees. Ek skat sy grootte was so 200mm lank, 50 hoog en so 30 breed.

[Mud Dog]

Dis amper die groote van 'n 7.2 Ah battery ... dieselde wat mens in 'n remote gate motor bebruik. Daai koop ek plaaslik vir so om en by R150.

[Rian]

Piet gaan kyk na die link, hoop dit maak ook sin. :?

http://www.fourwheeler.biz/forum/viewto ... f=89&t=220" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[pietpetoors]

Sorry for the delay I was in CPT for two days.

I checked the battery again and it seems that it would be fine to run from the main battery. The battery's specs say
"cycle use 14.5 - 14.9v"
and
"standby use 13.6-13.8v@

Can the clever guys tell me what the difference is between the cycle use and standby use?

Just in case of power peaks from the alternator I bought myself a little self build kit regulator from Yebo electronics for R28.00
See pics below. I will set that to 12v to keep the voltage stable.

Battery Specs

Regulator

[Family_Dog]

Cycle use is when you use a standard battery charger, i.e. a non-regulated one, for short charging periods. You do not leave the battery permanently connected to the charger, or otherwise you will fry the battery.

Standby use is for when one permanently connects a charging source to the battery, note that the maximum voltage supplied by this unit allows only a small trickle charge to the battery. This allows the battery to maintain full potential without risk of cooking it. While it is fine for this purpose, it can never really fully charge a flat battery, as the voltage is too low.

The Benton range of battery chargers overcomes these problems, refer the articles elsewhere in the forum. They will charge at an initial high rate before tapering off to a lower rates of charge as the battery becomes fully charged.


-F_D

[pietpetoors]

I tested the battery last night. I did not charge it before the time, I just used it as I got it from the shop. It started off at 12.3 Volt. At 12.3 Volt the LED strip is so bright it blinds you when you look at it.

After 3 hours the voltage dropped to 7.8 Volt and even at 7.8 Volt the LEDs are still bright enough to give you more than enough light to see what is going on around you.

Above test was done with a 1 meter strip which has 60 LED on.

As the lights in my canopy are only switched on when I need something I am sure I am sure I will be using the battery for a couple of months before I would have to recharge it.

[ThysdJ]

I have 3 of these and one of the tubes "blew". I am thinking of somehow replacing it with the LED strips...



The lanterns are also 12V and they use a similar battery to the one you bought Pieter...

[pietpetoors]

I have that same idea uncle Thys, I thought of just putting in something like a toilet paper roll's inside on the inside then wind the LED strip around it. Perhaps a 40mm drain pipe will work better that a toilet paper roll inside but I think the toilet paper roll describes nicely what I have in mind.

[pietpetoors]

Niel het gistraand die oulike idee ge uiter dat mens die LED strip op 'n karmagneet kan vasmaak, dan kan jy wanneer jy kamp hom sommer aan die kant van die voertuig laat vassit sodat dit lig vir die omgewing gee en as jy weer ry dan laat klou jy hom erens binne die bak aan die metaal vas.

As mens begin rondspeel is daar hordes gebruike vir die LED strips.

Ek gaan nou my dakliggie conversion ook verander, ek gaan dood eenvoudig twee LED strips aan die buitekant van die dakligge plak en die drade koppel. Ek sien so dakliggie met LEDs kos R186 by Goeie Hoop onderdele. As ek twee 50mm strokies op die dakliggie plak kos my conversion my dan 'n volle R11.00.

[ThysdJ]

That cardboard tube should work well, as the LEDs dont generate any heat.

[ThysdJ]

iemand ander het ook hier ge-post oor die magneetstrip op die LED. Ek gaan dit ook doen. Smaak my jy sal my nog so 2 meter van die goed aan my moet verkoop..

[pietpetoors]

Het so pas email gekry, my volgende batch is ge-clear by customs, sal dan seker so binne 2 dae hier wees.

Ek het nou 10x 5m rolle van die gekry wat ons altyd kry en dan het ek ook 5x 5m rolle gevat wat 'n 5mm LED het, maar hy is dubbel die prys. Dis nou vir die ou wat BAIE meer lig soek.

Het vanoggend Mayzeys gebel, sien hulle verkoop dit ook, hulle vra R225/meter en dan is die nie eers die waterdigte een nie.

[ThysdJ]

Het jy toe reggekom by Maizeys met die magnete?

[pietpetoors]

Ja, het 1 meter gekoop, Vele Dank

About the LED Strips, somebody asked about how to solder the wires once you cut it.
So I wrote a little tutorial this morning, it was very early in the morning and I did not have much time, it was a real rushed job, so excuse the bad pics.

I posted it at
http://www.hilux4x4.co.za/LED-strip-ins ... /index.php for those who would like to know how to cut and solder the strips.

[JohanM]

Pieter dit is nou 'n baie oulike artikel dankie!!! Ek sal myne die naweek insit en toets voor ek afkom. Mag dalk net nog so 2 meter by jou moet koop vir alles.

[ThysdJ]

Just 1 very comportant thing, make sure you have the polarity right, otherwise the whole lot goes "whooosh" and stop working. LED's are fussy that way, they dont like being connected the wrong way around...

[george]

Just 1 very comportant thing, make sure you have the polarity right, otherwise the whole lot goes "whooosh" and stop working. LED's are fussy that way, they dont like being connected the wrong way around...

Hoeveel het jy geblaas

[cprinsloo]

Just 1 very comportant thing, make sure you have the polarity right, otherwise the whole lot goes "whooosh" and stop working. LED's are fussy that way, they dont like being connected the wrong way around...

Hoeveel het jy geblaas

Always thought the LED's just won't work if they are connected wrong way, because they are then blocking the current? I have blown a few if the resistance is too low, or voltage too high....

C

[ThysdJ]

Hoeveel het jy geblaas

Gelukkig niks, maar ek het een dag in Safari Center gestaan toe 'n BAIE kwaad omie ingekom het en klomp van die goed op die counter neergegooi het want "hulle werk nie".... Toe kom dit uit hy het nie mooi die instruksies gelees nie en die goed verkeerd om gekoppel. Sy skade, want SC het geweier om dit om te ruil.

Chris ek dink die 12V en sy amps is te hoog, en daai klein ingeboude resistortjies hou nie as jy hom verkeerd om koppel nie. Maar ek is nie 'n electronics boffin nie, so ek sal nie presies kan se hoekom die goed blaas nie...

[JohanM]

Maar ek is nie 'n electronics boffin nie....

En hoekom nie??

[ThysdJ]

En hoekom nie??

Not for a lack of trying Johan, I actually did get my T1 in electronic engineering, but that was in 1984...

[cprinsloo]

Hoeveel het jy geblaas

Gelukkig niks, maar ek het een dag in Safari Center gestaan toe 'n BAIE kwaad omie ingekom het en klomp van die goed op die counter neergegooi het want "hulle werk nie".... Toe kom dit uit hy het nie mooi die instruksies gelees nie en die goed verkeerd om gekoppel. Sy skade, want SC het geweier om dit om te ruil.

Chris ek dink die 12V en sy amps is te hoog, en daai klein ingeboude resistortjies hou nie as jy hom verkeerd om koppel nie. Maar ek is nie 'n electronics boffin nie, so ek sal nie presies kan se hoekom die goed blaas nie...

O OK, ken nie die LED strips nie. Ek het High Output LED's by Rabtron gekoop, en hulle in serie gewire met 'n eksterne weerstand, werk bakgat in my bakkie, lyk amper soos 'n krismisboom.... Ek het hulle polariteit verkeerd gehad, maar niks was geblaas nie, dis hoekom ek maar gewonner het.

Cheers,

C

[george]

Ek gaan nou my dakliggie conversion ook verander, ek gaan dood eenvoudig twee LED strips aan die buitekant van die dakligge plak en die drade koppel. Ek sien so dakliggie met LEDs kos R186 by Goeie Hoop onderdele. As ek twee 50mm strokies op die dakliggie plak kos my conversion my dan 'n volle R11.00.

Ek gaan ook so 2 meter vat by jou as jou nuwe stok inkom.
MAAR ek soek daai LED dakliggie.Kan jy vir my ook een maak

[pietpetoors]

'n LED blaas nie as hy verkeerd gekoppel is nie, maar ek dink daar is iets anders wat blaas. Daar is so swart dinngetjie op die strip, lyk nie soos 'n weerstand nie, dalk is dit hy wat blaas.

[Family_Dog]

Hoeveel het jy geblaas

Gelukkig niks, maar ek het een dag in Safari Center gestaan toe 'n BAIE kwaad omie ingekom het en klomp van die goed op die counter neergegooi het want "hulle werk nie".... Toe kom dit uit hy het nie mooi die instruksies gelees nie en die goed verkeerd om gekoppel. Sy skade, want SC het geweier om dit om te ruil.

Chris ek dink die 12V en sy amps is te hoog, en daai klein ingeboude resistortjies hou nie as jy hom verkeerd om koppel nie. Maar ek is nie 'n electronics boffin nie, so ek sal nie presies kan se hoekom die goed blaas nie...

Not from reverse voltage - they just don't work if the polarity is reversed. But couple them to a higher voltage (~24V), then they will blow. That guy was his own problem.


-F_D

[ChrisF]

EK is die "ou" wat gepost het oor die magneet strook ....

MAAR ek kan geen krediet vat vir die idee nie. Ek was saam met George en n groep Biedouwvallei toe. George is die man wat die LED strip op n magneet teen sy voertuig gesit het vir die aand.

[pietpetoors]

Ons kan 'n nuwe topic begin; "101 uses for LED Strips"

Ons het al:
1. Lig in Kappie
2. Lig binne voertuig
3. Lig in plaashuis wat met sonkrag werk (vra vir 3RZ)
4. Magneetlig vir buitelig
5. Lig binne in roof top tent, wat permanentdaar bly
6. Herstel outydse fluorecent kamplig (ek gaan myne more oggend convert)
7. Lig in enjinkap
8. Lig in tailgate van Stasiewa (Land Cruiser en Disco)
9. Blou lig onder jou Opel Super Boss sodat hy soos UFO lyk
10 Lig in winkels vir uitstalrakke en by skou uitstalling.
11. Rooi LED strip gebruik vir brieklig in canopy deur
12. Ligte vir trappe in die huis
13 Lig om vroulief se spieël sodat sy kan sien wat sy doen
14. Lig onder die kombuiskas sodat skoonma kan sien waar om kos te maak.
15. Piet is ons liggie in ons lewe....
16. ?

[pietpetoors]

My next batch of LED strip will be arriving Monday 25 Oct

I would like to get some feedback from those who already used the LED strips, I need this info to maybe add a wider variety to next batch.

1. The strip I currently supply has 60 LEDs per metre, do you think 30 LED per metre will work for some applications? I ask this because sometimes it feels to me that with half the number of LEDs it will still work for what we use it. The advantages are: cheaper than 60LED/m, and double the time on a battery, disadvantage is less light. Must I order 30LED/metre, will there be a need for it?

2. In the batch which arrives tomorrow I have some strips with larger LEDs. The ones I sold up to now have LEDs of about 3mm, the others are 5mm LEDs. I will test it and see how much more light it gives.

3. You also get non-waterproof models which do not have the silicon coating. They use that for indoor purposes like houses, etc.

4. More colours? are there any need for more colours? I can get bright white (what we currently sell), warm white, green, red and blue. I can also get one that varies in colour all the time (Called the RGB strip)

[OOOOMS]

4. More colours? are there any need for more colours? I can get bright white (what we currently sell), warm white, green, red and blue. I can also get one that varies in colour all the time (Called the RGB strip)

Personlik verkies ek 'n 'warm white', die is nie so genieg om goggas in die veld so kwaai aan te trek nie.
Huidig gebruik ons 'groen' maar net vir die oggas minder te hou

Dink 30 liggies per/m is meer as genoeg

[ThysdJ]

Ek is ook nogals in vir die "warm white". Afhangende van die prysverskil verkies ek die 60/m stips.

[george]

Pieta
Hoe vorder ons dak liggies

[pietpetoors]

George, ek krap eers gou rond en kyk of ek nie eerder met die volgende batch LED strips sommer ook so 50 van daai dakliggies kan inbring nie. Dit lyk dan dalk net beter as om die strokies te plak.

Wat ek wel nog gaan doe is om in die cubby hole een in te sit en dan ook aan die kant van die spieltjie sodat hy op die passasierskant skyn.

[FUDGES]

Ek dis nou off topic maar waar kry n mens van daai klein switches?

[pietpetoors]

Yebo electronics in die Kaap of Communica in Pretoria, eintlik enige elektronika winkel hou daai klein dun skakelaartjies aan.
'n Paar ouens het al gekla dat daardie klein skakelaartjies waarmee party plekke die strips verkoop brand en nie lank hou nie, dit is hoekom ek die gewone bedliggie skakelaar gebruik. Die bedliggie skakelaar het ek by Brights gekry wat baie dieselfde as julle Builders Warehouse is en hulle het R4.75 elk gekos.

Ek het nou dag selfs een van daai liggies wat in die aluminiumhouer kom gesien wat se skakelaar gebrand het.

[FUDGES]

OK nee wat dan bly ek maar eerder by daai bedlig lampies switches.

[Rian]

A interesting question? What is the meaning or the scientific term of "LED" ? We all, well supose every body knows what the LED is!


As far as I know the term "LED" means Light Emitting Diode.

[pietpetoors]

As far as I know the term "LED" means Light Emitting Diode

You are 100% correct

[kfxnando]

I tested the battery last night. I did not charge it before the time, I just used it as I got it from the shop. It started off at 12.3 Volt. At 12.3 Volt the LED strip is so bright it blinds you when you look at it.

After 3 hours the voltage dropped to 7.8 Volt and even at 7.8 Volt the LEDs are still bright enough to give you more than enough light to see what is going on around you.

Above test was done with a 1 meter strip which has 60 LED on.

As the lights in my canopy are only switched on when I need something I am sure I am sure I will be using the battery for a couple of months before I would have to recharge it.

the 7.8volts is way too low, and even though the LEDs are still bright the battery will not last too long!! even for a deep cycle battery

had the specks long ago!! at 7.8V one is looking at 1.3volts per cell and think somewhere around 1.7 or 1.8 is already flat!!

did a search, and found this chart!!
http://www.solarnavigator.net/battery_charging.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

good luck!!

[FUDGES]

Dankie Pieter ekt gistraand my LED's getoests hulle is heel potent!!

[deonb]

Ek is seker nou uit koers maar waar kry ek LED om gloeilamp in dakliggie te vervang.
Dankie

[OOOOMS]

Jy kan dit ook by Pieter kry

http://www.hilux4x4.co.za/theshop/index ... ucts_id=52" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[ThysdJ]

I mounted about 50cm of Pieter's LED strips on magnetic sheets, to stick on any metal surface where light is needed. Now I can't wait for Scheppie Saus to test it out. I tested the other LED strips this past weekend and they work beautifully.

[george]

I mounted about 50cm of Pieter's LED strips on magnetic sheets, to stick on any metal surface where light is needed. Now I can't wait for Scheppie Saus to test it out. I tested the other LED strips this past weekend and they work beautifully.

Jis Thys.Ek soek ook van die magnetic strips vir my se liggies.
Kan ek dit by jou kry?

[ThysdJ]

Enige tyd George, ons kan 'n gepaste prys inderhandel... Kom maak die naweek een of ander tyd 'n draai daar by my dan gesels ons oor 'n biertjie of so...

[george]

Enige tyd George, ons kan 'n gepaste prys inderhandel... Kom maak die naweek een of ander tyd 'n draai daar by my dan gesels ons oor 'n biertjie of so...

ons moet so maak
Ek wil met jou chat oor stickers ook

[OOOOMS]

Uit eindelik my dakliggie vervang met die LED's

Before 163 Lumen (standaard liggie)
After 346 Lumen worth every R60 bucks

[ThysdJ]

Enige tyd George, ons kan 'n gepaste prys inderhandel... Kom maak die naweek een of ander tyd 'n draai daar by my dan gesels ons oor 'n biertjie of so...

ons moet so maak
Ek wil met jou chat oor stickers ook

Reg so, gee my Saterdag 'n luitjie..

[pietpetoors]

Uit eindelik my dakliggie vervang met die LED's

Before 163 Lumen (standaard liggie)
After 346 Lumen worth every R60 bucks

Jis Mark, that is a huge improvement