Powering an LED strip from a car battery?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around powering LED strips from a car battery, specifically focusing on the feasibility of using a 12V battery for multiple runs of RGBW LED strips in an outdoor project on a motorized raft. Participants explore the necessary components, power consumption calculations, and battery management considerations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about the possibility of powering three separate runs of LED strips from a 12V car battery and asks for advice on wiring diagrams and the need for a power amplifier.
  • Another participant suggests looking for LED strips specifically designed for 12V, noting that they contain internal circuits and resistors.
  • A participant emphasizes the importance of comparing the total power consumption of the LEDs and controller to the energy capacity of the battery to determine runtime.
  • Further elaboration on battery management includes a suggestion to avoid fully discharging lead-acid batteries for longevity, recommending a maximum discharge of around 50% as a rough guideline.
  • One participant shares personal experience with using a solar-charged lead-acid battery for 12V LED strips, noting improved battery lifespan by avoiding deep discharges.
  • A suggestion is made to keep the battery on a float charger when not in use to maintain its charge.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express various viewpoints on battery management and power consumption calculations, but there is no consensus on specific wiring diagrams or the necessity of a power amplifier. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the optimal setup for the LED strips.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention the need for careful consideration of power consumption and battery capacity, but specific assumptions about the LED strip's power requirements and the battery's specifications are not fully detailed.

Reinis
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Hi everyone!

I am a new one to the world of the LED lights. However, I have an oncoming project with LED strips. There will be 3 separate runs of a LED strip (4 meters, 4 meters and 6 meters each). In each run LED strip will be put in 1 meter long LED strip profile. I am planning to connect the runs in parallel. The strip will be RGBW with RGBW controller (all the stuff I am planning to use is provided at the end). So, the question is: Is it possible to power all the setup with car 12V battery and what else do I need for that as the project will be on a motorized raft outdoors? What is the possible wiring diagram for the best result? Do I need any led strip power amplifier?

LED strip:

https://goo.gl/vp8LX9

LED strip controller:

https://goo.gl/ipRKv4
 
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You can buy stripes designed for 12V.. They have internal circuits and resistors. Just Google 12 volt led strip.
 
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And you will want to compare the total power consumption of your LEDs and controller to the energy stored in the battery, to see how long you can run the lights on a single battery charge. Look at the Amp * Hour energy capacity of the 12V battery, and compare that to the Power (in Watts) * Time (in seconds) of the LED system to solve for how many seconds the system will run.

The energy stored in the battery is 12V * Amp * Hour * (3600 seconds/Hour)
 
berkeman said:
The energy stored in the battery is 12V * Amp * Hour * (3600 seconds/Hour)
You might wish to plan for somewhat more capacity than you expect to use on a single discharge. Lead-acid batteries have a longer life if they aren't routinely fully discharged on each cycle. A battery designed for 'deep cycle' operation will cope better but I have found it helpful to plan where possible not to discharge past maybe 50%. That is a very informal guess though - don't take that number as a precise guideline!

I run a couple of 12V white strips for lighting in my home workshop from a (mostly) solar-charged lead-acid battery and since I stopped regularly running the battery flat, I haven't had to replace it, for some years now.
 
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Likes   Reactions: CWatters and berkeman
And keep the battery on a float charger when not in use.
 

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