RGB 12V LED Strip Light getting hot
- Thread starter KennyT6
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- led strip lighting
no not got a link
what does 5/12 volt string mean ?
Couple of things to consider.
Generally in these strips it's the same 5050 LED modules, but in the 5v strip they are all in parallel, in the 12v strip they will be in sets of 3 in series and then parallel between all the sets. This is because each module needs around 3.2v - the rest is dropped across the current limit resistors and lost as heat. On 5v about 1/3 of the power is lost in that heat, for 12v about 1/5.
So if you replace 5v with 12v I wouldn't expect much change in brightness but the big change is you will only be able to cut the strip every 3 LEDs on 12v not every LED as on 5v. That might be important if you've trimmed the strip to a specific length that doesn't divide by 3.
Generally in these strips it's the same 5050 LED modules, but in the 5v strip they are all in parallel, in the 12v strip they will be in sets of 3 in series and then parallel between all the sets. This is because each module needs around 3.2v - the rest is dropped across the current limit resistors and lost as heat. On 5v about 1/3 of the power is lost in that heat, for 12v about 1/5.
So if you replace 5v with 12v I wouldn't expect much change in brightness but the big change is you will only be able to cut the strip every 3 LEDs on 12v not every LED as on 5v. That might be important if you've trimmed the strip to a specific length that doesn't divide by 3.
I should add whichever way you solve it they will be less bright than right now.
A rough calculation you've been pushing about 5 times the ideal current through them, I'm mildly impressed you don't have any burnt out. Imagine trying to run a 55w headlight at 250w and it surviving...
A rough calculation you've been pushing about 5 times the ideal current through them, I'm mildly impressed you don't have any burnt out. Imagine trying to run a 55w headlight at 250w and it surviving...
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