Transformer requirement for LED lights

[scoobs]

yeah I can't dim my leds, so that timer would be useless for my setup.

[Aquacrazed]

There is no data panel in the LED bar (stock light I got with the tank kit, Fluval Evo 13.5) or the strips. For the LED bar the only info is in the transformer (above picture - 13.5v, 1500ma). For the strips, the box simply says 3 watts but also says I can connect 3 of them to a 12v power supply using a splitter.

The 2 LED strips are compatible with the dual ramp timer. The LED bar is not on the list. They only list Current USA products on the list.

What power supply would you recommend?

[sobe]

The fluval evo 13.5 kit came with a 16w stock light. So your two 3W might not be the stock light.

The current usa ramp timer has list of compatible led bars. Depending on your unit it might not dim. As it's dependent on the driver used in the LED unit.

Do you have pictures of your led bars, including their connecors? We can possibly identify which manufacturer it is from.

[Aquacrazed]

The 3 watt lights (actinics) are Current USA lights, I have 2 of them that I will be connecting through a splitter.

[calo247]

you will need a 13.5v power supply if that is what came with the bar. your other leds state they can run off a 12v supply so i would get a 12v supply, it will be well above the cut-off voltage for the bar and should run it fine. just get a big enough supply to power all of it, just add up the wattage of all the leds you need to run and double it (power supplies run most efficiently around 50-60% load)

be very careful with dimming leds. it is critical you have a driver that can handle dimming, most cheap ones can not

[Aquacrazed]

Originally Posted by calo247

you will need a 13.5v power supply if that is what came with the bar. your other leds state they can run off a 12v supply so i would get a 12v supply, it will be well above the cut-off voltage for the bar and should run it fine. just get a big enough supply to power all of it, just add up the wattage of all the leds you need to run and double it (power supplies run most efficiently around 50-60% load)

be very careful with dimming leds. it is critical you have a driver that can handle dimming, most cheap ones can not

Thanks for the info calo247. So the total wattage I need is 20.25 and 19.5v. If I get a 24v power supply, would this be ok?

About the driver, my Current USA dimmer supports the LED strips but I'm not sure about my Fluval LED bar. How would I know if it needs a driver? I've run it (just the Fluval LED bar since it came with it's power supply) through my dimmer a few days now and seems to be working fine so far.

[calo247]

wattages you add, you dont add the voltages together, a 24v supply will not work, you need a supply with the same voltage as your leds, and if they are different then you cant run them together off the same supply.

what is the voltage requirment of the strips? how did you get 19.5V?

from what i can gather (correct me if i am wrong) you are trying to run

- 1 led bar that came with a power supply rated at 13.5V
- 2 led strips that are rated at 12v