Whether undertaking a DIY LED fixture project, upgrading existing setups, or buying new LED lights, choosing the appropriate power source for your LEDs is crucial. You will either need a constant current LED driver, a constant voltage power supply, or a combination of the two to ensure optimal functioning of your LEDs. This guide will explore various factors to consider when selecting a power supply for LED lighting, helping you make informed decisions.

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FIRST…Ensure Proper Current Control for Your LEDs

The majority of LEDs require a current-limiting device, such as a driver or resistors, to prevent overdriving. A constant current driver or current limiting resistor regulates the current flowing to the LEDs, ensuring their safe operation and prolonged lifespan. LEDs' electrical properties change as they heat up; without current regulation, they will draw excessive current over time, causing fluctuations in brightness, increased internal heat, and eventually LED failure. If you're designing your own LED fixture or using component star LEDs, ensure your setup includes a constant current device. Many retail LED products or LED strip lights already feature built-in drivers or resistors for current regulation. If you're uncertain about needing a constant current source, this post can help clarify. Should your LED product already manage current well, proceed to find a constant voltage power supply.

Constant Voltage Power Supplies Explained

A constant voltage power supply is suitable for powering LED lights that have built-in resistors or constant current drivers. Such products typically require a constant DC voltage. If you're using a battery or have access to a suitable constant DC voltage, you're in luck. More often, however, you will need a power supply that converts available power to a safe DC voltage for your LEDs. For instance, LED flex strips contain onboard current limiting resistors. If you install these strips in a car, you won't need an additional power supply since car batteries provide 12VDC, appropriate for the lights. However, for home installations, you'll need an AC to DC converter to transform 120VAC household voltage to 12VDC.

Selecting the Ideal Power Supply

For converting your household AC voltage to a stable DC voltage, numerous factors come into play. Let's start by determining the required power from your source.

Calculating Wattage

The first step is to ascertain the wattage your lights will consume. If you plan to power multiple lights from one source, sum their wattages to get the total consumption. Your power supply should exceed this total wattage by at least 20% to provide a safety margin. To determine the adequate supply size, multiply your total wattage by 1.2. For example, if you have four LED strips each consuming 12 watts, your total system wattage is around 48 watts. Adding a 20% cushion means you need a power supply of at least 57.6 Watts; a 60-Watt supply would be perfect.

Compatibility of Voltage and Current

When designing an LED fixture or replacing a faulty power supply, it's crucial to ensure compatibility with your LEDs' voltage requirements. LED products with built-in regulators typically specify the required input voltage. For instance, our LED flex strips operate on a 12V power supply. Another common use-case involves high-power LEDs paired with constant current drivers needing a DC voltage input. For example, six Cree LEDs running on a Mean Well LDD-H driver each operate at 3.1 volts. In a series circuit, the total required voltage would be 18.6VDC. Generally, low voltage drivers like the Mean Well LDD-H perform better with a slightly higher input voltage—24VDC in this case. Ensure that your low voltage driver, such as the Mean Well LDD-H, is rated to handle the desired input voltage. It's also vital to confirm that your power supply can manage your local line voltage, which varies worldwide between low-line (90-120VAC) and high-line (200-240VAC) AC power.

Choosing Dimmable Power Supplies

If you need to adjust your LEDs' brightness, select a power supply with dimming capabilities. The power supply specs will indicate whether it supports dimming and what controls it utilizes. Here's a brief overview of the two main control types:

PWM Dimming: Pulse-width modulation dimming works with all power supplies, allowing even non-dimmable units to be controlled via wall-mounted or remote PWM dimmers, which adjust the 12VDC side of the circuit.

TRIAC Dimming: Suitable for standard dimmers, you need a power supply verified for TRIAC dimming. These supplies adjust brightness via a TRIAC dimmer on the AC side, affecting the DC output voltage. Brands like Lutron and Leviton offer popular TRIAC dimmers available in most hardware stores.

Considering Temperature and Weather Conditions

Environment and installation conditions impact power supply efficiency. Check the operating temperature range in the specs to ensure safe operation. Avoid confined spaces without ventilation, where heat buildup can damage the power supply. Also, consider the ingress-protection (IP) rating indicating resistance to solids and liquids. Higher numbers denote better protection, crucial for environments prone to dust or moisture.

Efficiency Matters

Power supply efficiency indicates the percentage of input power used to light the LEDs. Higher efficiency means more energy savings. Aim for an efficiency rate of 80% or above for LED applications. Brands like Mean Well and Phihong offer highly efficient power supplies, with ratings exceeding 90%.

Size Constraints

The size of your power supply matters based on where it will be installed. Ensure it fits inside your product or can be mounted nearby. Various sizes and shapes are available to meet your project needs.

Class II Versus Class 2 Ratings

Don't confuse Class 2 with Class II ratings. A Class 2 power supply adheres to National Electric Code (NEC) limited power levels and UL 1310 standards, capped at 60VDC and 100 Watts, making them safe from fire and electric shock hazards. However, Class 2 supplies cannot power as many LEDs due to these limits. Class II refers to double-insulated input and output wires, eliminating the need for a ground connection.

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Identifying the Best Power Supply for You

This guide aims to streamline your search for the best power supply for your LED lights. Don't rush; select one that fits your needs and adheres to safety requirements for long-lasting performance. If you're unsure where to start, consider Mean Well Power Supplies for their robust warranties and reliable LED drivers.

For technical assistance or further help, call us at (802) 728-6031 or email sales@ledsupply.com. Our technical support team is available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST.

Selecting a bulb with adequate brightness and a proper cutoff line is crucial for safe nighttime driving. Though numerous bulbs are available, you may not have tried a bulb with a built-in projector at the front. If you're looking to upgrade your reflector headlights to projectors, don't miss this opportunity.

We've released various mini lens bulbs, including the first-generation Y6, the three-color temperature Y7S, the compact Y9 mini, the dual-lens Y9 plus, and the latest Y12 series. Here, we'll discuss why we introduced mini projector bulbs, their advantages, and compare models like the COLIGHT Y6, Y7S, Y9 mini, Y9 plus, and Y12.

Motivation Behind Releasing Mini Projector Bulbs

Reflector headlights, which consist of a bulb inside a steel bowl, have been around since automotive headlights' inception. The bulb illuminates the bowl, which reflects light onto the road. However, modern demands have outpaced the performance of traditional halogen bulbs, prompting the development of brighter, more efficient LED bulbs. Despite improvements in brightness, color temperature, and longevity, achieving a clear low beam cutoff line remains challenging without upgrading to projector headlights, which can be costly.

Therefore, we created a bulb with a mini projector, enabling affordable upgrades from reflector to projector headlights. The COLIGHT mini projector bulb, with its perfect cutoff and bright white light, allows you to see far down the road, enhancing reaction times and reducing glare for oncoming drivers.

Benefits of Mini Projector Bulbs:

1. Ideal Low Beam Cutoff and Consistent Illumination

Featuring an innovative low beam shade cup and a micro-optical projector (lens), these bulbs produce a clear cutoff line. In typical H4 applications, only about 30% of lumens are directed forward. With this special optic, about 90% of lumens illuminate the road, boosting the beam pattern and extending the lighting range up to 150 meters. This advantage sets these bulbs apart from other H4 LED headlight options.

2. Switchable Between LHD and RHD Modes

The Y6, Y7S, and Y9 plus bulbs are usable in both right-hand-drive (RHD) and left-hand-drive (LHD) countries. Initially set to LHD mode, they can be modified in about three minutes by flipping a marked iron piece on the low beam shade cup, making them RHD-compatible for use in the UK or Japan.

3. Improved Cooling and Longevity

Constructed with aluminum bodies, these bulbs feature efficient heat dissipation, maintaining operating temperatures between -40°C to +80°C. This design minimizes light attenuation and prolongs lifespan to over 55,000 hours.

Installation Instructions

Be mindful that Y6, Y7S, and Y9 plus models are only H4 plugs and may require larger dust covers due to their heat sink size. The Y9 mini and Y12 series come in five plug types, matching halogen bulb sizes. Installation involves unscrewing the base, inserting the bulb correctly, securing the buckle, and reattaching the base. The process takes about 10 minutes and is doable without professional help.

• Y6, Y7S, and Y9 Plus fit H4 reflector headlight housings without projectors, requiring socket diameters larger than 1.5 inches.
• Y9 mini and Y12 can be installed in H11, H7, H4, 9005, and 9006 reflector headlights. For more details, visit LED Projector Light Supplier.
• During installation, make sure the hood is on top for correct light output.

Product Comparison:

• For fan-cooled mini projector bulbs, choose Y6, Y9 mini, Y9 Plus, or Y12.
• For fanless cooling, select the Y7S.
• If your reflector headlight uses an H4 bulb, any mini projector bulb will fit; for 9005, 9006, H7, or H11, choose Y9 mini or Y12.
• The Y7S offers multiple color options.
• For the brightest bulbs, go for Y7S or Y9 Plus.
• In LHD countries, all mini projector bulbs are suitable; for RHD countries, choose Y6, Y7S, or Y9 Plus.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask us!