LED strip contoller power lead?

[Owen Stubbs]

I'd like to add an LED light strip under my awning like so many others have done. I want to order one of the kits without the power supply as I intend to run it from the camper's 12 volts.

Has anyone ordered the version without the power supply? Does it come with a pigtail that you splice into the 12v wiring, or do you need to scavenge a connector from an old power supply?

 

[Seann45]

Amazon has one for about 17.00 You supply the power it does the rest.. I have 3 on my RV right now

 

[Owen Stubbs]

Thanks Seann. What did you use to supply power to the controller? Is it a specialized connector?

 

[OurJayco]

I have two LED strips. One is on my TT using 120 volt (for now) and my other LED strip is in the bed of my Truck to provide light inside at night. That one I am running on 12 volts. All I did was cut the cord to eliminate the transformer and put ground and power on the cord. The output of the transformer is 12 volts anyway, so I simply removed the transformer. It has been working flawlessly for about 3 months now. I also put a NO/NC magnetic reed switch on my tail gate so the lights will turn on when the gate opens and turn off when the gate is closed.

 

[Owen Stubbs]

I want to order one WITHOUT the power adapter.... which means I have no cord to cut. So how will I connect to the controller, if I don't have the power adapter cord to cut?

 

[filthy-Beast]

Depends on the connector on the lights you order and if they are single color or multi-color.


Plenty of options here Amazon.com: led power connector: Tools & Home Improvement

 

[OurJayco]

The transformer converts from 120 to 12 volts. The cord from the transformer to the controller carries 12 volts. Cut the cord after the transformer and put 12 volts on one line and ground on the other line. I can not remember what color was positive, but a meter reading for resistance will tell you which one is for center pin positive.

 

[Owen Stubbs]

Depends on the connector on the lights you order and if they are single color or multi-color.


Plenty of options here Amazon.com: led power connector: Tools & Home Improvement

Thanks - I'll check that out.

 

[Owen Stubbs]

The transformer converts from 120 to 12 volts. The cord from the transformer to the controller carries 12 volts. Cut the cord after the transformer and put 12 volts on one line and ground on the other line. I can not remember what color was positive, but a meter reading for resistance will tell you which one is for center pin positive.

As I have said, the one I want to order does not include the transformer.. no cord to cut.

 

[tslarson]

As I have said, the one I want to order does not include the transformer.. no cord to cut.

My thought is that the end of the strip of LED lights may have some sort of connector on it. You may have to cut off the connector and then attach your 12V wiring to the wires, or find a connector that will plug into the lights plug. Remember LED lights must wired correctly in regards to polarity. If the lights don't work after you wire them up, reverse the wires.

 

[Seann45]

Thanks Seann. What did you use to supply power to the controller? Is it a specialized connector?

The wire for power in is supplied..
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K0W30UU...lid=2KT9VPRAKMXLV&coliid=I3KE0R8EWRX0Z1&psc=1

 

[fmichaels]

If you are using single color LED strips, they usually come with leads and not a connector. If you have a connector, you can simply cut it off if you don't want to use it. If it is a multi-color strip, then you will need to use their controller which might require 120 VAC. I used the 12 volt TT source for my single color strips along with an infrared switch to control on/off and brightness. The switches are on Amazon. There are many threads on this forum with the links.
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If you cut the strip to length and want to use the remaining strip, you will need to remove the coating to get to the connections. Amazon sells connectors that clamp on to the strip and make contact with the connections. Again, there are threads on this forum with all that "stuff". Good luck.