Led's

[nc12345]

Hi guys

This main seem like a silly question but I'm not that up to date with all the led's etc
A client has asked for 3 led spike lights at the bottom of his garden.
Are there restrictions as to what length of cable you could run from a driver ?
For instance could a driver sufficiently supply three led's 25/30 metres away ?

Cheers guys , thanks to any replays in advance

 

[Richard Burns]

With a low voltage the current is greater and this will mean more volt drop, so a long length of cable could well mean that the voltage is too low to operate the LEDs.
If possible try and keep the voltage at 230V as long as possible and fit the Tx as close as possible to the lights (or use really thick cable!).

 

[shanky887614]

Hi guys

This main seem like a silly question but I'm not that up to date with all the led's etc
A client has asked for 3 led spike lights at the bottom of his garden.
Are there restrictions as to what length of cable you could run from a driver ?
For instance could a driver sufficiently supply three led's 25/30 metres away ?

Cheers guys , thanks to any replays in advance

Put the driver in either an outdoor driver or put it in an ip rated adaptable box closer

Check the manufacturers instructions for max distance after driver

 

[LED Lighting]

As a guide keep the 12v cable to around 6". Anything over 2ft will cause the voltage to drop low enough the LED won't work


i have a range of waterproof drivers available or put one in an adaptable box


Take not drivers require constant cooling! So a waterproof driver is always better

 

[nc12345]

Cheers for the advice guys
I found a table on line which had cable sizes , lengths and wattages.
It states15w at the end of a run ,1.5mm will work up to 27m or 34m if dropped down to 12w
I was going to mount the driver in an IP box anyway to maximise the run
thanks again

 

[DPG]

As a guide keep the 12v cable to around 6". Anything over 2ft will cause the voltage to drop low enough the LED won't work


i have a range of waterproof drivers available or put one in an adaptable box



Take not drivers require constant cooling! So a waterproof driver is always better

6 inches max? You're joking right? Daz

 

[MDJ]

6 inches max? You're joking right? Daz

No he is serious' he also recommends 10 yearly periodic inspections on houses with wiring which is 30 years old lol

 

[telectrix]

maybe he meant 10" and 6 years.

 

[Welchyboy1]

12v halogens are more problematic but led wattage is so low you can get away with a lot further distances

I powered 14x 3w led at varying distances around a swimming pool to about 35m with 4mm SWA and was no problem at all

 

[shanky887614]

12v halogens are more problematic but led wattage is so low you can get away with a lot further distances

I powered 14x 3w led at varying distances around a swimming pool to about 35m with 4mm SWA and was no problem at all

35m isnt a very long distance to worry about volt drop.

For example in osg it recomends 50m for radial and 100m for ring

 

[DPG]

Yes but that's at 230V. It makes a big difference. Daz

 

[shanky887614]

Yes but that's at 230V. It makes a big difference. Daz

Didnt mention in last post that the led's were not 230v

If its in swa why not run it on mains voltage?

 

[DPG]

Yeah, but the whole thread has been about low voltage LEDs. Daz

 

[shanky887614]

Yeah, but the whole thread has been about low voltage LEDs. Daz

The transformers are usually local because manufacturer's usually state a short max distance

 

[DPG]

I was just trying to make the point (with reference to your quote about ring main/radial lengths) that volt drop calcs will be a hell of a lot different at 230v to 12v.

 

[shanky887614]

I was just trying to make the point (with reference to your quote about ring main/radial lengths) that volt drop calcs will be a hell of a lot different at 230v to 12v.

I see what your saying 5amp over 35m would give about 2v drop at 12v

 

[HandySparks]

If they're constant current drivers (and the LEDs are suitable), they'll compensate automatically for volt drop up to a point, dependent on the maximum output voltage of the driver.

 

[Welchyboy1]

Didnt mention in last post that the led's were not 230v

If its in swa why not run it on mains voltage?

hint:- around swimming pool

 

[shanky887614]

hint:- around swimming pool

If I was the op I would go for either main voltage led or seperate driver for each lamp.

If its only 3 it wont add much additional cost