Battery Pack Sugestions for LED project

Thread Starter

foxfan19

Joined Jun 26, 2013
2
I've been working on an RGB LED project here for a couple weeks and am now trying to change the battery pack in order to illuminate the LED strip to its full potential. Beforehand I was using 3 9V batteries in parallel and only illuminating 1 LED color at a time. Now I am trying to use an RGB LED controller (http://www.amazon.com/LEDwholesalers-Remote-Controller-LED-Strip/dp/B004IJFAMW) and want to make sure that I am supplying it with the 12V source that it needs. The controller can maintain a max current draw of 6A, but during the initial testing the LEDs only spiked to a max 1.5A.

Currently the controller is hooked up to a power source, but i would like to run the circuit using only battery power. I want the LEDs to be capable of lasting between 1-2 hours. The circuit will be exposed to water, so i am epoxying the entire controller and making sure the connections are sealed, but i am worried about finding a way to waterproof the battery.


Currently I am looking at a 3 cell LiPo battery with 1500mAh, but i am worried about using a set up like this due to the large current discharge capabilities. https://www.sparkfun.com/products/10470

Questions:
1.Does anyone have another suggestion for a type of battery pack that would fit my requirements? I can enclose the battery in a waterproof project enclosure if that changes your suggestions.
2. Would I have to worry about the LiPo battery discharging too much current and frying the LED controller given the nature of the batteries? or would the battery only supply as much current as the controller would draw (1.5A)?
 

wayneh

Joined Sep 9, 2010
17,496
Questions:
1.Does anyone have another suggestion for a type of battery pack that would fit my requirements? I can enclose the battery in a waterproof project enclosure if that changes your suggestions.
I think that's a better way to go.
2. Would I have to worry about the LiPo battery discharging too much current and frying the LED controller given the nature of the batteries? or would the battery only supply as much current as the controller would draw (1.5A)?
The latter. Just as you current power source is "infinite" and all is well. Power supply capacity only matters when it isn't enough.
 

bountyhunter

Joined Sep 7, 2009
2,512
I've been working on an RGB LED project here for a couple weeks and am now trying to change the battery pack in order to illuminate the LED strip to its full potential. Beforehand I was using 3 9V batteries in parallel and only illuminating 1 LED color at a time. Now I am trying to use an RGB LED controller (http://www.amazon.com/LEDwholesalers-Remote-Controller-LED-Strip/dp/B004IJFAMW) and want to make sure that I am supplying it with the 12V source that it needs. The controller can maintain a max current draw of 6A, but during the initial testing the LEDs only spiked to a max 1.5A.

Currently the controller is hooked up to a power source, but i would like to run the circuit using only battery power. I want the LEDs to be capable of lasting between 1-2 hours. The circuit will be exposed to water, so i am epoxying the entire controller and making sure the connections are sealed, but i am worried about finding a way to waterproof the battery.


Currently I am looking at a 3 cell LiPo battery with 1500mAh, but i am worried about using a set up like this due to the large current discharge capabilities. https://www.sparkfun.com/products/10470

Questions:
1.Does anyone have another suggestion for a type of battery pack that would fit my requirements? I can enclose the battery in a waterproof project enclosure if that changes your suggestions.
2. Would I have to worry about the LiPo battery discharging too much current and frying the LED controller given the nature of the batteries? or would the battery only supply as much current as the controller would draw (1.5A)?
I wouldn't use the Li-Poly chermistry just because of their tendency to catch fire. I would use Li-Ion or Li-Fe-PO4.

You gave no info on physical size orload requirements/run time so we can't recommend a battery.
 

bountyhunter

Joined Sep 7, 2009
2,512
The risk is low if proper precautions are taken. Charge it properly, don't short it.
I don't consider the risk "low". You would think the aerospace geniuses at Boeing would know how to design and yet their Dreamliners are still smoking their Li batteries. My recommendation stands: use Li-Fe-PO4. I have seen people drive nails through them and they don't burn. They have a slightly higher weight than Li-Poly, but much safer. They are also very tolerant of overcharge and in fact are already being marketed for motorcycle battery use.

http://www.batterystuff.com/all-products-by-brand/shorai/?gclid=CNL-3fP8zLMCFSTZQgod0moA8w
 
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