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[on:]

Hi guys,

I am pretty new to electronics and have started to play around with Arduino stuff, and I was looking to do a ambilight/monitor backlight type project.

I bought one of these off ebay, but I am unsure as to how to power it? - http://www.ebay.com/itm/1m-60-LED-m-RGB-LED-Light-Strip-5V-WS2811-WS2801-Waterproof-Addressable-Color-/160907739909?ssPageName=ADME:L:OC:GB:3160

It appears to indicate that it requires 5v, but I am unsure as to what amp the power supply will need to be to power it? Can anyone help to push me in the right direction? I am only going to be running a single 1m strip.

Sorry if this has been asked before, but there appears to be a number of different set ups and wanted to ensure that my set up would safe to run.

Many thanks,
Jamie

[Reply #1 on:]

Each LED might use 60mA (20mA each for R, G, B).

If you have 60 LEDs that makes 3600mA, ie. 3.6 amps possible current.

Add a safety margin and you're looking at a 5A supply for 1m of LEDs.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=5v+5a+dc+switching+supply

[Reply #2 on:]

That's brill, thanks. I read similar amount of amps online but wanted to be sure.

Those metal power supplies do look a bit precarious especially at the mains connections end.

As I will be using this while my computer is on, would it be possible to use the 5v rail of a computer power supply, via a molex connector at all? Would that offer enough amps that would be required?

EDIT: It is a Corsair TX650M power supply by the way, which according to the specs offers:
"Output: +3.3V@30A, +5V@30A, +12V@54A, -12V@0.8A, +5VSB@3A"

Would this be okay? Also, would this be grounded to the power supply or through the Arduino?

Many thanks,
Jamie

[Reply #3 on:]

That's brill, thanks. I read similar amount of amps online but wanted to be sure.

Those metal power supplies do look a bit precarious especially at the mains connections end.

I use them a lot - helps to keep me alert...

As I will be using this while my computer is on, would it be possible to use the 5v rail of a computer power supply, via a molex connector at all? Would that offer enough amps that would be required?

Should be fine.

Would this be okay? Also, would this be grounded to the power supply or through the Arduino?

All grounds should be connected together (in this case PSU, LEDs, Arduino).