My first arduino project - 10m of LEDs?

Projects General Guidance
1

Hello!

I am building a 3x12ft wood frame that needs to be lined with programmable LEDs.

I'm working with an Arduino Uno and the goal is for the lights to be running constantly, and a force pressure sensor will make the lights flash for a brief period of time before resuming to a steady light.

I am pretty set for the coding aspects, but I'm really not sure about the hardware set-up.

I understand the LED strip will need it's own power, not powered through the Arduino. But will one power supply be enough or do I need to power 5m with one power supply and the other 5m with another? Can I connect them both to the ardunio, each other and separate power supplies?

I am planning to purchase this LED strip -- https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0892YF143/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=AA0YO4F2UD50F&th=1

And this 5v power adapter -- https://www.amazon.com/ALITOVE-100V-240V-Converter-5-5x2-1mm-Security/dp/B078RXZM4C/ref=sr_1_4?crid=2WLRDHDEWG1TL&keywords=5V+DC+power+supply+for+LEDs&qid=1672688526&s=electronics&sprefix=5v+dc+power+supply+for+leds%2Celectronics%2C111&sr=1-4

Honestly, any insight would be immensely appreciated.

2

10 meters of LED at 150 px / 5m = 300 pixels (your perimeter and your two LED strips)
300 pixels at 60mA max / px (20red/20grn/20blu) = 18,000 mA
18A power supply for 300 px at MAX RGB (WHITE)

But... I have 300 neopixels on a smaller power supply because my code never sets all px to max. At most I have one color (20mA) at max... so 300 px * 20mA = 6000mA (6A... I am using 9A power supply).

For 5vdc, maybe "inject" power also at the half-way point. Many videos for "WS2812 inject power"
For 12vdc, 300 px will work, but might start to fade brightness and color (and timing) at the end.

Watt = volt * ampere.

3

Oh yes, if it's big enough.....

No. Add the amps needed and buy a supply capable of that current times 1.5 to 2 due to Chinese supplies often either provide 5 volt or the Amps, but not at the same time.

Your links goes to sales sites, not to technical data. Copying:

Voltage ‎5 Volts
Wattage ‎60 watts

That spells 12 Amp for that LED strip. Sum up the LED-strips....

That mini 5 volt converter can supply the controller but nothing more than that.
2 x 12 Amp x safety factor...... More than 30 Amp is needed.

4

As with all high amperage power supplies, uses fuses in your project.

Run separate power feeds to components.

5

Perhaps I'm mis-understanding, but the Amazon link has a note that says "You must use a 5V DC power supply to power these strips, do not use higher than 6V or you can destroy the entire strip.", so if I got a bigger power supply, would that not short out the strip?

Or, if I combine the two strips and use a power supply that covers 30 amps, does that even out the power across both, so the power doesn't burn it out?

6

5v is required to power the strips.

You could use a 1000 amp power supply as the strips just take what current they need (ohms law).

However, high amperage power supplies can cause fire if you accidentally short the output to 0V.

If one strip can draw as much as 6A, suggest you add a 7A fuse to protect against accidents.

Make sure you use appropriate sized wire conductors.

7

Yes You do. Writing "bigger" it's all about amperes. The 5 volt is nailed, nothing else can be used.

That's what my reply told. Use 5 volt supply.

8

Oooh okay, I'm catching on. Thank you!

9

Thank you for breaking it down for me :slight_smile: I'll look into adding a fuse to the connections.

10

I would suggest reading the Adafruit article.

They are overly cautious in a few places, but following their suggestions will greatly increase your chances of success.

11

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