electrical question... not really car related

heyitsstock · Post by **heyitsstock** » Sun Jul 19, 2009 3:14 pm

Basically I am using my old 7 color led under car kit for a decoration.
I either want to:
A. Convert the pos/neg bare wires to a plug for home outlet use

B. Or use a battery pack

How can I go about making the wires compatiable for an outlet..

I have been trying to search it out online, but I have found little information.

One would think that you could just take the wires and wire them into a plug... But for some reason this does not seem safe.. Then again my electrical knowledge is not a strong point.

Thanks in advance

ZeroChad · Post by **ZeroChad** » Sun Jul 19, 2009 3:28 pm

First, I would check out the rated operating voltage for the strips. Its most likely 12V. Next, you'll want to see what amount of DC current is required for the strips. With that information, head to radioshack, and pick up the necessary power supply like this:

You'll need to splice wires and add a fuse for extra protection, but its pretty simple.

heyitsstock · Post by **heyitsstock** » Sun Jul 19, 2009 3:47 pm

hahaha... is it really that simple?

Thats what my original plan was, but it just seemed "too easy".

Thanks

ZeroChad · Post by **ZeroChad** » Sun Jul 19, 2009 6:01 pm

Yup! pretty simple. Just make sure the power supply is rated correctly.

superdan · Post by **superdan** » Sun Jul 19, 2009 7:32 pm

thats usually how electrical things go, which is why most people are turned away from wiring things up. Sometimes electrical wiring is pretty easy but then again they can be very complicated to someone who isnt experienced or knowledgable.

but yeah zerochad is right...basically like in the picture he posted one of those two wires that are connected is the power or "hot" wire and the other is obviously the ground. Which i believe is the one without the strip on it. Could be wrong though.

As for a fuse it really depends on how often these lights will be on. But th lowest amp fuse i would use would probably be 10 or 15. I use a 40A fuse inbetween my subs and battery. So anywhere from a 10A to a 40A should work fine.

excon · Post by **excon** » Sun Jul 19, 2009 8:58 pm

you could also get one of those 12V batteries and just wire it up whenever you wanted to. That would probably be easier. You could use electrical tape to keep the wires in place?

I know it's pretty ghetto, but you said you were considering portable battery packs...

nineball · Post by **nineball** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 5:11 pm

superdan wrote: I use a 40A fuse inbetween my subs and battery.

what kind of sub amp only uses a 40a fuse? that seems really low to me.

Chris04sxt · Post by **Chris04sxt** » Sun Jul 26, 2009 9:48 am

I've had lower watt amps, like in the 2-400 range that used 40A inline fuses. All depends on the amp i guess, I've always understood that your inline should match the fuses on the amp, is that correct?

ZeroChad · Post by **ZeroChad** » Sun Jul 26, 2009 10:56 am

A 10 or 15 amp fuse would be way too high for those led strips. You'll either have to look at the specs or measure the current draw yourself.