Running LED lights from old PC PSU

[Shedendman]

I'd like to replace the lighting i have in the shed/workshop with LED strip lights,which are old down lighters thrown up there some 6yrs ago,put it this way they're rubbish and i cant count the amount of times i've knocked them by poking something through them etc which destroys them,went down the tube light stage once,well had the 1st breakage in a day wasn't happy

So after doing some googling i came across this

then thought about fixing some LED strip lights on the exposed ceiling joists or where ever i need them,something like these
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Samsung-5...hash=item43daa1a78c:m:mRG9aa0txKiW_h8Qp9KKqew

Now the main question is this
Can i run the PSU (to which i have 4 kicking around 2@250w and 2@300w) from the old 6amp lighting supply (240v AC),ie from the CU or shall i tap in the 13amp main ring instead?

I'll work out how and where the PSU will be placed plus i'm hoping i can use the same switches and circuit as before,this will be for the new lights only so 12vDC.

Your guidance and knowledge will be most grateful

Cheers chaps

 

[brightspark]

one psu will run a lot of strips . more than u will require

 

[Shedendman]

top banana,thanks guys

 

[Shedendman]

Oh just one more thing,do i run a supply straight from the 6amp MCB (CU) to a rated switch or can i run from the junction box (lighting) to a switch that powers on the PSU?
The latter will save a lot of hassle

 

[ChrisJ]

what a good idea, cheap to run too...

 

[Shedendman]

what a good idea, cheap to run too...

That was my thinking

 

[brightspark]

Oh just one more thing,do i run a supply straight from the 6amp MCB (CU) to a rated switch or can i run from the junction box (lighting) to a switch that powers on the PSU?
The latter will save a lot of hassle

just connect it in to lighting joint box and a switch sometimes they knock a 6 amp breaker out though and u might have to up it to a 10 amp

 

[ChrisJ]

hmm, I had some of these left over from the kitchen, trying it now and following the instructions, only they light for a second and it trips out the psu, they are 12v so using the yellow and black, not sure what I have done wrong?

 

[tflnemesis]

How are you getting it to power up? Think you have to short 2 pins on the 20 pin plug for psu to power up.

 

[ChrisJ]

How are you getting it to power up? Think you have to short 2 pins on the 20 pin plug for psu to power up.

if you connect the psu as per video the psu powers up no problem, since posting i have found an old mains adapter which I squirreled away some time ago works a treat, will post pictures once installed in shed/workshop

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

Link the green and the black together.
That will "Fool" the PSU into thinking it is attached to the mother board.

 

[Shedendman]

hmm, I had some of these left over from the kitchen, trying it now and following the instructions, only they light for a second and it trips out the psu, they are 12v so using the yellow and black, not sure what I have done wrong?

Funny you should say that,mine did the same,now heres a daft thing

The PSU

the light i was testing with


When i connected the yellow up it also tripped the PSU so i tried the others now whats going on here then???????????????????????????

So tried the orange,and yes those readings are correct


Well light works,but dammed if i know wtf all the rest is about

 

[ChrisJ]

This is the adapter and lights, all working, plus the adapter will be neater to install in the shed.

 

[ChrisJ]

Well I found some spare time today to do the LED lights, this was a length left over from me fitting under cupboard lights in the kitchen, can't wait for tonight to see how bright they make my little cave

 

[devlin maguire]

Oh just one more thing,do i run a supply straight from the 6amp MCB (CU) to a rated switch or can i run from the junction box (lighting) to a switch that powers on the PSU?
The latter will save a lot of hassle

Yes, from the 6 amp breaker to a switch is fine, or use a fused spur chip out 13A it comes with and pop in a 5 Amp fuse (black) for added safety if your a bit parra

 

[Burdekin]

For interest my wife dragged me into IKEA on Sunday and all their light bulbs are now LED and reasonably priced as well. The technology and how good they are has improved heaps.

We also got to go visit Roslyn Chapel so the day wasn't a total write off.

 

[Wedg1e]

I used LED strips (the waterproof variety) as garden path lights; we've a dwarf wall with concrete copes so I ran the LEDs along under the copes using T&E cable clips to secure.
Works a treat, keeps the lights hidden and one benefit of floor-level rather than a high-level floodlight is you don't cast your own shadow over the very ground you're trying to see

 

[graffian]

Inrush current probably tripping the psu.