Wiring a 4x4 LED bar to plug socket

[Geza Kerecsenyi]

Hi,

I am working on building a studio lighting setup, and as a backlight I wanted a very wide light bar. However, the cheapest actual one of these made for studio use were some $100 knockoff Kino Flo lights, but these were still quite small due to the 'cheap' price. However, (while this might sound strange) I found some relatively cheap LED bars made for trucks and 4x4's as work lights, but as these are made for plugging into engines, while obviously, I want to be able to plug it into a socket. I need this to be very safe, as we have lots of high voltage and expensive lamps that cannot short circuit or break! Here is the light bar I found: https://www.ebay.com/itm/36inch-234W-LED-WORK-LIGHT-BAR-FLOOD-SPOT-COMBO-OFFROAD-Car-Boat-Truck-SUV-4X4WD/322279671047?hash=item4b095d8507:g:G3wAAOSwbmtZiq07&vxp=mtr

My budget for this light is $60, the light is ~$52, so I would need probably the cheapest option out there; however, I would probably rather break the budget than have something that sets off a fire alarm or short-circuits some $300 lights. I am a total newbie when it comes to electronics/DIY, so I would need the basics explained, but would happily appreciate any help you can offer.

Thanks!

 

[Tony S]

This is an English site so maybe not the best place to ask about NFPA-NEC codes. I have a friend in the US that specialises in studio lighting, could ask him if he would be willing to help.

 

[Geza Kerecsenyi]

This is an English site so maybe not the best place to ask about NFPA-NEC codes. I have a friend in the US that specialises in studio lighting, could ask him if he would be willing to help.

Sorry, I realise I didn't make this clear. I live in England, and the studio is to be built in the UK, but I just wrote prices in dollars as that was how I found them on eBay. To clarify, I would need the £40 light bar to be wired to a UK plug, and I have a total £50 budget to do this (£40 of which is the light, so I have ~£10 to do all the wiring). I have no connection to the US or Germany (where the light bar is from), I simply wrote prices in dollars for my own ease of not having to convert.

 

[rapparee]

You will need a suitable power supply unit to convert the mains voltage into 12 or 24vdc.

Here is an example of one, but I'm sure you could pick up a cheaper Chinese alternative 

https://uk.rs-online.com/mobile/p/din-rail-panel-mount-power-supplies/7767729/

 

[kerching]

Hi, same Christian name as my daughters Father in Law !

anyway....cheapest option is finding a suitable power supply comparable with the unit ( try CPC ) and plugging it into that.

Best option is to find something suitable .......that one is designed for automotive use  /wannabe off-roaders . It may have possible insurance issues. 

Judge......how did you light your studio/cause the inferno

you.....oh we chucked a cheap light bar off a 4x4 in, £50 all in

justbsaying

 

[Geza Kerecsenyi]

You will need a suitable power supply unit to convert the mains voltage into 12 or 24vdc.

Here is an example of one, but I'm sure you could pick up a cheaper Chinese alternative 

https://uk.rs-online.com/mobile/p/din-rail-panel-mount-power-supplies/7767729/

https://www.ebay.com/itm/AC-110V-220V-TO-DC-5V-12V-24V-Switch-Power-Supply-Driver-Adapter-LED-Strip-Light/152134115704?hash=item236be66178:m:mnohYz4NZlT_Dq5l5lWNUMg

- with '24V 10A 250W' option for 'Type'. Will this be good? My only concern is the light bar is 234W, while this is 250W. Will the over-large wattage be a problem, or am I confusing something?

 

[Geza Kerecsenyi]

Would this be better?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/5A-10A-30A-12V-AC-DC-Volt-Converter-Regulated-Switch-Power-Supply-for-CCTV-LED/311046850293?hash=item486bd646f5:m:miO5IMBR4Mz9LlNweY1jiPA

with '24V 8.3A 200W' power supply option selected? Or am I embarrassing myself; does the wattage not matter?

 

[rapparee]

Would this be better?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/5A-10A-30A-12V-AC-DC-Volt-Converter-Regulated-Switch-Power-Supply-for-CCTV-LED/311046850293?hash=item486bd646f5:m:miO5IMBR4Mz9LlNweY1jiPA

with '24V 8.3A 200W' power supply option selected? Or am I embarrassing myself; does the wattage not matter?

Wattage does matter. The PSU should be a bit bigger than the actual load 

The 200w would overrun and fail quite soon.

Go for the 24vdc 360w version

For the sake of £9 over budget.....

 

[Geza Kerecsenyi]

What about the 250W?

 

[rapparee]

It will work, but it will be running close to maximum load. It is also quite cheap.

How long might it last?

A similar analogy would be two cars towing a trailer, one car with a 1.0l engine the other with a 2.0l, which one do you think will last longer.

 

[Geza Kerecsenyi]

Fine. If I can get the money from some mysterious forces, I would probably go for 360W. Otherwise, if it would still work, I will go for the cheaper 250W version. Thanks for all your help!

 

[rapparee]

$6......

eadHorse:

Good luck with whatever you do.