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Thread: Bucking 13.2v

  1. #1
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    Default Bucking 13.2v

    I just got a nice donation of big 13.2v power supplies, used for led floods. Do I need to bother bucking it to run resistive 12v pixels? I'm used to buck converters needing a minimum 2v drop, and I'm not used to bucking 50 amps' worth of current. Was hoping to just run 30 feet of wire and that that wouldn't wear-and-tear the pixels too quickly.

  2. #2
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    Default Re: Bucking 13.2v

    Is there a voltage adjustment screw in the psu

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  3. #3
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    Default Re: Bucking 13.2v

    Not on these.

  4. #4
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    Default Re: Bucking 13.2v

    I suspect you would not have an issue up to 14v. However, using regulated strips would remove all risk


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  5. #5
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    Default Re: Bucking 13.2v

    30 feet of 18 gauge wire should be good for about 1V drop. That should work pretty well.

  6. #6
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    Default Re: Bucking 13.2v

    Wouldn't a couple diodes drop the voltage by 1.2v I think silicon diodes have a .6v drop. just make sure they can handle the current. I am not an electrical engineer so please get a second opinion.

  7. #7
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    Default Re: Bucking 13.2v

    0.7V drop to be precise, but a good guess! You could also use a zener diode.

  8. #8
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    Default Re: Bucking 13.2v

    I was thinking of using these PSU's on my 12v single-line props and switching them with NMOS fets, only switching the vdd line instead of GND. Then I don't have to worry about bucking all 55amps at once, with one converter--I need only switch one prop at a time. That might actually be a pretty sweet arrangement.

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