I'm looking to convert my 3 C cell battery-powered Christmas tree LED lights to USB, since I have a USB outlet nearby. I'm tired of constantly changing or charging the batteries, especially during the busy holiday season. The lights are on an 8/24 timer, but I only get about 4-5 days of use before I need to change them, which feels like a hassle. The battery holder is plastic and has two leads coming off it. Is there anything special I need to consider besides just connecting the positive and negative leads using an old USB cable? Thanks for any help!
1 Answer
You should definitely add a 1N4001 diode in line with your connection. This will help drop the voltage to about 4.4 volts, which is a bit lower than what the batteries provide and should keep your lights safe from damage. Just make sure to connect the diode in the positive line of the USB to the LED lights.
Got it! So it goes on the positive side. Thanks for clarifying!