Need Guidance on My DIY DeWalt Battery-Powered Lamp
Asked by DiyNinja42
Hey everyone! I'm working on a DIY project to create a battery-powered lamp using a DeWalt drill battery, and I've hit a few bumps along the way. I'm trying to make an LED strip lamp that can run for 20-30 hours using just 10cm of LED strip. My goal is to connect any DeWalt battery that ranges from 12V to 24V to a 12VDC LED strip. I've successfully run it with a 12V battery, but anything higher than that seems to overload the LED. I've tried using a DC-DC buck converter, but unfortunately, I ended up burning one out despite the specs matching the voltage and current. I've mapped out a new setup that I think might work: DeWalt battery (12V-24V) -> 5A fuse for protection -> [DC-DC buck converter](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EQT63SS?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title) -> [12VDC on/off switch](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07S1MV462?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1) -> [12VDC LED strip](https://www.aspectled.com/n-series-narrow-flexible-led-strip-light-ultra-bright-36-leds-foot-1#led_light_color=12). I was thinking about positioning the switch closer to the end of the circuit to prevent any damage. Am I on the right track, or is there something I'm missing? Thanks for any advice!
Answers
If you're serious about getting the most battery life, look for an LED strip without resistors and consider using a constant current driver instead. Resistors waste energy by generating heat. From what you've described, it sounds like your amp draw is pretty low, so a 2Ah battery could definitely last around 20 hours. I'd suggest repositioning the switch before the DC-DC converter to avoid any issues, but overall, your setup seems solid. Good luck!
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LampLover101: Thanks for the tip! Just one concern: if the switch is rated for 12V, would using an 18V battery damage it?