12V LED Strip Issues When Connected To a Power Source

[DavinG]

Last year I wired the 12V RGB led strip (from eBay) to the outside of my trailer. I spliced into the exterior patio light so I could turn the led light strip on/off from inside the trailer using the existing switch.

Last year the strip worked great and I was able to control it to display specific colors, fade, etc. This year I noticed that the lights work great when they are running off the trailers battery but as soon as I connect my trailer to power the light only illuminates green. Any idea why this may have started to occur??

Thanks!

[Trevor43]

Originally Posted by DavinG

Last year I wired the 12V RGB led strip (from eBay) to the outside of my trailer. I spliced into the exterior patio light so I could turn the led light strip on/off from inside the trailer using the existing switch.

Last year the strip worked great and I was able to control it to display specific colors, fade, etc. This year I noticed that the lights work great when they are running off the trailers battery but as soon as I connect my trailer to power the light only illuminates green. Any idea why this may have started to occur??

Thanks!

Maybe the controller is sensitive to voltage over 12-13 volts.......when you hook up shore power.....the converter is throwing 14.4 vdc at the battery to top it off. Another thought would be that there could be electrical noise in the charging that could be causing the controller to act this way. Can you change controllers and see what your results are? Are the connections good and clean?

[Mr Havercamp]

The LED remotes and controllers sold on ebay are cheaply made junk, which is why they only cost $3. The solution is to buy a few and replace as needed. I once tied one into the 12volt circuit that the range hood was tied into, for a strip I used as highlighting behind the slideout fascia. When we turned the exhaust fan on we got a light show.

[Bama Rambler]

A lot of those LED's and controllers are only rated for 12v. Anything above that can cause problems over time. Or it could be interference as Trevor said.

Have you added or changed anything electronic? Even new LED's could add some noise.

[DavinG]

Thanks for the tips. I haven't added/changed anything to the system. I do notice there is a slight humming noise when plugged into shore power and perhaps that is causing the issue. I guess my next step would be to order a few controllers to have on hand.

Do you recommend ordering the exact same controller or is there a recommended type?

[Evereddie]

Originally Posted by DavinG

Thanks for the tips. I haven't added/changed anything to the system. I do notice there is a slight humming noise when plugged into shore power and perhaps that is causing the issue. I guess my next step would be to order a few controllers to have on hand.

Do you recommend ordering the exact same controller or is there a recommended type?

Where is the humming noise coming from?

[DavinG]

Humming noise is coming from electrical panel. Not from the LEDs.

[Bama Rambler]

Your converter could be failing and that could definitely cause noise on the DC side.

I'd investigate that before I did much of anything else.

[MacGumbo]

I think I would check out the humming noise first.

Update: Bama beat me to it but since there are two of us saying the same thing I would heed it.

[bob caldwell]

Controllers all over E-Bay......I'm using a mini RF style....can make everything work from my chair......

[Evereddie]

Could be you let your battery drain low and the converter is working real hard to charge them up causing the hum and 60 cycle getting into the charging voltage. Test it after it has charged for a day or two. Also test with the shore power un-plugged. .

[bob caldwell]

The mini controllers are good for 5 to 24 volts...

[HONDAMAN174]

Originally Posted by bob caldwell

The mini controllers are good for 5 to 24 volts...

Many of the led strips are 9-24 volts also


2014 Evo 2850 "Woodstock"
2011 Toyota Tundra "Clifford"

[Kuba]

Humming noise-fan?

[DavinG]

Originally Posted by Evereddie

Could be you let your battery drain low and the converter is working real hard to charge them up causing the hum and 60 cycle getting into the charging voltage. Test it after it has charged for a day or two. Also test with the shore power un-plugged. .

Battery has been charged for days. Literally when I plug in the trailer, the led strip turns green and does not return/cannot be changed with remote unless I unplug the trailer from power and run power off the charged battery.

I've decided to order a few new IR remote controllers to see if the issue is with the controller.

[Evereddie]

It is either the higher voltage while plugged in doing this, or you have some device in the trailer that is putting out RF interference, or the charger(converter) is doing this. Good move at this point to try a new controller.