Feasibility of 24V computer power supply to run samsung led strips.

Hi, been studying up on LED strips. Curious if this idea has any merit. 2 foot Samsung f series strips run about 23 to 24 volts. If I modded a computer power supply to output 24V DC @ 5 amps, I would then get 5 strips. Hook 'em up in parallel. 1 amp 24v to each strip. I figure around 120 watts.

I just need lighting to run a middle of the night veg (gas lamp routine) and use sunlight during the daytime (and exclusively for flowering). And I'm not covering a lot of space. 1x2 or 1.5x2' when I really veg 'em out.

Looking for input. Particularly if you think I'm about to become a candidate for a Darwin award.

Should work fine, if not then look at meanwells apc drivers.

tincdink said:

Hi, been studying up on LED strips. Curious if this idea has any merit. 2 foot Samsung f series strips run about 23 to 24 volts. If I modded a computer power supply to output 24V DC @ 5 amps, I would then get 5 strips. Hook 'em up in parallel. 1 amp 24v to each strip. I figure around 120 watts.

I just need lighting to run a middle of the night veg (gas lamp routine) and use sunlight during the daytime (and exclusively for flowering). And I'm not covering a lot of space. 1x2 or 1.5x2' when I really veg 'em out.

Looking for input. Particularly if you think I'm about to become a candidate for a Darwin award.

Click to expand...

If the driver runs stable, it should work. Do you use a step-up module?
When the voltage drops under load, there are plenty of cheap 24v CV drivers available on e3ay.
120/150w/24v/5-6A maybe 10-12$US. If he only runs for a few hours, as you say, then a cheap driver should be enough.

Darwin award ... for upcycling fo sho, mate! Unfortunately not for efficiency.
PC power supplies are not very efficient at all and an extra voltage conversion from 12 to 24v would cost another 5-10%. 120w light could be 150-160w at the wall. But because it's only for a few hours a day it does not matter so much.

Do not forget to show us a few pics...
We love little colorful pictures with lots of green...

tincdink said:

Hi, been studying up on LED strips. Curious if this idea has any merit. 2 foot Samsung f series strips run about 23 to 24 volts. If I modded a computer power supply to output 24V DC @ 5 amps, I would then get 5 strips. Hook 'em up in parallel. 1 amp 24v to each strip. I figure around 120 watts.

I just need lighting to run a middle of the night veg (gas lamp routine) and use sunlight during the daytime (and exclusively for flowering). And I'm not covering a lot of space. 1x2 or 1.5x2' when I really veg 'em out.

Looking for input. Particularly if you think I'm about to become a candidate for a Darwin award.

Click to expand...

I would not recommend it, because you cannot adjust it. Better off just picking up a Meanwell LRS-150-24 for about 20 bucks.

tincdink said:

Hi, been studying up on LED strips. Curious if this idea has any merit.

Click to expand...

I'm guessing the mod is more work than it's worth, unless it's just something you want to do. You'd want to change the output caps to 25v or higher. Got a link to the mods? On a side note, old xbox supplies are nice, up to 16 amps at 12v, and it's easy to turn up the voltage. That reminds me, the last pc supply I played with had a voltage trim pot with a wide range.

Much appreciate all the answers. I haven't modded it yet. I do have an old one around used @ 12 volts, but that's for charging batteries. That mod has served for at least 3 years now. I guess a meanwell for 20 isn't all that bad. Thanks RIU.