Question about LED lights
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Topic author - Posts: 13
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 1:14 pm
- First Name: Donald
- Last Name: Conklin
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1919 touring, 1923 depot hack, 1927 speedster
- Location: 4696 Edgewood Ter., Eden, NY, 14057
- MTFCI Number: 10087
Question about LED lights
Can 12 volt automotive LED lights be used on a 12 volt AC system. ( landscape lighting )
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- Posts: 593
- Joined: Fri Dec 13, 2019 1:04 am
- First Name: Luke
- Last Name: P
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926
- Location: New Zealand
Re: Question about LED lights
If they're standard tungsten filament bulbs then generally yes (with disclaimer below).
If they're LED's then possibly not, as many of these are DC only. Even if they have rectifiers built in 12VAC may be too much.
Bear in mind that 12VDC is simply that, 12V. However 12VAC could have a peak voltage of nearly 17V - AC voltage is usually stated as the RMS voltage, or 0.707 of the actual sine peak.
To get the peak from the RMS multiply by 1.414, and take the result into account if you're using voltage-sensitive equipment.
Tungsten automotive bulbs might expect to see 14VDC at times and given the necessarily alternating supply with zero crossing points etc I suspect you'd not have any real issues, although YMMV. However a LED with a rectifier and capacitor could apply close to the peak to the LED driver (or the LED's directly if wired in a particular way), which may cause them to fail prematurely.
Perhaps best to regulate the supply first, and provide DC. This would also allow a greater range of LED's to be used...
Apologies for the long answer!
If they're LED's then possibly not, as many of these are DC only. Even if they have rectifiers built in 12VAC may be too much.
Bear in mind that 12VDC is simply that, 12V. However 12VAC could have a peak voltage of nearly 17V - AC voltage is usually stated as the RMS voltage, or 0.707 of the actual sine peak.
To get the peak from the RMS multiply by 1.414, and take the result into account if you're using voltage-sensitive equipment.
Tungsten automotive bulbs might expect to see 14VDC at times and given the necessarily alternating supply with zero crossing points etc I suspect you'd not have any real issues, although YMMV. However a LED with a rectifier and capacitor could apply close to the peak to the LED driver (or the LED's directly if wired in a particular way), which may cause them to fail prematurely.
Perhaps best to regulate the supply first, and provide DC. This would also allow a greater range of LED's to be used...
Apologies for the long answer!
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- Posts: 545
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 12:27 pm
- First Name: BOB
- Last Name: CASCISA
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1916 TOURING
- Location: POULSBO, WA
- MTFCA Number: 16897
- MTFCI Number: 16628
Re: Question about LED lights
I have a wired Malibu light system
I have replaced all of my incandescent bulbs with LED lamps.
They are a bit brighter and use less power.
I have replaced all of my incandescent bulbs with LED lamps.
They are a bit brighter and use less power.
Respectfully Submitted,
Be_Zero_Be
I drive a Model T ... Microseconds don't matter
For every Absolute Model T Fact there are at least three exceptions.
Be_Zero_Be
I drive a Model T ... Microseconds don't matter
For every Absolute Model T Fact there are at least three exceptions.
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- Posts: 2345
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:25 am
- First Name: Dave
- Last Name: Hanlon
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 24 Touring car
- Location: NE Ohio
- MTFCA Number: 50191
- Board Member Since: 2018
Re: Question about LED lights
The ones I got for my T from ledlight.com are
6V-24V A/C or D/C if I recall....
They also have lots of other choices and are not that expensive.
6V-24V A/C or D/C if I recall....
They also have lots of other choices and are not that expensive.