LED UV box

[AnimalBones]

Hello all

First post here and I do hope that someone can help me. I am a potter and would like to make a UV box as described here

Search google for-

build-a-uv-led-box-for-cyanotypes

My reason is that I want to use alternative photographic processes on ceramic. Now the instructions are quite light on exactly what I need.

I plan to purchase this LED strip (2 x 5 m to wire left and right hand side of the box in two separate in parallel strips)

Specification:
Input volts: DC 12V
SMD Type: 3528/5050
Wattage: 0.08W/LED(3528 SMD), 0.2W/LED(5050 SMD)
Wavelength:395-405nm
Strip Length: 0.5M/1M/2M/3M/4M/5M
Long life span 50,000+ hours
Protection Rank: IP65 waterproof/IP20 Non-Waterproof
PCB Color: White
Is Dimmable: Yes(dimmer required)
Is Trimmable: Yes(cuttable every three LEDs)
Drive Mode:Contant Voltage
Beam Angle: 120°
Viewing Angle: adjustable by mounting position
Working Tempreture:-20°to 50°
Size: W1.0cm x T0.25c

And I have a black plastic box that is 60x40x13 (lxwxh)

I am now at a loss and I would appreciate some advice on exactly what to buy to connect this all up. Things I am thinking of

1. Power supply
2 Transformer
3 The kind of wire to connect everything in parallel
4. In line switch
5. A connector to hook everything to
6. Should I buy snap on connectors or a soldering kit?
7. Do I need to wire a small fan in parallel to distribute heat

I appreciate that this is my first post and this is a big ask but I am getting very confused and have absolutely no idea what to buy.

If providing direct names of products is okay then that would be great. I think I will be okay on putting everything together (I can repair a kiln!) but this has just got me stumped.

Thank you

[kellys_eye]

What you don't indicate is how many LEDs there are per metre. This is required to make the proper calculations.

If, for example, there were 30 LEDs per metre then the type 3528 would require 30 x 0.08W = 0.24W PER METRE so for a 5m tape a total of 1.2 watts. Assuming the same density for the 5050 version (30 LEDs per metre) it would require a total of 6 watts.

Watts are VOLTS multiplied by AMPS and since your LEDs require 12V they will have a current draw of 1.2/12 (or 6/12) which equals 0.1 amps (or 0.5 amps).

It is always better to have a power supply that is rated OVER what you need to keep the heat down and make it last longer so any power supply that provides 12V at ONE amp (or more) will work for a 5m length of LED tape (either version).

You don't necessarily need a switch as you could just turn the power supply on/off at the socket but any single pole switch (SPST) wired in series with one of the DC power lines would work. No fan is required.

The LED tapes can be cut at multiple places (they are all marked as to where) and soldering wires to 'continue' the tracks is as simple as A to A and B to B using single core 0.25mm wire will do. If you can get LED tape with push on connectors so much the easier.

So:

Power rack with a 12V output rated at 1 amp or more.
A single pole switch (called an SPST)
Soldering iron, solder, wire etc.

[Someone-Else]

As kellys_eye points out, I would not bother with a switch as you will need to find somewhere to mount it, and it is another thing to go wrong, and if you don't know what you are doing you could short out the power supply, and the power supply would still be on, so switching it off at the mains would be better and easier.

I would suggest that "snap connectors" would be easier, since no soldering required, and I have seen right-angled ones (For going round corners) Make sure you get the right ones, as some are for 3 tracks some are for 4 tracks (Colour changing strip) you just want it for 2 tracks.

As for which actual parts, its personal choice and budget, so long as they fit the criteria. (I personally do not like small power supplies, so I buy the bigger physical sized ones, I keep a few of them on the shelf, it's just my personal choice, no other reason)

[AnimalBones]

Many thanks

The tape is quoted as 5 m with 300 LED at 0.2 W per LED (so 60 W)

So does this mean I can make do with a single 12 V power supply if I wire them in parallel or do I need something else (I keep seeing reference to transformers)?

What you don't indicate is how many LEDs there are per metre. This is required to make the proper calculations.

If, for example, there were 30 LEDs per metre then the type 3528 would require 30 x 0.08W = 0.24W PER METRE so for a 5m tape a total of 1.2 watts. Assuming the same density for the 5050 version (30 LEDs per metre) it would require a total of 6 watts.

Watts are VOLTS multiplied by AMPS and since your LEDs require 12V they will have a current draw of 1.2/12 (or 6/12) which equals 0.1 amps (or 0.5 amps).

It is always better to have a power supply that is rated OVER what you need to keep the heat down and make it last longer so any power supply that provides 12V at ONE amp (or more) will work for a 5m length of LED tape (either version).

You don't necessarily need a switch as you could just turn the power supply on/off at the socket but any single pole switch (SPST) wired in series with one of the DC power lines would work. No fan is required.

The LED tapes can be cut at multiple places (they are all marked as to where) and soldering wires to 'continue' the tracks is as simple as A to A and B to B using single core 0.25mm wire will do. If you can get LED tape with push on connectors so much the easier.

So:

Power rack with a 12V output rated at 1 amp or more.
A single pole switch (called an SPST)
Soldering iron, solder, wire etc.

[AnimalBones]

Thanks. I will be wiring two batches of nine strips in parallel. Simple question. Can I buy a pack of snap connectors that have wires coming out of the back (of varying length depending on where they are in the box) and, if so, how do I wire these nine wires into into the power supply?

I hope that’s simple. Thanks to all for your time.

As kellys_eye points out, I would not bother with a switch as you will need to find somewhere to mount it, and it is another thing to go wrong, and if you don't know what you are doing you could short out the power supply, and the power supply would still be on, so switching it off at the mains would be better and easier.

I would suggest that "snap connectors" would be easier, since no soldering required, and I have seen right-angled ones (For going round corners) Make sure you get the right ones, as some are for 3 tracks some are for 4 tracks (Colour changing strip) you just want it for 2 tracks.

As for which actual parts, its personal choice and budget, so long as they fit the criteria. (I personally do not like small power supplies, so I buy the bigger physical sized ones, I keep a few of them on the shelf, it's just my personal choice, no other reason)

As kellys_eye points out, I would not bother with a switch as you will need to find somewhere to mount it, and it is another thing to go wrong, and if you don't know what you are doing you could short out the power supply, and the power supply would still be on, so switching it off at the mains would be better and easier.

I would suggest that "snap connectors" would be easier, since no soldering required, and I have seen right-angled ones (For going round corners) Make sure you get the right ones, as some are for 3 tracks some are for 4 tracks (Colour changing strip) you just want it for 2 tracks.

As for which actual parts, its personal choice and budget, so long as they fit the criteria. (I personally do not like small power supplies, so I buy the bigger physical sized ones, I keep a few of them on the shelf, it's just my personal choice, no other reason)

As kellys_eye points out, I would not bother with a switch as you will need to find somewhere to mount it, and it is another thing to go wrong, and if you don't know what you are doing you could short out the power supply, and the power supply would still be on, so switching it off at the mains would be better and easier.

I would suggest that "snap connectors" would be easier, since no soldering required, and I have seen right-angled ones (For going round corners) Make sure you get the right ones, as some are for 3 tracks some are for 4 tracks (Colour changing strip) you just want it for 2 tracks.

As for which actual parts, its personal choice and budget, so long as they fit the criteria. (I personally do not like small power supplies, so I buy the bigger physical sized ones, I keep a few of them on the shelf, it's just my personal choice, no other reason)

[Someone-Else]

You may find the Preview button useful

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[AnimalBones]

Yes, I didn’t cover myself in glory there!

You may find the Preview button useful prv.jpg

[Someone-Else]

Simple question. Can I buy a pack of snap connectors that have wires coming out of the back (of varying length depending on where they are in the box)

Depends where you buy them as to if they have what you require. (I have never looked)

and, if so, how do I wire these nine wires into into the power supply?

You have answered your own question.

I will be wiring two batches of nine strips in parallel.

[AnimalBones]

I’m still confused, I’m afraid. I see lots of power supplies on line that just look like a plug with a round connector at the end. Is this sufficient for 9 strips of LEDS (total 300 LED at 0.2 W per LED)? If I have 9 connectors to the strips, each with wire coming out the back, how do I wire these into a single power supply?

[Someone-Else]

You wire them as you said, in parallel.

If the power supply you intend to buy has a plug, then buy the corresponding socket and wire everything to that. (You may find connector block will help.)

[kellys_eye]

300 LEDs at 0.2W is 60W which, at 12V is about 5 amps.

Get a power supply of at least FIVE amps to power the strip(s) you want. The type of PSU that looks like a laptop charger will do - here's a typical one I found on Ebay.

Personally I would cut down the number of LEDs to fit the output of the power pack shown - you could, of course, find one with a higher rated output.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/UK-Mains-AC- ... SwIFhfto2t

[AnimalBones]

Thank you all for your help. I was able to work out everything I needed from the advice given

[Someone-Else]

Picture?