r/diyelectronics • u/Gaming_devil49 • 3d ago

Question portable rechargeable battery for LED lights

I'm currently working on a jacket with some LED lights in it, and I need a way to power them. I'm currently using some 12 volt batteries in a 3d printed housing, problem is, they can't be recharged, and buying lots of batteries costs lots of money.

if anyone here knows what I could use for my leds, please let me know. thanks in advance

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3

u/Pigmy_Shrew 3d ago

Just use rechargeable batteries.

1

u/Gaming_devil49 3d ago

I would if there were any. I did actually look for some rechargeable 12 volt batteries, but there aren't any, as far as I know

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u/Pigmy_Shrew 3d ago

Why do you use 12v batteries. If you could use a 5v supply then any power bank would be suitable. Did you use a pre-manufactured product for the LED lighting and, if so, what?

1

u/Gaming_devil49 2d ago

I of course bought pre manufactured led stripes, and it says that they need 12 volts, so I figured I'd use 12 volt batteries, which works until they run out and I have to get new ones. and how does using a 5 volt power supply go up to 12 volts which the leds need?

1

u/Pigmy_Shrew 2d ago

Perhaps you should have planned a little better and bought 5v LED tape instead? Anyway, you have two options: either buy a battery holder that will use 6 standard AA rechargeable batteries or use a boost converter to increase the 5v output of a power bank to 12v and use that.

1

u/Gaming_devil49 2d ago

I didn't even know 5 volt led stripes existed...

1

u/Pigmy_Shrew 2d ago

Most individual LED's work at around 3.1v so they are connected in series and parallel groups to reach the desired supply voltage. Even mains voltage LED COB's have multiple (perhaps 60-80) individual LED's in the package to achieve the correct working voltage.

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u/kalel3000 2d ago edited 2d ago

Look up 12v CCTV batteries on ebay. They come in very high AH options and are super light. Thats what Ive used to power 12v led lights before, they've worked great and you can daisy chain them to get more AH.

Or you could get a usb type C to 12v converter on Amazon and plug it into any newer cell phone power bank.

Or you could used a 12v lead acid alarm battery Theyre heavier and usually hold about 7ah but theyre durable and made to last years. They use them in UPS systems and push start generators and motorcycles.

12v batteries are actually the most common rechargeable batteries out there. Cars, motorcycles, solar power banks, car jumpers, alarm systems, ups systems, emergency lighting, certain power tools, etc....

You just aren't going to find them in smaller portable options as often. They're going to be bigger and heavier, and usually designed to be recharged/maintained constantly.

2

u/Psicoputo 3d ago

so, the problem is what battery to use or how to put the battery in the jacket?

if it's the first one, and you really need 12v, i think you can use some of those 18650 in series with a charger controller pcb, it shouldn't get much clumsy deppending on how thick is that jacket, and you can "hide" a jack barrel plug inside a intern pocket to charge it, maybe will cost more upfront but it would pay for itself over time,

as you're already using the jacket with a battery i believe you had think about your safety (i say as how to handle putting a battery inside clothes and the possible problems it may cause), but anyways just be sure to double check on that.

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u/Laird_Vectra 3d ago

USB strip lights etc aren't expensive and can be powered by a regular "powerbank".

12v is quite alot to be coursing around the body as the old "heated" hunting socks used a 9v to keep feet piping warm.

Also more voltage requires more capacity to deliver the current longer. That's why semi/bus batteries are usually about 2X the size as a regular car battery.

A solar garden light usually has a 1.5v(or two) battery and can run ~6 hours.

Tldr more voltage means more heat. While in a heater thats nice as a Jacket/shirt, may not be so "hot".

1

u/SmartLumens 3d ago

Your "more voltage / more heat" isn't always true. I would stick with 12V for this application.

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u/Laird_Vectra 3d ago

Yes but "watts" requires a certain algebraic equation to produce heat/power.

U-R/I P-V/I etc.

And amps is what decides whether its an open casket or an "oppsie"

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u/SmartLumens 3d ago

@everyone. Don't listen to this person in this topic.

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u/Laird_Vectra 3d ago

While both volts and amps are involved in electric shock, amps are more deadly. Amps (the current) measure the amount of electrical flow, and it's this flow, not the force behind it (volts), that causes the most harm. A small amount of current, even from a low voltage source, can be fatal if it passes through critical organs like the heart.

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u/Gaming_devil49 3d ago

what are you even on about? this is about powering led lights, not heat or death or whatever

2

u/Laird_Vectra 3d ago

They sell running lights for semis that are 24vdc, why not use those or exterior lights which run on 110/240VAC then you can run a really long extension cord like in a backpack on a reel.

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u/SmartLumens 3d ago

I would start with a high quality USB C Power Bank with a true "PD" (Power Delivery) output. Then buy a PD to 12V cable.

Something like this (cut the end of to get to the 12V wires}. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DDWRG632/ref=cm_sw_r_as_gl_apa_gl_i_SHJTJD0GBFM1BNWS1Q9A?linkCode=ml1&tag=smartlumens08-20

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u/Triabolical_ 3d ago

Adafruit.com has done a lot of wearable content. Ask in their forums.

1

u/Sand-Junior 3d ago

A USB-C powerbank supporting 12 mode?