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A cheap and simple way to connect a 10W LED to a 12 volt supply. A current regulated LED driver keeps the LED at maximum brightness, while a heatsink and fan keeps it at a safe temperature. Total cost of parts, including the car cigar lighter plug and cable, is around £4.
2 Pin 50mm DC 12V VGA Card Cooler Heatsinks Cool Fan SY http://r.ebay.com/jVvnaY
5 X High Power 10W Warm White DC 9-11V LED Beads Lamp Bulb Chips 900-1000LM SMD http://r.ebay.com/BHbfHJ
1pcs Power Driver for 1x10w LED Light Lamp 950mA 12V MR16 http://www.ebay.com/itm/1pcs-Power-Driver-for-1x10w-LED-Light-Lamp-950mA-12V-MR16-/121080902070?roken=cUgayN&soutkn=TotL42
12V 24V Male Car Cigarette Lighter Socket Plug Connector On Off Switch 1.5m DBX http://r.ebay.com/SLv2Op

By Julian

Youtuber, shed dweller, solar charge controller aficionado

18 thoughts on “Led tutorial: light a 10w led from 12v – simple cheap”
  1. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars hendri tresnahadi says:

    Can i put led to 12v ps direcly without driver ? Tx u mr

  2. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Love made in Japan says:

    Car batteries are not 12V. They are more like 14V. What if you just use a 2W 10Ω resistor?

  3. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Rickybritish German says:

    Hi I am looking for a led driver for my 12v 50w led chip for a motorcycle headlight project any recommendations please.?

  4. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars qnaman says:

    I assuem I can use dc – dc regulated converter? they are also efficient. like xl4015.

  5. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars DJICXZONE BADXCAB says:

    tnx 👍👌

  6. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars David Navratil says:

    Can you make video like this for changing temperature and zooming? I like to have light Lowel gl1.. thank you

  7. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Peter Thomas Fanega says:

    Is it safe to use this led chip without heatsink fan for the replacement to my headlight led in motorcycle?

  8. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars The Lydia Spring Experiment says:

    these are 5p each in bulk. they are not very efficient in 10w drive. for better performance use them at half or quarter power. put 2 in parallel and drive direct with a 5w 10 ohm resistor. if you compare lumens per watt (how much power is NOT turned to heat) this gives better results than the one led with current control circuit.

  9. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars S G Nsibande says:

    Beautiful work, can't thank you enough for the good work ….. on the 1W LED do you need a fan if connecting 6 of them?

  10. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars dlinnoedlinnoe says:

    10 W LED should go without any vent, I guess. The ceiling bulbs are 10-12 W, my computer is 15-20 W, all w/o vents. Also If you measured/regulated the current/voltage, the video would be more informative. Thanks anyways, your videos are always great!

  11. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars John Parker says:

    Could you hook this to like a small battery say a pocket phone battery charger. Like a battery pack

  12. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars SVSunnyJim says:

    Thankyou, clear and excellent. In order to keep my project quiet Re the fan heatsink, could I use just a piece of flat bar, say 3mm?

  13. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars BHABHA IT SOLUTION says:

    How long constantly this can work

  14. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Carlos Barba says:

    Hello, great video, I would like to know if I had 2 sets same as this one (2x10w led, 2x drivers, 2 heat sink with fan) what kind of power supply do I need to make them run at the same time and how do I make the conections? Im trying to make a reeflamp but not sure how to make it happen

  15. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars migo jolo says:

    6 years later: how long did it last?

  16. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Wheel Rolling says:

    If you ran this at 9 volts you would not need the driver or the heat sink?

  17. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jesus E. Castillo G. says:

    BUENO EL TUTORIAL NADA MAS QUITA LA MUSICA ORQUE NO TE ENTIENDO BIEN

  18. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Hola! KelDG3 says:

    I'm looking to get a 12v 10w led, but all the ones on eBay say that the current for these is 240mA, wouldn't that make them 3W LEDs? I don't understand why the constant current device is around 900mA? I think I am missing something here, can't anyone help? Thanks

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