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How to Power LED Strip Lights with Batteries: A Comprehensive Guide

How to Power LED Strip Lights with Batteries: A Comprehensive Guide

LED strip lights have taken the world by storm, offering a unique and customizable lighting solution for any space. Their flexibility and versatility allow for creative placement options, making them a popular choice among homeowners.

However, one limitation to consider is the need for a power supply. Often, concealing the wiring can be a challenge or a labor-intensive task. So, what if you could power LED strip lights with battery packs?

In this article, we will explore how to connect LED strip lights to batteries, discuss battery life, consider battery requirements, and provide recommendations for battery-powered LED strip lights.

How to Connect LED Strip Lights to a Battery Pack?

Connecting LED strip lights to a battery pack depends on the type of LED strip you have. There are three common types: those designed for DC power, those with exposed copper pads, and those with loose wires.

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Connecting Battery Packs to LED Strip Lights Designed for DC Power

The easiest option is to purchase an LED strip that normally uses a DC power receptacle. Instead of attaching the plug to the DC wire, you can buy a battery box or a power bank that offers a DC output connection. With this method, no rewiring is required. Simply plug the strip into the battery pack, and it will work seamlessly.

Connecting Battery Packs to LED Strip Lights with Exposed Copper Pads

If your LED strip only has exposed copper pads, you’ll need a clip-on connector. Use a 2-pin adaptor if you want to connect it to a battery pack designed for DC power. Alternatively, choose one of these connectors if your battery source has open wires. Ensure that the connector you purchase has the same number of pins as the copper pads on your strip.

Connecting Battery Packs to LED Strip Lights with Loose Wires

If you have a light strip with loose wires, find a battery pack that also has loose wires. Ensure that it can accommodate enough batteries to power your strip. Connect the positive wires of the battery pack and strip light together, and do the same for the neutral wire. You may use a low voltage connector or solder the connection for a secure fit.

How Long Can a Power Bank Power LED Strip Lights?

The duration for which a power bank can power LED strip lights depends on various factors. To calculate the battery life, you need to consider the total wattage of your LED strip and the watt-hours provided by the power bank. Multiply the milliamp hours (mAh) by the total voltage and divide by 1,000 to calculate the watt-hours. Then divide that by the total wattage of the light strip to determine how many hours it will last.

For example, if you’re using a 12,000 mAh power bank rated at 12V

12,000 x 12 = 144,000 144,000 / 1,000 = 144 watt-hours Suppose you have a short 12W LED strip. In that case, the 12,000 mAh power bank would power it for approximately 12 hours (144 watt-hours divided by 12 watts = 12 hours). Battery life is typically presented in mAh, so some conversions may be necessary.

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The table below provides a few examples to illustrate battery life for different LED strip configurations:

Strip Length Total Wattage Battery Watt-hours at 12V Time On Charge Kasa 16.4ft strip 12W 8 x high-capacity AA batteries – total 19,200 mAh 230.4 19.2 hours Kasa 16.4ft strip 12W 24,000 mAh power bank 288 24 hours Hue 6ft 8” strip 20W 8 x high-capacity AA batteries – total 19,200 mAh 230.4 11.5 hours Hue 6ft 8” strip 20W 24,000 mAh power bank 288 14.4 hours Chained 3 x Kasa 16.4ft strip 36W 8 x high-capacity AA batteries – total 19,200 mAh 230.4 6.4 hours Chained 3 x Kasa 16.4ft strip 36W 24,000 mAh power bank 288 8 hours As you can see, the constant operating time is limited, especially when powering multiple strip lights.

However, using a high-capacity power bank, especially for shorter strips, can provide satisfactory results, especially if you don’t leave the lights on continuously.

What are Battery Requirements to Power LED Strips? Powering LED strips with batteries requires considering two main elements: voltage and strip wattage.

Voltage LED strip lights are typically rated for either 12V or 24V. When connecting battery packs to LED strip lights, it is crucial to match the voltage of the strip. Unlike a mains power supply, which includes a transformer to step down the voltage, batteries do not provide this conversion. Hence, if you are powering a 12V strip, you’ll need a 12V battery pack, and for a 24V strip, a 24V battery pack is necessary. Mismatching the voltage can result in reduced brightness or damage to the strip.

Here’s a quick guide to typical battery sizes:

Coin Cell: 3V AA/AAA: 1.5V Rectangle 9V Battery: 9V Lithium Power Bank: 3-20V It’s important to note that coin cell batteries are not suitable for powering LED strip lights, as they are difficult to chain together. They are typically used for the remote control of the LED strip lights. The other battery types mentioned can be used effectively.

>>> Read more: How to Power LED Strip Lights with Batteries: A Comprehensive Guide

When powering a 12V LED light strip, you can easily purchase a battery box designed for AA or AAA batteries, allowing you to connect up to 8 batteries to generate 12V. While a 9V battery can be used on its own, it may not provide the desired brightness. For the best results, consider purchasing a lithium battery, such as a power bank, specifically rated for 12V. Some power banks even provide variable voltage options, allowing you to select the appropriate voltage for your circuit.

Powering a 24V LED light strip is more challenging. One option is to purchase two 12V batteries with exposed wire ends or two battery packs designed for 8 AA or AAA batteries and wire them together in series. However, managing and charging 16 batteries can be logistically challenging. Coin cell batteries and 9V batteries are not suitable for this purpose. Lithium power banks, while commonly used, are generally designed for plug-in connections and may not be compatible.

In summary, if you want to power an LED strip with batteries, it is generally easier to work with 12V strips. While battery-powered strip lights are available for purchase, they typically operate on lower voltages (4.5V or 6V) and may not deliver the desired brightness. Therefore, it is advisable to stick to 12V strips for optimal performance.

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Wattage Once you have determined the voltage of your LED strip, you need to consider the wattage. The wattage per meter or per foot is typically provided on the packaging or in the online description of the LED strip. Multiply this figure by the total length of the strip to calculate the total wattage. 

To estimate battery life, use the formula provided earlier: multiply the milliamp hours (mAh) by the voltage of the batteries and divide by 1,000. Then, divide that by the wattage of your LED lights. This will help you determine how long the battery can power the LED strip lights. If the battery life is insufficient, consider using a battery pack with a higher mAh capacity.

It is worth noting that not all LED strip lights have the same specifications. Some may provide wattage per foot or per meter, while others may only mention the total wattage. In such cases, perform quick calculations to add the wattages together. Multiply the wattage per foot or per meter by the length of that particular part of the strip and add it to the total wattage of the other strip. Once you have the total wattage, you can calculate the battery life.

>>> Read more: How to Easily Connect LED Lights Together​

Best Battery-Powered LED Strip Lights While battery-powered LED strip lights may not shine as brightly as those powered by mains electricity, there are some good options available. Here are a couple of recommendations:

JUNWEN White LED Light Strip This pack includes two LED strip lights measuring a total of 13.2 feet (2 x 6.6 feet reels). It offers cool white and warm white settings, providing a battery-powered lighting solution. The strip is powered by 3 x AA batteries (not included) and claims a battery life of up to 50 hours, depending on the batteries used. It offers around 1,000 lumens, equivalent to approximately 150 lumens per foot—about a third of the brightness of mains-powered strip lights.

Govee Warm White LED Light Strip The Govee light strip is designed for mains power but can be powered by a battery pack with the appropriate DC connector. It offers a total of 2,000 lumens, which translates to approximately 120 lumens per foot. Govee is a well-known brand, ensuring reliability and performance. Battery life will vary based on the chosen battery capacity.

Please note that product availability and specifications may change over time.

Frequently Asked Questions Can You Convert Plug LED Strips to be Powered by Battery? Yes, it is possible to connect an LED strip light to a battery pack instead of using a plug. You will need to replace the plug with the battery pack. Since plugs are not hardwired, it is a matter of purchasing the right connector to connect your LED strip lights to the battery power supply.

What Batteries Do LED Strip Lights Use? LED strip lights that are designed to use a battery pack typically use AA batteries. However, if you are connecting your own battery pack to strip lights, a power bank can be a suitable alternative.

Final Words

In conclusion, connecting LED strip lights to battery packs is achievable but requires additional components such as batteries, battery chargers, and connectors. Considering the limited battery life and the need to recharge the batteries frequently, it may not be the most practical solution, especially for extended usage periods.

Furthermore, power outages are not common enough for this to be a significant concern for most individuals. Therefore, it is advisable to explore alternative power supply options before resorting to battery power. Nonetheless, if you decide to proceed with battery-powered LED strip lights, ensure that you adhere to the recommended voltage and wattage requirements to maximize performance.