5W 12V IP65 Waterproof RGB LED Lights with Remote Control for Fountain - wiring question

[Crossy]

Do verify the output voltage of the transformers with your trusty multimeter (are they definitely DC, can't tell from the photos)? If it's more than about 14V you may have to make some arrangements to reduce it a bit to avoid killing the LEDs.

 

All your LEDs would probably run off just one Tx.

[Encid]

10 minutes ago, Crossy said:

Do verify the output voltage of the transformers with your trusty multimeter

OK, I was going to start a new topic on this subject but seeing you mentioned it... 

 

What would be a good digital multimeter to buy?

 

I currently don't have one, and as we are going to be soon building a new house, along with lots of lighting and cameras (that I'd like to DIY), and a solar PV system (that I will probably outsource to a specialist like Mr.DIY), and other misc. electrical stuff I see the need for a multimeter.

 

What would you recommend?

[Encid]

17 minutes ago, Crossy said:

Do verify the output voltage of the transformers with your trusty multimeter (are they definitely DC, can't tell from the photos)? If it's more than about 14V you may have to make some arrangements to reduce it a bit to avoid killing the LEDs.

 

All your LEDs would probably run off just one Tx.

I will have a closer look at the wiring.

I suspect that the 5 larger transformers are for the 5 submerged pool lights, and the smaller transformer is for the waterfall lighting.

[Crossy]

3 minutes ago, Encid said:

What would be a good digital multimeter to buy?

 

Any of the small digital multimeters that are on sale at the DIY places (or even Tesco Lotus's) should do the trick for DIYing, a few hundred Baht.

 

This is the one I get out if someone wants to "borrow" a meter: -

 

[carlyai]

Sorry to 'but' in again but I noticed that the lights are underwater lights.

My underwater lights can't run out of water as they get too hot and fail. I'm just a source of joy.

[Encid]

6 minutes ago, Crossy said:

Any of the small digital multimeters that are on sale at the DIY places (or even Tesco Lotus's) should do the trick for DIYing, a few hundred Baht.

Are there any "plug'n play" or automatic multimeters available for electrically challenged dummies like me?

[Crossy]

1 minute ago, Encid said:

Are there any "plug'n play" or automatic multimeters available for electrically challenged dummies like me?

 

Pay a bit more for an auto-ranging one, but you still have to select the quantity you want to measure  (AC or DC volts, ohms, amps).

[Encid]

1 minute ago, carlyai said:

Sorry to 'but' in again but I noticed that the lights are underwater lights.

My underwater lights can't run out of water as they get too hot and fail. I'm just a source of joy.

Yours must be the old style halogen pool lights... yes, they do get hot.

We used to have them but I replaced them with LED about a year ago when we drained the pool for re-grouting.

[Encid]

11 minutes ago, Crossy said:

 

Pay a bit more for an auto-ranging one, but you still have to select the quantity you want to measure  (AC or DC volts, ohms, amps).

What do you think about this one... 538 baht at Thaiwatsadu?

 

[Crossy]

17 minutes ago, Encid said:

What do you think about this one... 538 baht at Thaiwatsadu?

 

I wouldn't buy ???? 

 

Biggest issue is the fixed test leads, the one part of a meter that fails is the test leads.

 

I'm loathe to "recommend" a unit unless you want to shell for a Fluke ????  

https://www.lazada.co.th/products/1-fluke-digital-multi-meter-15b-15b-i308838969-s13231551877.html

 

Something like this would suit https://www.lazada.co.th/products/zt102-lcd-digital-multimeter-digital-auto-range-portable-multimeter-6000-counts-backlight-ammeter-voltmeter-ohm-i2752146100-s9995129847.html

 

 

 

[Crossy]

43 minutes ago, carlyai said:

Sorry to 'but' in again but I noticed that the lights are underwater lights.

My underwater lights can't run out of water as they get too hot and fail. I'm just a source of joy.

 

These are IP65, "waterproof" definitely not "underwater" which would be IP68 or better (Note - a "bigger" IP number is not necessarily "better").

 

https://rainfordsolutions.com/products/ingress-protection-ip-rated-enclosures/ip-enclosure-ratings-standards-explained/

 

EDIT - We had some IP65 floodlights that failed because they filled with water from Thai rain

 

[Encid]

I will heed your advice thanks @Crossy

[Crossy]

Just now, Encid said:

I will heed your advice thanks @Crossy

 

The Fluke it is then ????

[carlyai]

44 minutes ago, Encid said:

Yours must be the old style halogen pool lights... yes, they do get hot.

We used to have them but I replaced them with LED about a year ago when we drained the pool for re-grouting.

No, mine are RGB Led lights, keep changing colours. Says, don't run them out of water ....just check your new ones don't say that. 

[carlyai]

16 minutes ago, Crossy said:

 

These are IP65, "waterproof" definitely not "underwater" which would be IP68 or better (Note - a "bigger" IP number is not necessarily "better").

 

https://rainfordsolutions.com/products/ingress-protection-ip-rated-enclosures/ip-enclosure-ratings-standards-explained/

 

EDIT - We had some IP65 floodlights that failed because they filled with water from Thai rain

 

It does day 'underwater light'. 

[Crossy]

6 minutes ago, carlyai said:

It does day 'underwater light'. 

 

Yup, it also says "IP65".

 

It's probably neither.

[Encid]

The saga continues...

 

On 11/25/2022 at 6:13 PM, Woof999 said:

I would endeavour:

 

Brown = +ve

Blue = -ve

Yellow / Green = earth (connected to the metal housing)

 

The yellow one you can test easily with a ohm meter.

 

I did try this... and bought a multimeter (as @Crossy suggested, but not the Fluke!) and the bloody things don't work with a car battery.

 

The multimeter tells me that I have a 12V DC supply across the battery terminals, but when I attach the light to the terminals sweetFA happens.

I tried using the remote control... inserted the batteries and pushed all the buttons... nada, nuffink, sweetFA!

 

I managed to contact the vendor via Lazada chat, and after a merry runaround involving poor translations of Chinese, Thai, and English, the vendor finally replied today with "โปรดหามืออาชีพในการติดตั้ง" which Google Translate tells me means "Please find a professional to install." 

 

OK so it's not a lot of money and I guess I will have to take the hit but before I chuck them in the rubbish bin and find some new ones does anyone have any more suggestions to get them working?

[sometimewoodworker]

1 hour ago, Encid said:

The multimeter tells me that I have a 12V DC supply across the battery terminals, but when I attach the light to the terminals sweetFA happens.

I tried using the remote control... inserted the batteries and pushed all the buttons... nada, nuffink, sweetFA!

 

I managed to contact the vendor via Lazada chat, and after a merry runaround involving poor translations of Chinese, Thai, and English, the vendor finally replied today with "โปรดหามืออาชีพในการติดตั้ง" which Google Translate tells me means "Please find a professional to install." 

 

OK so it's not a lot of money and I guess I will have to take the hit but before I chuck them in the rubbish bin and find some new ones does anyone have any more suggestions to get them working?

It is perfectly possible that what you have received are not 12v LEDs, there are many supply voltages for LEDs. What I would do is first inspect them carefully to see if there is any markings to suggest the supply voltage and if it is AC or DC then I would use my bench power supply and start ramping up the voltage whilst limiting the current at some point the lights will either start to glow or the magic smoke may come out. They are very unlikely to actually go bang however much fun that may be.

 

You don’t have the power supply to play with so your options are limited to the inspection, and hope that the markings if any are true.

 

 

[Encid]

On 11/26/2022 at 2:35 PM, carlyai said:

Transformers look visually a lot more robust than others I have seen. Probably all good. ????

All you want to do is get the new waterfall lights working, so I'll but out and let the exAperts comment. 

When you finish the installation can you share how the waterfall looks with the lights on? I've got a waterfall but no lights. ????

Here you go... I'm really happy with the result.

 

 

 

 

 

[Encid]

I ended up using 3.5" 12V DC LED driving lights... supposedly IP65 rated.

 

 

 

 

[carlyai]

Looks spectacular.