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Old 11-12-2024, 23:23   #16
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Re: Reliable LED strip lighting?

In addition to being reliable I am looking for LED strips that do not cause RFI in the HF bands. I redid my light fixtures with LED strip lights and now I need to turn off all these lights to operate Marine SSB and Ham radio.

Any suggestions?
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Old 11-12-2024, 23:57   #17
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Re: Reliable LED strip lighting?

Quote:
Originally Posted by TeddyDiver View Post
Not just voltage but regulated current.
LED’s require a current supply instead of a voltage supply. This is accomplished by calculating the value of a series resistor. This resistor then limits the current to the correct value but only at a specific voltage.

In other words: the requirement for a specific current supply is converted into a requirement for a specific voltage supply by this series resistor.

A LED strip is actually a flexible circuit board. It often has LED’s connected in series of three or six and can have resistors but also active components like transistors or even complex chips for addressing individual LED’s etc.

I have LED light bulbs that specify something like 9-30V power supply. Those have a regulator. This is the type that can interfere with radio reception. LED lights used for navigation lights, even when specified for 12V only, still have a regulator because it is expected to have very long circuit wiring with voltage losses while regulations require a minimum brightness. Hopefully these have internal shielding and filtering to suppress EM noise to prevent interference.

I have also seen LED’s in the familiar (Carling) toggle switches like almost every boat has for bilge pumps that state 12/24V. These have a resistor that is good for 30V but also a high efficiency LED so that output is still enough with 12V.

So you just don’t know what you get. On LED strips you can use a magnifier or microscope to examine components. If you have individual LED’s that fail on a LED strip then it is the LED itself that has failed. If it is a section of three LED’s or more, it’s probably another component. Either case is a sign of bad quality.
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Old 12-12-2024, 01:29   #18
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Re: Reliable LED strip lighting?

Quote:
Originally Posted by stormalong View Post
In addition to being reliable I am looking for LED strips that do not cause RFI in the HF bands. I redid my light fixtures with LED strip lights and now I need to turn off all these lights to operate Marine SSB and Ham radio.

Any suggestions?
Think I may have got off lightly...

Also ham radio onboard, and loads of little voltage buck converters. Like on fans, chart table lights, microcontrollers, raspberry pi..

Which seem to be fine without impacting ham radio reception which cruising full time gets used a lot on passage. For resistor current limited LED strips etc they work well, back in the real world pull the voltage own a bit they will likely be well down form being driven full wack so even with age and temperature fluctuations the current will still be in a safe place.

To check the RF one way is to use wsjt & gridtracker
https://gridtracker.org/
https://gridtracker.org/

Have a look at the map & make a note of the signal dB of a handful then watch the waterfall and start turning things on slowly. Should show up which devices are noisy.

Or ask an AI what low noise buck converters are available. Actually chat away with an AI, far more productive than wading through forums these days and the likes of perplexity usually comes up with very good links the where it found the info.

Quote:
Q. i have a ham radio on a sailing boat . I am having qrm rf noise problems likely from 12v buck converters. Are there low noise buck converters available or what does every one else do? Provide the links to your sources as full text ip address in each section of the reply
Quote:
Answer
I understand the challenges of managing RF noise on a boat. The issue of QRM from 12V buck converters is indeed a common problem in marine ham radio setups. Let's explore some solutions and alternatives that other sailors and radio operators have found effective.
Low-Noise Buck Converters
While buck converters are generally known to produce RF noise, there are some options designed to minimize interference:
Linear Technology (now part of Analog Devices) offers low-noise buck converters specifically designed for sensitive RF applications[https://www.powerstream.com/rt16-lin...converter.htm].
Some ham radio operators have reported success with certain models from Texas Instruments, such as the TPS62912 or TPS62913, although availability can be an issue[https://www.reddit.com/r/AskElectron..._ripple_that/].
However, it's important to note that even "low-noise" buck converters may still produce some level of interference, especially in sensitive HF applications.
Alternative Solutions
Many ham radio operators opt for alternative approaches to manage power conversion while minimizing RF noise:
Linear Regulators: For lower current applications, linear regulators like the 7805 or 78L05 can be a quieter option, though they are less efficient and may require heat sinking[https://forum.dronebotworkshop.com/e...an-rf-device/].
Filtering: Adding proper filtering to both input and output of buck converters can significantly reduce noise. This might include:
Ferrite beads on power leads
LC pi filters
Common mode chokes[https://www.n1fd.org/forums/topic/lo...v-conversion/]
Shielding: Enclosing the buck converter in a metal case with proper filtering on input and output leads can help contain RF emissions[https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradi...ike_this_for/].
Combination Approach: Some operators use a buck converter to drop voltage to within 1-2V of the target, then use a linear regulator for final regulation. This combines efficiency with low noise[https://www.reddit.com/r/AskElectron..._ripple_that/].
Best Practices for Noise Reduction
To minimize QRM in your marine ham radio setup:
Use high-quality, shielded power cables.
Keep power conversion equipment as far from the radio and antenna as possible.
Implement a robust grounding system on your boat.
Use ferrite chokes on all cables near your radio equipment.
Consider using a dedicated battery for your radio to isolate it from other onboard electrical systems[https://qrm.guru/reducing-noise-in-the-shack/].
Conclusion
While low-noise buck converters exist, many ham radio operators on boats find that a combination of careful power system design, filtering, and shielding is the most effective approach to managing RF noise. Experiment with different solutions and monitor your noise floor to find the best setup for your specific situation.
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Old 12-12-2024, 06:22   #19
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Re: Reliable LED strip lighting?

Wow...pretty complex answers! I used IKEA strip led lighting (yep...just cut the power supply off and fed them what my batteries offered) and they have been there for years. Total investment of about $20 (yeah I know big spender).
Now that boat is sold and am installing the same cheap led strip lights into our new to us boat and expect the same results...and if they crap out in 5 or so years I guess I will splurge and replace them. They work great and love to be able to change colour's, dim them, etc., and they draw so little that when we leave the boat for an evening we can leave them on without worrying how much juice they are drawing. Plus coming back to the welcoming glow of our boat is nice! ��
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