Adding a switch to LEDs?

[funkman262]

I'm curious how everyone turns their LED fixtures on and off. I've heard of people using those coaxial dc power jacks but does anyone use toggle or rocker switches (or anything else)? I'm curious because I'm using a 24V power supply but the switches I've seen are just for 12VDC or 125/250VAC. Are they still useable? I'm no electronics master so I have no clue about which switch to use. Any advice is appreciated. Thank you.

 

[kcress]

You should be interrupting the 120Vac going to your supply. That means a switch rated for 120Vac or higher and having, at least, the current rating of what your power supply draws. There are literally thousands of those type switches available. Most hardware stores have them. Home Despot carries them. Radio Stack, Lows, etc., etc.

 

[funkman262]

I thought the switch would go inbetween the buckpucks and the power supplies. I would have the Vin of both buckpucks going to the toggle switch then from the switch to the power supply. Then I'd have the Vout from the buckpucks wired straight to the power supply. Would this not work? Thanks.

 

[kcress]

It would turn the LEDs on and off but it's a poor form wired that way. Whenever possible you want EVERYthing off when you turn 'off' something. Just turning off the DC to the pucks leaves the supply consuming energy and something still 'live'. If you can avoid that in any way - you should.

 

[funkman262]

Gotcha. So something like this toggle switch would work with this power supply running 2 1A buckpucks and a couple fans if I wire the switch after the power supply, right? Thanks again for all your help on this kcress.

 

[kcress]

No, I'd use a stouter switch with bigger terminals. The one you show is a pain to wire up and they are a little fragile.

Something like this one: http://www.alliedelec.com/search/productdetail.aspx?SKU=7574560

If you prefer spade terminals or screw terminals they carry that same switch in those flavors too.

I would say, "right before the power supply". In the 120Vac power leads.

 

[funkman262]

Sorry, I guess I used bad wording. Apparently I'm working backwords in my head. I'll use something like that between the power supply and the outlet. Thanks for the clarification

 

[Brett J]

I'm an electrician and this is what I would do. I would put the controllers in an enclosure along with a regular light switch turning it interrupting the power leads to the transformers. I would put the switch in a handy box inside the enclosure.

Or if you want everything nice and neat in the fixture you could you a switch like this one.
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3016149

I hope this helps. If you have any questions just ask.

 

[funkman262]

Thanks Brett J. I was just going to use a SPST switch for simplicity but I guess the DPST switch would be a better bet. I think I'm going to start the wiring either today or tomorrow so if I do need help, I can guarantee I'll be asking lol. Thanks again.

What's a common place that many people have been keeping their power supply?