Hey, could anyone suggest a good small DC-DC 12v->5v converter capable of respectable current? I have several metal channels with 48 WS2812Bs each, with about an inch of width to work with. I would like to mount one converter in each channel, to ease the external power management. With 48 LEDs, each section is capable of drawing up to 3 amps. That’s quite a lot to ask for such a small space. How can I achieve what I need?
Might want to poke around here … http://www.digikey.com/product-search/en/power-supplies-external-internal-off-board/dc-dc-converters/590047?k=dc+converter&k=&pkeyword=dc+converter&pv71=4&pv488=637&FV=fff40009%2Cfff800df&mnonly=0&newproducts=0&ColumnSort=0&page=1&quantity=0&ptm=0&fid=0&pageSize=25
@David_Brenchley Unfortunately all those appear to be large bulky units that would be used for supplying an entire system. I’m looking for the little PCB type converters like this: https://www.pololu.com/product/2107 but obviously with much more than 600ma output. I’ve seen a few suitable things on eBay and such, but I’m not too sure of their reliability. Hoping someone with experience can suggest something specific they have used?
Did you search the other products Digi offers …
Couldn’t seem to find any of that type…
Pololu offers the smallest and most reliable buck converts that I have ever used, though they are not the cheapest. This model should be more than ample for your needs:
check this one out on eBay : http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ultra-small-size-DC-DC-step-down-power-supply-module-3A-adjustable-LM2596-5V-out-/401190674927 , I can’t guarantee that it will deliver the 3A as advertised but it should be worth a try.
@Aljubouri_A Thanks, I’ll check those out if I can’t find something which someone here has already used.
@1icri_Old_Account Hi, recently I’ve asked the same question in this community and somebody recommended the Murata Power Solutions converters to me. I have been using the okl-t6-w12 (6A, super small) type in a light installation. They work surprisingly well, and are really cheap in my opinion (€8,00). They also offer smaller current converters.
@Timo_Lejeune Thanks, that looks incredibly promising.
If you’re really short on space, you could try something like this, there may be a 3A version
Don’t want linear regulators as the point of this is to push more current by stepping down from more voltage.
Here’s a picture where you can see just how small the Murata converter is. It’s the small round thingy right next to the ethernet receiver.
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@1icri_Old_Account I’ve ordered and used the small buck converters mentioned by @Aljubouri_A for some wearable panels. 12v in from a lipo battery, stepped down to 5v that go out to 144 LEDs per converter. Works well. That being said, I ordered them from eBay and 2 of the 10 were faulty.