I have been testing out small SBEC modules for portable power of LEDs. http://www.elec-tron.org/?p=1338 if anyone is interested I’m using a Hobbyking YEP 20A http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/151484787065
nice details. Very curious how the YEP works out!
If you’re using WS2812s, you can drive them direct from lithiums without any form of power boost. They are happy to as low as 3.5ish volts, which is about when you should recharge a Li, anyway.
Whoa! You want to be super careful with that setup. If you accidentally connect a charged pack to a discharged pack, you’re going to have the charged array dump a boatload of current into the discharged array. To the batteries being discharged (the full cells), this looks like a short, and to the batteries being charged (the emptier cells), this looks like overcharging – both of which could start a fire in the batteries themselves (let alone your wires).
Lithium batteries are very sensitive devices with a lot of stored chemical energy (as much as a hand grenade) – please make sure you’ve done your research on how lithium batteries can be used safely. Connecting them in parallel is possible, but must be done carefully.
Also, I’ve used those HokkyKing YEP20 SBECs, and they’re garbage. Pulling just a few amps from them makes them extremely hot (they shrinkwrapped the heatsink – WHY?), and I had one die after just one day of operation in a shaded installation at Burning Man.
@Luminous_Elements I have read similar reviews online, but mine is working ok so far…lets see what happens when i draw more power. Ive managed to get about 4-5A out so far and it barely heats up
@Leon_Yuhanov I imagine it depends a lot on the environment you’re using them in. They did not like being on the playa.
I would avoid using the YEP20 on wearables just for the safety factor. You really don’t want to be on fire while you try to rip off a complicated costume.
I thought “being on fire” is the ultimate goal in wearable LED costumes 
Hey, so long as you’re only making costumes for yourself, do whatever floats your boat.
@Luminous_Elements any alternatives you’ve found that work better?
Hey, I have been using the HK 20A SBEC for over a year now in my wearable body suit of 300 leds. I don’t draw too much, but can spike up to 10a. I had to cut off the shrinkwrap of coarse. I have been doing some testing today to see how well these hold up to constant heavy loads. And I was pretty dissapointed by the heat generated at just half its rated capacity. I found it stayed at about 115f at 5amp (5v) load with a 13v input. I made a video explaining my light suit… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpaN6D5UQfg