24v to 1-12V

[Squinchy]

Hey so I'm working on setting up a small computer to control all my light's and pumps, and it's powered by a 24Vdc

 

I have a few things like small PC fans, LED cabinet light and a night LED light that is being run by 3 DC adapters that i want out, if i can turn down the V on the 24Vdc power from the computer

 

so my question to you NR people what is the best way to do that ?

[kookie_guy]

Hey so I'm working on setting up a small computer to control all my light's and pumps, and it's powered by a 24Vdc

 

I have a few things like small PC fans, LED cabinet light and a night LED light that is being run by 3 DC adapters that i want out, if i can turn down the V on the 24Vdc power from the computer

 

so my question to you NR people what is the best way to do that ?

 

You'd be looking at a transformer to step down the voltage. Another thing you can do, is basically double up the strings of lights and fans. For example, if you have 2 fans that are both 12vdc, you can wire them in series, and they will now run on 24vdc. Same with lights. You can't mix and match. So you can't do a fan and a string of lights.

[evilc66]

Transformers don't work with DC voltages. You would need to use a DC-DC converter, or just a linear regulator. Linear regulators are cheap, but create a lot of heat when driven at high currents. You probably wouldn't want to use just one to power multiple devices. DC-DC converters are a little more expensive, but much more efficient, and can typically handle more current.

 

That's probably a little more technical than it needs to be, so I'll ask the simple questions now. You say this is a computer, as in PC? If so, it will have a DC-DC converter in it anyway, as no PC drives (optical, HDD, SSD, etc...) run off 24v. 12v DC is common as dirt in PCs.

[kookie_guy]

Transformers don't work with DC voltages. You would need to use a DC-DC converter, or just a linear regulator. Linear regulators are cheap, but create a lot of heat when driven at high currents. You probably wouldn't want to use just one to power multiple devices. DC-DC converters are a little more expensive, but much more efficient, and can typically handle more current.

 

That's probably a little more technical than it needs to be, so I'll ask the simple questions now. You say this is a computer, as in PC? If so, it will have a DC-DC converter in it anyway, as no PC drives (optical, HDD, SSD, etc...) run off 24v. 12v DC is common as dirt in PCs.

 

 

I ment converter. lol. My apologies.