I am planning on using a Teensy 3.1 to drive up to 500 RGB LEDs, specifically the WS2812B LED Strips. Unfortunately, these things suck up 60mA each which comes to 30amps if 500 of them are on full white.
Well, I need to power these things for 2-3 hours with a battery that I can easily fit in my pocket. Let's assume the average current is 25mA each or 12.5A total. The strips are run off of 5V.
I am planning on putting these strips on my clothes, so safety and size are important for the project. I also want to keep costs low, maybe by sourcing from mouser, because I might replicate this.
I've been thinking about using a large capacity 11.1V LiPo battery and then a dc-dc 5V switching regulator to power everything. Maybe having like 10 of the 3A switching regulators soldered right into different segments on the strips. This way I can run smaller gauge wires to the strips since it'll be lower current until it gets to the regulator??
Any thoughts on the following?
Thank you in advance!
Well, I need to power these things for 2-3 hours with a battery that I can easily fit in my pocket. Let's assume the average current is 25mA each or 12.5A total. The strips are run off of 5V.
I am planning on putting these strips on my clothes, so safety and size are important for the project. I also want to keep costs low, maybe by sourcing from mouser, because I might replicate this.
I've been thinking about using a large capacity 11.1V LiPo battery and then a dc-dc 5V switching regulator to power everything. Maybe having like 10 of the 3A switching regulators soldered right into different segments on the strips. This way I can run smaller gauge wires to the strips since it'll be lower current until it gets to the regulator??
Any thoughts on the following?
- kind of battery (LiPo, Lithium, ?)
- voltage for the battery? (higher voltage or lower voltage)
- should I use a dc-dc switching regulator? One large one that can handle the full 30 amps or a like ten of the 3A ones?
Thank you in advance!