Can you use a computer power supply to drive LED chips?

[dz6t]

Just wondering about this and any input are welcome.
It may not worth it because high quality LED drivers are so cheap these days.

 

[THE WOOKIE]

I used two computer power supply boxes to power a car subwoofer amp in my room before and i would never do it again. One of the boxes caused a fire, luckily i was nearby and put it out before my parents noticed.

 

[reeferpj]

If your talking about a UPS (uninterupted power source) there more for even power for a computer so theres no fluctuations in voltage

 

[panayiote73]

I have done it. The standard 4 pin connectors put out 12V. Generally not a good idea long term but in a pinch it works. Unless you put it in a box or something, I hate how exposed those things are outside a computer case.

 

[dz6t]

Good to know. The reason I asked is that I have a 400w computer power supply laying around and I want to use it to drive a 150w multi-chip LED to see if that works.

 

[panayiote73]

I've had one powering the fan and light in my humidor for about a month now.
You know what else works is a 12v trickle charger for a car/motorcycle battery. I've used that too.
I don't endorse it but again it works in a pinch. God forbid if my box of 80th anniversary Padron 1926's went stale!!

 

[dz6t]

Waoo, there are so many uses for 12V DC power supply.

 

[Mini4x]

I used two computer power supply boxes to power a car subwoofer amp in my room before and i would never do it again. One of the boxes caused a fire, luckily i was nearby and put it out before my parents noticed.

You were probably doing something wrong, computer power supplies cannot handle the massive power fluctuations that a subwoofer amp will need. They have segregated rails that only put of 2-5 amps or so per rail. To drive LED's they should be fine and long as you don't over load the rails.

 

[RMc]

Many LED's work better with a current driver than a constant voltage supply like a computer's PSU.

see articles for deetz

http://ledsmagazine.com/features/9/5/11
http://www.amperor.com/products/led/constant_voltage_constant_current_led_driver.html