navmenu

spacer


Celebrating the independent kiwi spirit of invention.

Original list by Ian Mander started 1 February 2008. Added to this site (Aqualab) 26 November 2008. Database released 27 May 2009.
Please note that the date mentioned below that the database code was last updated is not the date the data itself was last updated.

Driver List
Database code 16 December 2019
Footnotes 10 August 2016

• Step-up drivers
• Low voltage step-down drivers

• Mains drivers
• User interface & PWM drivers

Drivers not yet added
3 March 2012
Links
28 February 2012

Why use a driver?
20 February 2010

Driver types overview
15 September 2010

LED Driver List – multimode LED drivers

An O-ring, Tailcap & Silicone Grease List is also available.

Video Foundry/Aqualab does not sell any of these drivers. Links are provided to resellers. The short URL for this list is www.videofoundry.co.nz/driverlist. See the bottom of the page for my email address. If you're just a spam bot looking for fodder, spam the hell out of these spammers' addresses: spammer address 1, spammer address 2, spammer address 3. They deserve a taste of their own spam.

Note that some sellers are more reliable than others. Inclusion of particular resellers in this list is not an endorsement of them as businesses. Note that Fasttech closed in December 2022 but the drivers are still included for reference.

Jump to: Footnotes & Instructions | Schottky diodes.

39 drivers found. Listed by driver name.

Driver Name

SKU or catalogue #

Retailer

Price (US$)
(shipping incl unless
otherwise stated)

Driver Type

Driver Purpose

 Vin min-max
(DC except where noted)		 Number of LEDs (or LED dice) in series
min-max		 Battery Suitability Efficiency
min-max

Output Current
(off the shelf)

Max current (with just a resistor modification)

 Number of Modes Size
(diameter except where noted)

Notes

Show only SKUs containing
from $
to $

Stock level


from
to

Driver can power

LEDs incl with driver

    (instead of off-the-shelf current)
from
to

from
to
 

1 channel LED strip controller

206581

DealExtreme

$6.20 for 2

User interface driver

5.0-24 V 1-6 5 V or 12 V or 24 V  

12 A

 13 250 mm x 13 mm x 7 mm 1 channel, maximum 12 A.

1 channel LED strip wireless controller

4055200

FastTech

$2.95

User interface driver

5.0-24 V 1-6 USB, 12 V, 24 V DC  

12 A

 8 86 mm x 40 mm x 7 mm 1 channel, maximum 12 A. RF remote control.

2 channel LED strip controller

318143

DealExtreme

$18.54

User interface driver

12-24 V 1-6 12 V or 24 V DC  

8 A

 4 86 mm x 86 mm x 35 mm 2 channel, maximum 4 A per channel. Touch panel control.

3 Channel Controller for RGB LED Light Strip

131770

DealExtreme

$16.80

User interface driver

12-24 V 1-6 12 V or 24 V DC  

12 A

 21 90 mm x 70 mm x 30 mm Three channel LED controller, maximum power switching 144 W (12 V) or 288 W (24 V), 4 A per channel (12 A total) or 5 A maximum for a single channel. 21 modes. RF remote control.

4 channel, RGBW LED strip controller

318148

DealExtreme

$18.99

User interface driver

12-24 V 1-6 12 V or 24 V DC mains power  

24 A

 12 110 mm x 52 mm x 20 mm 4 channel, maximum 6 A per channel. Touch panel RF remote control.

A620RF, 12A 288W RGB controller

121926

DealExtreme

$21.50

User interface driver

12-24 V 1-6 12 V or 24 V DC  

12 A

 21 130 mm x 62 mm x 23 mm Three channel, each channel 4 A, maximum 5 A, total 12 A. Maximum power handling 144 W at 12 V, 288 W at 24 V. RF remote control.

A729RF, 216W/24V RGB controller

120016

DealExtreme

$26.10

User interface driver

12-24 V 1-6 12 V or
24 V DC		  

9 A

 11 100 mm x 60 mm x 43 mm 3 channel LED controller, each channel up to 3 A. Maximum power handling 108 W at 12 V, 216 W at 24 V. RF remote control.

bFlex v3

bflex

TaskLED

$30.00 + shipping
(sold out and/or discontinued)

Buck driver

4.0-25 V 1-7    

1000 mA
constant current

 8 25 mm Buck regulator. Constant current out 350-1000 mA (user reconfigurable) at up to 24 V, uController UI. Thermal and polarity protection included.

DMX640A, 4 channel, RGBW LED strip controller

320614

DealExtreme

$37.16

User interface driver

12-24 V 1-6 12 V or 24 V DC mains power  

20 A

 21 124 mm x 47 mm x 29 mm 4 channel, maximum 5 A per channel. 43 mode. IR remote control.

H6Flex

h6flex

TaskLED

$40.00 + shipping

Buck driver

7.0-21 V 1-6   90%

6600 mA
constant current

 5 33 mm Features uController UI, "User menu reconfigurable to 1400mA/­2000mA/­2800mA/­3600mA/­5000mA/­5600mA or 6600mA at any time." Ships configured for 1.4 A output. Input voltage needs to be at least 1 V higher than output voltage (at 2.8 A).

LED dimmer

259610

DealExtreme

$7.80

User interface driver

5.0-24 V 1-6 5 V, 12 V or 24 V DC  

12 A

 6 86 mm x 40 mm x 7 mm Maximum switched current 12 A (originally with the probably bogus qualifier of 15% duty cycle). RF remote control.

Nitefire RGB LED strip controller

286942

DealExtreme

$19.91

User interface driver

12-24 V 1-6 12 V or 24 V DC  

12 A

 5 85 mm x 85 mm x 36 mm 3 channel, maximum 4 A per channel. Touch panel control.

RGB LED strip controller

156949

DealExtreme

$25.00

User interface driver

12-24 V 1-6 12 V or 24 V DC  

18 A

 15 113 mm x 55 mm x 20 mm 3 channel, maximum 6 A per channel. RF remote control (touch sensitive).

RGB LED strip controller

194503

DealExtreme

$10.40

User interface driver

5.0-24 V 1-6 12 V DC  

12 A

 20 170 mm x 13 mm x 3 mm Three channel, maximum 4 A per channel. RF remote control.

RGB LED strip controller

199746

DealExtreme

$4.99
(up from $4.70)

User interface driver

12-24 V 1-6 12 V DC  

12 A

 19 165 mm x 13 mm x 8 mm 3 channel, maximum 4 A per channel. Apparently the description's 12 V is correct, not the photo's "12-24V" (which has been photoshopped out of the first photo).

RGB LED strip controller

206559

DealExtreme

$6.80 for 2

User interface driver

12-24 V 1-6 12 V or 24 V DC  

12 A

 20 163 mm x 13 mm x 7 mm 3 channel, maximum 4 A per channel.

RGB LED strip controller

206555

DealExtreme

$6.80 for 2

User interface driver

12-24 V 1-6 12 V or 24 V DC  

12 A

 20 160 mm x 13 mm x 8 mm 3 channel, maximum current unknown, possibly 4 A per channel.

RGB LED strip controller

217455

DealExtreme

$23.50

User interface driver

12-24 V 1-6 12 V or 24 V DC  

18 A

 20 85 mm x 45 mm x 22 mm 3 channel, maximum 6 A per channel. RF remote control.

RGB LED strip controller

230544

DealExtreme

$6.50

User interface driver

5.0-24 V 1-6 5 V, 12 V or 24 V DC  

6000 mA

 21 125 mm x 56 mm x 7 mm 3 channel, maximum 2 A per channel. IR remote control.

RGB LED strip controller

252478

DealExtreme

$7.70

User interface driver

5.0-24 V 1-6 5 V, 12 V or 24 V DC  

12 A

 21 87 mm x 40 mm x 7 mm 3 channel, maximum 4 A per channel. RF remote control.

RGB LED strip controller

252478

DealExtreme

$7.70

User interface driver

5.0-24 V 1-6 5 V, 12 V, or 24 V DC  

12 A

 21 87 mm x 40 mm x 7 mm 3 channel, maximum 4 A per channel. RF remote control.

RGB LED strip controller

273847

DealExtreme

$9.47

User interface driver

5.0-24 V 1-6 5 V, 12 V or 24 V DC  

12 A

 19 86 mm x 40 mm x 7 mm 3 channel, maximum 12 A total. RF remote control. Stated size is apparently the remote control.

RGB LED strip controller

286931

DealExtreme

$20.38

User interface driver

12-24 V 1-6 12 V or 24 V DC  

18 A

 20 88 mm x 45 mm x 22 mm 3 channel, maximum 6 A per channel. RF touch panel remote.

RGB LED strip controller

365027

DealExtreme

$6.97 for 5

User interface driver

12-24 V 1-6 12 V, 24 V DC  

6000 mA

 19 138 mm x 12 mm x 10 mm 3 channel, maximum 2 A per channel.

RGB LED strip controller

392321

DealExtreme

$6.72 for 5

User interface driver

12-24 V 1-6 12 V, 24 V DC  

12 A

 19 45 mm x 13 mm x 6 mm 3 channel, maximum 4 A per channel, maximum output power 144 W.

RGB LED strip controller

392333

DealExtreme

$8.20 for 5

User interface driver

12-24 V 1-6 12 V, 24 V DC  

12 A

 19 45 mm x 13 mm x 5 mm 3 channel, maximum 4 A per channel, maximum output power 144 W.

RGB LED strip controller

4055300

FastTech

$2.97

User interface driver

5.0-24 V 1-6 USB, 12 V, 24 V DC  

12 A

 39 86 mm x 40 mm x 7 mm 3 channel, maximum 4 A per channel. RF remote control.

RGB LED strip music controller

203732

DealExtreme

$11.90

User interface driver

12-24 V 1-6 12 V DC  

6000 mA

 14 62 mm x 35 mm x 22 mm 3 channel, maximum 2 A per channel. IR remote control.

RGB LED strip music controller

225741

DealExtreme

$26.10

User interface driver

12-24 V 1-6 12 V or 24 V DC  

18 A

 21 165 mm x 86 mm x 26 mm 3 channel, maximum 6 A per channel. IR remote control.

RGB LED strip music controller

271647

DealExtreme

$37.92

User interface driver

12-24 V 1-6 12 V or 24 V DC  

18 A

 20 100 mm x 85 mm x 26 mm Two sets of 3 channel outputs, maximum 6 A per channel. RF remote control.

RGB LED strip touch controller

265927

DealExtreme

$24.10

User interface driver

12-24 V 1-6 12 V or 24 V DC  

12 A

 4 120 mm x 74 mm x 42 mm 3 channel, maximum 4 A per channel.

SLCB-4A0

105207

DealExtreme

$16.00

User interface driver

12-24 V 1-6    

4000 mA

 3 38 mm x 28 mm x 16 mm Presumed to be a PWM controller for RGB LED strips which have current limiting resistors built in. 3 channel, output current maximum 4A per channel. 3 modes; smooth flow, strobe, fading. Blue anodised aluminium box, claimed to be waterproof (no IP rating given). IR remote control included.

SLCB-4A0W

105209

DealExtreme

$16.00

User interface driver

12-24 V 1-6    

4000 mA

 5 38 mm x 28 mm x 16 mm Presumed to be a PWM controller for warm white/cool white 3258 LED strips which have current limiting resistors built in, with the idea apparently being to select the overall tint. 2 channel, output current maximum 4A per channel. Adjustable brightness; 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, 100%. Golden anodised aluminium box, claimed to be waterproof (no IP rating given). IR remote control included.

TP001, RGB LED strip controller

152274

DealExtreme

$30.70

User interface driver

12-24 V 1-6 12 V or 24 V DC  

12 A

 14 86 mm x 86 mm x 40 mm 3 channels, maximum 4 A per channel.

TP003, RGB LED strip controller

151872

DealExtreme

$28.80

User interface driver

12-24 V 1-6 12 V or 24 V DC  

12 A

 14 86 mm x 86 mm x 37 mm 3 channels, maximum 4 A per channel. Power consumption <1 W.

TRC02 B, RGB LED strip controller

130908

DealExtreme

$27.70

User interface driver

12-24 V 1-6 12 V or 24 V DC  

18 A

 4 125 mm x 47 mm x 26 mm 3 channels, maximum 6 A per channel at 12 V, or 4 A per channel at 24 V. RF remote control.

TRC02(W), RGB LED strip controller

130913

DealExtreme

$27.70

User interface driver

12-24 V 1-6 12 V or 24 V DC  

18 A

 4 125 mm x 47 mm x 26 mm 3 channels, maximum 6 A per channel at 12 V, or 4 A per channel at 24 V. RF remote control.

TRC05 B, RGB LED strip controller

130901

DealExtreme

$25.70

User interface driver

12-24 V 1-6 12 V or 24 V DC  

18 A

 4 90 mm x 70 mm x 27 mm 3 channels, maximum 6 A per channel at 12 V, or 4 A per channel at 24 V. RF remote control.

TRC05 W, RGB LED strip controller

130907

DealExtreme

$25.80

User interface driver

12-24 V 1-6 12 V or 24 V DC  

18 A

 4 90 mm x 70 mm x 25 mm 3 channels, maximum 6 A per channel at 12 V, or 4 A per channel at 24 V. RF remote control.

Notes

Footnotes & Instructions

  • Video Foundry/Aqualab does not sell any of these drivers. Links are provided to resellers.
  • Use the pop-up menus, check boxes, etc, in the second row of the table to filter the results.
  • Click on the links in the titles in the top row of the table to order the results by that information.
  • Results of searches can be bookmarked because all the search parameters are contained in the URL. (You can delete the parameters you don't want - for example, http://www.videofoundry.co.nz/ianman/laboratory/research/driverlist.php?sku=26110 brings up just that driver.)
  • All prices in US$ (except where dual prices are listed in US$ and € for some European retailers).
  • All driver boards from DealExtreme and KaiDomain include shipping.
  • Information is unfortunately not guaranteed to be correct. any updates, corrections, omissions, etc.
  • However, please don't bother sending me an email to tell me about your company's LED products. It will be treated as spam. I really don't like spam, and SpamCop is busy enough as it is without having to process your email as well. Putting "Re" in the front of your spam's subject does not make it any less likely your spam will be sent to SpamCop.
  • Recommended drivers highlighted in green. They have a good combination of price, features and efficiency.
  • Drivers no longer available (sold out or backordered) are highlighted in grey.
  • Recommended drivers no longer available are highlighted in a darker green.
  • Drivers listed at those resellers as "Backordered" etc for more than a month are deemed to be discontinued (although I'm happy to later be proven wrong).
  • Don't connect drivers that have capacitors across their outputs to LEDs while the driver is powered. An explanation (on CPF) why not.
  • No mains driver will be completely waterproof. Those that are water resistant mostly have an IP rating (eg, IP67).

Notes on AMC7135 linear regulator (click to expand/contract)

The AMC7135 (datasheet) is a linear regulator, which means it acts like a variable resistor changing its value to try to keep the current constant. Like a resistor, any dropped voltage is burnt off as heat. Boards include a polarity protection diode and can easily be PWM-driven for lower modes.

Vin must be at least 0.12 V above Vf of LED to stay in regulation, although they drop out of regulation quite gracefully, not suddenly. The graph in the AMC7135 datasheet (Jan 2006) has the 0.1 and 1 volt vertical lines missing. Each AMC7135 provides constant current, about 1/3 amp (actually 300-380 mA depending on particular version; I've generally assumed 330-335 mA for above listings). Boards come with one to eight AMC7135s, and single mode up to 20 mode. Boards can be paralleled to give greater output, or connected with one multimode board controller providing the modes for several boards.

The AMC7135 is very efficient when input voltage is close to output voltage but not particularly good when input voltage is significantly higher. Average efficiency for 3x NiMH or 1x Li-ion can be well over 90% with an LED with the right Vf. Test results and discussion for 3 and 4 chip boards.

Since the AMC7135 just burns off excess input volts as heat, the more volts fed into them the hotter they'll get. One guy claimed that his got so hot they slid right off the board (ie, >183-190 °C melting range of 60/40 solder). The AMC7135 has built-in thermal protection (which will cause dropouts or a flickering effect if it gets too hot) but the multi-mode control chips used on the multi-mode boards are much less rugged. (And here.) If using with an input voltage above 4.5 V or so you can expect them to get hot!

To get multiple modes typical microcontrollers used are the Atmel ATtiny13 (or 13A or 13V) and the Microchip PIC12F629. These both have a 5.5 V maximum, while the AMC7135 linear regulator has a 6.0 V maximum. This means that multimode drivers will have a slighty lower maximum voltage than single mode boards.

Tip 1: To get reliable operation at low voltages, especially with only one AMC7135 chip being used, you may need to short out (and maybe remove) the polarity protection diode(s)*. This is because the AMC7135 in series with a polarity protection diode needs a minimum 2.7 V + 0.6 V (silicon diode) = 3.3 V to stay in regulation. The Vf of LEDs at 330-350 mA can easily be quite a bit lower than 3.3 V so will not be running in regulation. Note that if a germanium or Schottky diode was used the drop could be as low as 0.3 V instead of 0.6 V.

* However, I found with one multimode board this caused the board to go unstable (don't know exactly why) but I found that inserting a small value resistor instead of the diode was enough to get the driver stable again. Because the drive current through that point in the circuit is so low (6 mA for mine) there's very little voltage drop across the resistor - much less than across the diode - so it still serves the purpose of saving ~0.6 V.

Tip 2: If the input voltage is too high you may be able to use another LED in series with the board to drop the voltage - it beats burning it all off as heat. (The set current is <1 mA for single mode boards so both LEDs will get practically identical current. Diagrams and much discussion of use with multiple Seoul P7s and multi-mode boards.) More than one extra LED appears to be not a good idea for use with the lower modes of multi-mode boards since the Vf of the extra LEDs decreases too much at the low current to protect the driver from the battery voltage. (Many of the multi-mode boards have a capacitor on the output.) Flashing modes appear unsuited to this technique.

AMC7135-based driver options are discussed here, or an inexpensive multimode AMC7135 driver here.

Notes on Schottky diodes (click to expand/contract)

Schottky diodes are diodes that have a low voltage drop across them. 0.3 V is a typical figure, compared to around 0.60-0.65 V for a typical silicon diode. This makes Schottky diodes good for rectifiers and LED drivers where high efficiency is required. Drivers that use the AX2002 such as DX 3256 can easily be modified for higher output current but the Schottky diode needs to be replaced if the output current is to exceed 1 A.

Inexpensive Schottky diodes are available from these sources:


Celebrating the independent kiwi spirit of invention.

Contact:
Return to ianman HOME | Back to Aqualab Home | Return to TOP
Inventions: Super Soaker Backpack | Air Cannon | Car Interior Lighting | LED Torch

* This would have been an ad.

 When you buy stuff from Asian sellers:
Please don't buy stuff from a country in the middle of intimidating its neighbours.
spacer