12v to 24v for LEDs

[digital_gods]

My goal is to be able to use cheap computer power supplies to light up my LEDs. Issue I'm having is that I want 24v so I can have a 7 led strings instead of 3 led strings from 12v. I have found plans for doubling the voltage but I would like for someone with knowledge to look them over. http://users.silenceisdefeat.net/~lgtngstk/Sites/Circuits/12_to_24v_DC_Step_Up_Inverter/12_to_24v_DC_Step_Up_Inverter.html

 

[Mike M]

I would think it would be cheaper and more reliable to just buy a 24v power supply. It has been a while since I have done any electronics designs and construction work but it looks like you need to source out some transistors with fairly well matched gain and that will handle whatever current needs might be. Have you sourced out the price of the parts vs. just buying a 24v supply?

If you end up building this and decide to use transistors in a TO-3 package I probably have leftover heatsinks and insulators you could use.

 

[shse666]

Meanwell has 24V power supplies that start around $54.00 Thats about the price of a quality computer ATX power supply at double of the wattage so it all seems like a wash to me.
The direct AC to 24V is going to be more efficient and use less electricity over the life of the power supply so a secondary DC to DC is going to cost more.

 

[Ben]

If you look on ebay you can get the meanwell 24v power supplies for around $30 or less.

 

[DFW]

I believe that RapidLEDs has 48 volt non dimmable Meanwell power supply/drivers for $16. Run 13 Crees, or 15 Luxeons, I think.

David