Can I create a current measurement between the controller and driver? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: DW1961
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 26, 2020, 06:41:28 am
content: I just want to make sure I'm thinking right here. Sorry for the basic posts. I'm just learning. And, thanks for all of the help. I know this is like 1 + 1 for most of you.I want to see the totall current going to the strip.Can I get some sort of barrel adapters and connect the DMM in the circuit between the two connectors?I've see the barrel connector to wire screw type connectors, usually for CCTV. They are rated up to 5A. I'd rather have something a little more robust, but not finding them on Amazon.

author: Ian.M
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 26, 2020, 07:03:37 am
content: Solid center pin/ side contact barrel jacks are unreliable over a few amps anyway due to their very low effective contact area. 5A would be an extremely generous rating. The high current ones as found on some laptops etc. usually have a multi-finger collet style contact in the socket for the outer connector and a multi finger contact for the center pin in the plug.Get yourself a set of the screw terminal to barrel adapters - you'll end up using them time and again. Don't forget that for the standard 5.5mm OD ones, there are two center pin diameters: 2.1mm and 2.5mm. There are also two lengths - a long plug works in a short (shallow) socket but leaves several mm of the outer contact exposed, but a short plug in a long (deep) socket may not connect or may not make reliable contact.

author: DW1961
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 26, 2020, 08:37:48 pm
content: Quote from: Ian.M on July 26, 2020, 07:03:37 amIs this what you are talking about? If so, it's what I was too. Hard to find them over 5Amps though. Probably would not need anything over 5 Amps, but just saying. These are rated for 5 Amps. I'd need one female and one male.https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079RCNNCK?tag=duckduckgo-ffcm-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1

author: Ian.M
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 26, 2020, 09:09:05 pm
content: Yes, if all you want is ten identical screw terminal 5.5mm (2.1mm center pin) barrel jacks. However there are better deals on paired jacks and plugs, and you should also get some 2.5mm center pin ones as there's nothing more frustrating than finding the plug you've bought doesn't fit the socket, or the socket you've bought doesn't make reliable contact with the plug. Try offering up the shank of a 3/32" drill bit to the plug on your lights - if it goes in its 2.5mm center pin, if not, 2.1mm.

author: DW1961
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 26, 2020, 10:29:44 pm
content: Quote from: Ian.M on July 26, 2020, 09:09:05 pmI have tons of these things and other things that have those dc drivers. So I'll just get both sizes. The one in question currently even says in the manual "controller may not be compatible with other RGB strips" lol. Please, STANDARDS! (I already measured it. This one is 2.1mm ID.)However, I do like the converter option, but doesn't that just add more possible problems?

author: ozcar
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 26, 2020, 11:06:56 pm
content: Quote from: DW1961 on July 26, 2020, 10:29:44 pmBesides the different connectors, and different voltages, for RGB strips you might encounter common cathode ones. The ones you posted a picture of in another thread are the more common (so to speak) common anode ones.Then there are “pixel” strips, which are a whole other story.

author: DW1961
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2020, 02:11:23 am
content: Quote from: DW1961 on July 26, 2020, 10:29:44 pmI can only find the 5A versions. Should I be seeing something more robust?

author: Ian.M
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2020, 03:07:28 am
content: Quote from: DW1961 on July 27, 2020, 02:11:23 amNot unless the seller's lying through their teeth! i wouldn't even trust the so called 5A ones for more than 3A long term or unattended. You can overload them to a moderate degree reasonably safely if you *NEVER* hot-plug them (to avoid contact damage), keep checking their temperature and shut down before they get too hot.Better quality ones often have a yellow tip to the plug, with a two pronged center contact that actually grips the pin in the socket properly, rather than the plain hollow brass tube the ordinary ones use. I wouldn't trust yellow tip plugs much past 5A, and to deliver that you need a better quality jack as well.

author: DW1961
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2020, 04:27:23 am
content: Quote from: Ian.M on July 27, 2020, 03:07:28 amI'm not going to run them for anything more than a current check. Just get the reading, then done. Are there better options to hook up to barrel connectors for a current check?