Led strip question; Help a electrically challenged modelrailroader

My suggestion is you tell us more about this 101 LED strip - part number or link to the where you bought it for example.  The most common LED strips come in multiples of 3...so that would be 99 or 102 LEDs (instead of 101).  These strips are nominally powered at 12V DC...so if that's what you have then applying 10.5V DC will light them up but will not be "bright" and they would not be hot to the touch.

And what is this 10.5V DC wall wart?  Do you have a part number or link to where you bought it? 

You've got to test the output of those walwarts. What they say and what they delivery can be totally different. Is 10.5v with your meter or what it says on it?

 Sorry to interrupt you Stan. I get a lot of my info from U! That I believe is why Stan wants to know about the walwart?

If the LED's are getting warm or hot, you are driving them with FAR TOO MUCH CURRENT!

We would need to know how this strip of lights is wired, it sounds like the LED's are all in parallel, but that's just a wild guess since we have no information.

Thanks for all the help. I measured the wall wart with my meter and the output was 18vdc! It says that but I misread the worn label as 10vdc. So I am about to find a new power source. I have an 8 vdc but the LEDs are not as bright as I like so I am looking for a 10-12 vdc power source.

Once again, Thank you

Sounds like you're talking about the 12V strips, but without seeing them...

John,

They are the roll LEDs with stickem from China. The ones you can cut at every third light.

Thanks, Malcolm

Search eBay for "12V US power supply LED strip" and you'll get thousands hits for suitable wall-warts.  Be sure to include "US" in the search so that you get the AC-plug style for US outlets.  The wall-wart sellers also have connectors, converters, and adapters so you don't have to do any soldering.  I'd say about $3 will be your total out-of-pocket but you'll need to wait a couple weeks to get the free-shipping items from Asia.  Amazon and other US suppliers have the same things but usually cost a bit more.

I use the adhesive on the back of the strips, then I use a spot of CA adhesive on either end and in the middle for passenger cars.  That insures they won't come loose.  FWIW, the "stickem" is made by 3M, seems they needed to do that to legally import them for some reason.  I've never seen any that don't have the 3M adhesive.

Malcolm, if you find a regulated 12V wall wart, you'll be all set.  As Stan says, there are tons of them from Asia if you're patient.  If you want them to be not quite as bright, you'll probably have to consider a variable supply.

I can't fault you for the extra adhesive Mark, like I said, I add a bit of insurance as well nowadays.

I absolutely agree the stickem is worthless.  I bought some thin Scotch double-sided tape at Lowes, and affix a strip to where I want the LEDS.  Then peel the protective tape off the leds and press them down.  I have had to redo several cars due to falling leds, and my long station platforms are a constant problem, since not particularly accessible.

I must have gotten lucky with the 'stickem'? I stuck some to the bottom of my layout a few months ago. Amazingly they are still stuck up there. I must admit I am a bit surprised with this too. Was expecting to have to go back under there and fasten it somehow when it started to sag. The strip was labeled as 3M on the peel off backing which I have always suspected may be false labeling, but maybe not from what GRJ says above? I don't think I have ever had any that did not say 3M either? 

I did no special prep work, just peeled off the backing and stuck them to the bare wood. It's Mianne bench work, the LEDs are stuck to the bottom of the cross braces, twisting a bit to go around the legs. It was a double LED string (600 LEDs) not the regular kind (300 LEDs). I have some short strips of the regular (300 LED) strips in some buildings that have also held up well, at least they haven't fallen off yet.

Get all my Led stuff  from Amazon.. no problems ...Should be able to get a 12vdc

2 Amp Led one for 5 bucks or so..... 2 amps will handle up to a 16 ft  strip