The Modeler's Forum

The Mainline => Modeling Wizardry => Topic started by: Jim Donovan on April 26, 2026, 07:39:08 PM

Title: Variable Voltage Mobile LED Power Supply
Post by: Jim Donovan on April 26, 2026, 07:39:08 PM
I have been working on my AP for Structures in the NMRA modeling program so I have to have the buildings judged. I light all of my buildings and in the past took a power pack with all the wiring, kinda of a mess. So I decided to create my own portable power pack. It consists of a buck converter, two wire snap connecter and a nine voit battery (with connector).  Measuring the various parts I used Tinkercad to design a box to hold all the parts in place and here is what I came up with.IMG_2746.jpeg

IMG_2747.jpeg
Title: Re: Variable Voltage Mobile LED Power Supply
Post by: deemery on April 26, 2026, 07:56:39 PM
So that buck converter includes an LED to show output voltage?  Snazzy!

(When I did the box for my Arduino powered signal and crossing controller, I glued Wago Connectors to the box for the external connections.)

dave
Title: Re: Variable Voltage Mobile LED Power Supply
Post by: Jim Donovan on April 26, 2026, 08:01:48 PM
The buck converter on costs $1.85 each from Tuni, the battery connector less then .25 and the snap connector a dime. The 3D printed resin came in at $.50 so it worked out great.

These buck convertors come with control buttons to show input and output voltage showing result on the screen, a lot of stuff in a small package.

Jim
Title: Re: Variable Voltage Mobile LED Power Supply
Post by: jbvb on April 26, 2026, 09:31:19 PM
That's a nice tool.  Not sure I'd build one of my own; I bought a smaller-than-a-shoebox lab DC power supply with more features several years ago.
Title: Re: Variable Voltage Mobile LED Power Supply
Post by: ACL1504 on May 01, 2026, 11:27:11 AM
Jim,

Nice job on the power box.

Tom
Title: Re: Variable Voltage Mobile LED Power Supply
Post by: KentuckySouthern on May 01, 2026, 12:50:31 PM
Interesting device I had never heard of before :o .  Well done ;) .

Amazon appreciates this, too. ;D