G+_John Sullivan Posted July 13, 2017 Share Posted July 13, 2017 Bulbs don't know the difference between ac and dc Originally shared by Alex Martinez Im Trying to find a bulb that will work on this little music box but I'm seeing it's throwing out ac 12volts not dc . And I just can't seem to find any bulbs that are ac this small just dc . Just thought I ask on here maybe someone can help me find the right bulbs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Ben Reese Posted July 13, 2017 Share Posted July 13, 2017 LEDs do ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_John Sullivan Posted July 13, 2017 Author Share Posted July 13, 2017 Actually, no they don't. Or more precisely, they don't CARE. The bulb will light whether you connect it to AC or DC. I just tested an LED bulb I have here that is rated 12 v DC. I connect it to a 12 V DC source, and as you would expect, it only lights if I connect it in one direction, not the other. Then I connected it to a 12 v AC source, and it lights no matter which power wire I connect to which LED lead. When connected to 12 V AC the bulb appears slightly dimmer, probably because the 12 v AC is not a steady 12 v, like the DC source is. But that is good in the case of the person who first asked the question, as the bulb should last longer. In summary, Alex can just buy a 12 V DC LED bulb in any electronics supply store and it should work just fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Arcturus Lancaster Posted July 13, 2017 Share Posted July 13, 2017 Bulb is simple device. Will not care if AC or DC... So long as is rated same voltage probably fine. May burn out sooner but that is all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Arcturus Lancaster Posted July 13, 2017 Share Posted July 13, 2017 If really worried throw in a rectifier diodes in series. But I would not bother Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Ben Reese Posted July 13, 2017 Share Posted July 13, 2017 Arcturus Lancaster any reason a simple diod wouldn't work? Make it half brightness, but that might be OK for something like this... Just a thought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Arcturus Lancaster Posted July 13, 2017 Share Posted July 13, 2017 no reason it would not work but also not really a reason to add it. many 12v halogen home systems are just a transformer (AC) but some use a power supply with DC. bulbs are the same. filament is not going to care. better chance of flicker if using a half wave rectifier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_John Sullivan Posted July 14, 2017 Author Share Posted July 14, 2017 Any LED bulb rated at 12 volts DC will work just fine in a 12 volt AC circuit ... no diode or other additional component needed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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