Using led driver as generic power supply

[skmdmasud]

Hi..
recently i bought some led driver which can give output of 5w and 3w. The drivers are very cheap and incredible small in size. I tested the 3w driver it gives a max of 900mA at 12V . So i was wondering why not use this drives instead of transformers. Transformers requires rectifiers,caps and are much big in size. Is it a good idea?

 

[Nigel Goodwin]

Hi..
recently i bought some led driver which can give output of 5w and 3w. The drivers are very cheap and incredible small in size. I tested the 3w driver it gives a max of 900mA at 12V . So i was wondering why not use this drives instead of transformers. Transformers requires rectifiers,caps and are much big in size. Is it a good idea?

Most probably a VERY poor idea, it's liable to be a current output rather than a voltage one, and unlikely to have very safe isolation from the mains.

 

[skmdmasud]

Most probably a VERY poor idea, it's liable to be a current output rather than a voltage one, and unlikely to have very safe isolation from the mains.

what if i put a cap and voltage regulator, will that work. How can i check if its main isolated or not? the output measured 12V not 220

 

[Nigel Goodwin]

what if i put a cap and voltage regulator, will that work. How can i check if its main isolated or not? the output measured 12V not 220

It's probably 'isolated', but probably not very safely, as it's a tiny (and cheap)transformer - and doesn't need great safety for it's intended purpose.

It would be best to draw it's circuit out, and see if it's regulated in any way - but you're probably not gaining anything if you're going to add smoothing and regulation on the output.