You may be planning on installing a lighting system and wonder whether battery-operated LED lights with remote control are a good option. Well, you are bound to benefit from three excellent features of the lights.
First, LED lights are energy efficient, easy to install, and durable. Second, the battery provides a viable alternative to power your LEDs in remote locations or during power outages.
Third, with the control, you can turn on your lights remotely while adjusting brightness and color patterns. If you are new to battery-operated LED lights with remote control, worry not.
Today’s article delves into the world of LED lights and why having battery and remote control compatibility is a plus. Read on.
Why Battery-Operated LED Lights Are the Perfect Solution
(An LED strip light beside a remote control)
Battery-operated LED lights are the perfect solution for a number of reasons. Foremost, they are easily portable due to their wireless design.
In other words, you don’t have to run cables to the utility AC supply sockets.
Consequently, they are versatile, meaning you can install them indoors and outdoors.
Second, the LED lights are easy to install as they require only the lights and a battery.
Sometimes, like drawing power from the grid, you may have to connect a converter between the supply and your lights.
Third, battery-operated LED lights are flexible and can be used in areas without electricity access.
Such include decorating outdoor spaces and lighting up your home during power outages.
Fourth, LEDs are energy efficient, converting a significant fraction of the power to light energy.
In comparison, traditional light sources convert less than 20 percent of power to light energy while losing the rest as heat.
When the battery is your only power source, you’re better of installing LEDs than any other lighting system.
Fifth, Battery-operated LED lights are safe for domestic and industrial use. Unlike AC LED lights, they generally require little voltage, with most strips 12V or 24V.
In comparison, the AC LEDs use a higher 120V AC supply that can electrocute you upon contact.
Additionally, battery-operated LED lights generate little heat, making heat management a relatively easy activity.
Moreover, you can install the LEDs in areas with flammable material, as their heat is insufficient to trigger an explosion.
Applications of Battery-Operated LED Lights With Remote Control
(Illuminating a bridge with LED lights)
A significant advantage of battery-operated LED lights with remote control is that you can turn them on and off remotely.
In other words, you don’t have to come into contact with the lights to control them.
Therefore, you can install the lights in remote locations of your home or office. Here are the applications of battery-operated LED lights with remote control.
- Home decoration whereby you use the remote to adjust lighting effects, brightness, and color.
- Outdoor Lighting
- Emergency lighting, such as during power outages
- Wardrobe and cabinet lighting
- Display and accent lighting to accentuate specific architectural features and artwork.
- Automotive lighting
- Do-It-Yourself (DIY) projects
- Nightlights and safety lighting
Tips for Extending Battery Life and Maximizing Performance
(Testing a lead-acid battery using a multimeter)
You can do several things to extend your battery life without compromising on the performance of your LEDs.
Generally, most people would reduce their light’s performance, but that’s not always the case.
Here, we are giving you the best ways to improve battery life while using it to power your LEDs.
Tighten Loose Battery Terminals
Battery terminals will always loosen over time or due to jolts during transportation. A problem arises when they are loose enough that insufficient power reaches your LEDs.
Moreover, loose cables can come into contact with each other short-circuiting the whole setup.
Short circuits happen when positive and negative cables touch, creating a low-resistance path. Such an occurrence is dangerous as it may lead to fire outbreaks.
Choose the Right Battery
A precautionary step to ensure your battery lasts long is to buy one of high quality. It’s especially true when you use your battery for heavy-duty applications such as industrial lighting.
Therefore, consider the size of the battery and its performance specifications to see whether it matches the power requirements of your LED lights.
Avoid Extreme Temperatures
(Replacing a dead battery during a winter season)
A battery’s capacity or its amp-hours reduces as the temperature gets lower and increases as the temperature goes up.
However, the latter is dangerous as the high temperatures sacrifice a battery’s life for a better capacity.
The opposite is also true for batteries at low temperatures. For instance, a battery’s life increases roughly 60 percent at -22 degrees Fahrenheit.
At the same time, it slashes its capacity by nearly 50 percent.
Do Regular Battery Maintenance
Regular battery maintenance includes maintaining the proper electrolyte level and checking the connections.
First, ensure the battery terminals are free from dirt and other debris that may accumulate around them, causing corrosion.
To clean them, use a wire brush and a neutralizer spray to scrub off all dirt.
Inspect Your Battery’s Charge Levels
When storing your LED light batteries, ensure they are not fully charged or discharged. The reason is that storing a battery while flat will sink it into a state of deep discharge.
In such a state, it can no longer hold a charge and is dysfunctional. Conversely, storing it with a full charge for a long time shortens its lifespan.
FAQs
Are battery-Operated LED lights with remote control suitable for outdoor use?
What makes a battery suitable for outdoor use is its weather resistance, not its control method.
Therefore, if the battery-operated LED lights have sufficient water and dust resistance, you can comfortably use them outdoors.
Additionally, some LED strip lights have high Ingress Protection ratings meaning you can submerge them in water for long periods.
When you buy LED lights for outdoor use that you can control with a remote, ensure the signal is strong.
Some remote controls have a weak signal that may not be sufficient to trigger a response from your LEDs from a distance.
Additionally, opt for remotes that don’t require a line-of-sight to operate. For example, infrared signals cannot go through obstacles such as walls.
How do I connect my LED light remote to my phone?
The first thing to consider before connecting your LED light remote to your phone is its compatibility.
Remember, you can only connect LED lights with mobile app control feature compatibility to your phone.
If compatible, the next stage is downloading the app for your LED from your phone’s app store, like Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
However, please consult the product documentation tag to check the application’s name, as most manufacturers list it.
Afterward, install the app, and enable Bluetooth (or any other compatible communication channel).
Pair the remote following the manufacturer’s instructions, connect your lights, and test them.
What kind of battery does a LED light remote take?
Most LED light remote controls use the CR2025 and CR2032 coin cell batteries. Both batteries deliver a voltage of 3V, have 20mm diameters, and have remarkable lifespans.
Their main differences are that the CR2025 is 2.5mm thick, whereas the CR2032 is 3.2mm thick.
Conclusion
Battery-operated LED lights with remote control are advantageous, especially during power outages.
First, LEDs are energy efficient and won’t drain your battery as fast as incandescent and fluorescent lights.
Furthermore, a remote control makes the installation more effortless as you don’t need to route control cables toward a switch.
In other words, all you need besides your LED lights are remote control, and you are good to illuminate your space.