DC Lighting

DC powered lighting can be both simple and complicated.


Simple (On/Off)

If you want simple On/Off lights, the solution is simple.  Just find LED's that match your the voltage of your lighting circuit and use traditional (non-dimming) light switch.

Complicated (Dimming)

Dimming makes things much more complicated.   The dimmer is often tied to a driver (either external or integral to the fixture) and dimmers are predominantly AC to DC converters.  It is in theory a simpler circuit, but in practice the finding the parts is much more difficult.


Drivers

Lighting drivers have several functions.  Accept line voltage (AC or DC), generate power for a control circuit, and adjust the output voltage.


AC to DC drivers won't work for DC to DC applications.  Only certain types of dimmers will work with a DC control circuit.


Dimmers

Types of dimmers include


Dimmers are ~90% efficient.  10% is lost in the conversion.

Rumors of a dual mode (AC or DC input) driver


Here is an example of the