Rainproof Power Supply

First, calculate the total wattage of all your LED modules or strips. Then, add a 20% buffer for safety and longevity — so for a 100W load, get at least a 120W power supply. 

That's a common point of confusion, especially on our higher-power Mean Well models. For the same DC output, pulling from a 110V AC source requires double the input current compared to a 220V source. To keep that input current within the safe limits of the internal components, the power supply's total output capacity is de-rated. It's a built-in safety feature, not a defect.

Mount it in a location that's sheltered from direct rain, snow, and sun. Under an awning, inside a sign enclosure, or on a covered porch are all good spots. The key is to protect it from direct water ingress while ensuring it has adequate ventilation, especially for the fan-cooled models. Never install it in a small, completely sealed box where heat can't escape.

It comes down to cost and heat management for high-wattage projects. Rainproof power supplies, especially the fan-cooled ones, are more cost-effective and can dissipate heat better than a completely sealed unit. For a large, sheltered installation like channel letters on a building facade, rainproof is ideal. For ground-level landscape lighting that gets hit by sprinklers, you'd need one of our DC24V waterproof power supply models.

Yes, this is a great application for a rainproof LED power supply. The enclosure is specifically designed to protect the internal electronics from the high humidity, condensation, and ambient moisture you'd find in a greenhouse or similar environment. Just be sure to mount it where it won't get directly sprayed with water.

It's a straightforward process, but getting it wrong is a common mistake. You connect your AC line, neutral, and ground wires to the input terminals, and the positive and negative wires from your LED strips to the corresponding V+ and V- DC output terminals. For a detailed walkthrough, check out our guide on how to connect LED strips to a power supply.