Hissing sound when LED strips are white

[Nolagt]

I wired up to test out a ledglow 12pc led kit. I tapped into the stock 12v onward plug. When it gets to the white color (Highest power draw is assume) I can hear a hissing sound coming from under the cart. I can hear it to a much lesser degree on some other colors but white makes it the loudest. I don’t think it’s coming from the control box.

Normal?

[LukeL]

Reminds me of the sound DC adapters make when plugged into the wall. Sometimes, it just means they’re working. Of course if it’s really loud or if it’s getting hot, it could be drawing too much amperage.

[Nolagt]

I can’t tell where it’s coming from but it’s not too loud when your head is not next to the wheel. Just took me by surprise so wasn’t sure if it’s a normal thing. I let the lights run a bit as I figured where to start sticking them.

[Fairtax4me]

Most of those LED strips achieve different colors by pulse width modulation of the leds to vary the On vs Off time of the three different color chips. The sound you hear is probably the LED driver emitting high frequency noise as part of that process.

If the control box doesn't have cooling fins, try wrapping it with some foam tape to absorb the noise if it bothers you.