LED wireing
#1
05-24-2002 | 11:01 PM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 95
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From: da great white north
LED wireing
#2
05-25-2002 | 09:16 AM
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 243
Likes: 0
From: Palm Beach County, FL
T_4.6_P,
No problem.
Visit the link below:
http://www.bit-tech.net/article/68/
It will calculate those values for you and even speicify the color code and wattage rating of the resistor too!
The info it asks for is:
SUPPLY VOLTAGE- use 13.5V.
DIODE FORWARD VOLTAGE &
DIODE CURRENT (ma) will be found on the back of the LED package. (Most generic LED's are rated at 2.0V and 20ma resepectively.)
If you buy a "12 volt LED", it will have the resistor installed already.
Diodes are polarized so pay attention. The shorter of the two leads or the lead near the flat section of the diode's base is the cathode or negative side. The resistor can be attached to either lead on the diode.
No worry, If you bias it properly (a.k.a. use the proper resistor) and hook it up backwards, it won't "blow up", it just won't illuminate.
Good Luck... XLT_D
.
No problem.
Visit the link below:
http://www.bit-tech.net/article/68/
It will calculate those values for you and even speicify the color code and wattage rating of the resistor too!
The info it asks for is:
SUPPLY VOLTAGE- use 13.5V.
DIODE FORWARD VOLTAGE &
DIODE CURRENT (ma) will be found on the back of the LED package. (Most generic LED's are rated at 2.0V and 20ma resepectively.)
If you buy a "12 volt LED", it will have the resistor installed already.
Diodes are polarized so pay attention. The shorter of the two leads or the lead near the flat section of the diode's base is the cathode or negative side. The resistor can be attached to either lead on the diode.
No worry, If you bias it properly (a.k.a. use the proper resistor) and hook it up backwards, it won't "blow up", it just won't illuminate.
Good Luck... XLT_D
.
Last edited by XceLenT Driver; 05-25-2002 at 09:25 AM.
#3
05-25-2002 | 10:09 AM
Senior Member
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 3,188
Likes: 3
From: Kansas side of the greater KC area
You need to use OHM's Law to figure out you voltage and curret so you can find the right resistance to take the voltage away from the LED so you don't burn it up. Ohms Law is Curret is I=V/R Voltage V=IR and Resistance is R=V/I you can use any one of them or all 3 to figure what you will need for a resistor.
#4
05-25-2002 | 10:18 AM
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 243
Likes: 0
From: Palm Beach County, FL
Correct hmustang,
But that requires a little more electrical/electronic experience to apply. Simply repeating the formulas does not help him.
The "calculator" asks for some application specs. and then applies OHM's Law for you.
Triton... mentioned he has little experience.
With this tool he can fill in the fields, run it, and can take the information it (calculator) provides to Radio Shack, etc. for help in getting what he needs.
XLT_D
.
But that requires a little more electrical/electronic experience to apply. Simply repeating the formulas does not help him.
The "calculator" asks for some application specs. and then applies OHM's Law for you.
Triton... mentioned he has little experience.
With this tool he can fill in the fields, run it, and can take the information it (calculator) provides to Radio Shack, etc. for help in getting what he needs.
XLT_D
.