VilladonEnt Posted March 5, 2006 Report Share Posted March 5, 2006 Hello,When connecting the LED on my rocker switch, I soldered the + pin from the DC jack to one pin on the rocker switch then from the other pin on the switch i soldered to the + pin on the core and then soldered the - pin from the dc jack to the ground on the core. (switch works fine). there is a + and - pin for the LED on the switch also. So i figured id connect these also to the dc jack, but i think that is too much voltage for the led because it lights up an amber color and smells... It should light up green. So my question is do i need some kind of resistor from the dc jack to the + pin on the led??Thanks guys.VILLADON Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthernLightX Posted March 5, 2006 Report Share Posted March 5, 2006 I believe any LED needs a resistor before connecting it to current. Look at the DOUT board, all those resistors are there for the LEDs they supply.Cheers, Alex. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pay_c Posted March 5, 2006 Report Share Posted March 5, 2006 This is how a resistor for LED is calculated (it does not matter if the resistor is before or after the LED - as long as it´s there):Resistor value = (Supply Voltage - LED diode voltage) / LED currentThe LED diode voltage is normally something about 0,7 Volts, brighter LEDs consume up to 1,3 Volt here. The LED current is normally 20 mA, low current LEDs need 2-3 mA and ultra bright ones up to appr. 50 mA or even more. The standard LEDs used among here are mostly rated @ 0,7V/20mA, for other LEDs just look up in your catalogue or in the datasheet.Greets! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jidis Posted March 5, 2006 Report Share Posted March 5, 2006 Also, keep in mind, the lower values you'll see in certain diagrams, like for the segment displays and stuff, provide a higher current for some weird percentage of the number of lights. They're actually rapidly cycling through the necessary segments and looking as if they're on because of their slow decay rates. So, I guess they'll all handle higher supplies for brief periods or something.I personally prefer to live more dangerously with my non-critical LED circuits, and am a bit less "scientific" while picking my values. I'll pretty much grab anything from a 220 up into the high 600's. I think I've even seen 150's on something, but it was probably a digit/scan deal.My sympathies are with you Villadon, but I couldn't help but laugh about that "smell" part (been there myself). 8)Hope your switches are OK!Take Care Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VilladonEnt Posted March 6, 2006 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2006 You guys are the best!Thanks for the info.I let you know when i get the resistor i need.later 8) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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