LED help

[ssc456]

hi guys,

bin seeing alot fo stuff on instrictables ? is it that ?

lol well alot involves led's and id like to learn about it im thinking of getting some leds from here http://stores.ebay.co.uk/led-hk

and get a cheap soldering iron and id also need some resistors ?

and i have no idea where to get everything is there a proper store that does it except from ebay ?

and can some1 give me n e ideas or advice ?

seeing as its kinda cheap i figure if im terrible at it or if i cant do it or if i dont like it then i aint wasted much money .

id like to spend around £20 to get started and if i enjoy / am good at it then id prob spend more

 

[Raffaz]

If your in the UK then try Maplins

 

[ssc456]

are these http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?TabID=1&ModuleNo=2047&doy=12m7

the type of leds that i just need a resistor and a standard battery ?

Actually i might get this http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?ModuleNo=45928&doy=12m7

or maybe 2 of them ?

and what about the wire ? that u use to connect em all and where do i find resistors ? and how do u use resistors in comparison with leds e.g is it like 5 leds to 1 resistor and where to they go in the circiut

thanks guys

 

[ssc456]

r these the right resistors ? http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?ModuleNo=42453&doy=12m7

is this the right cable http://www.maplin.co.uk/Search.aspx?menuno=12461&MenuName=Resistance Wire&FromMenu=y&worldid=-2&doy=12m7

lol im guessing by now your probably telling me to give it up coz i know nothing lol

but please stick with me guys

 

[muz]

Here try this to caluclate what strength resistor you need http://www.hebeiltd.com.cn/?p=zz.led.resistor.calculator. Then get a resistor nearest to the strength required the calculator gives you .

 

[mark thorpe]

www.rswww.com

great site.. we use RS at work, and they are always good with their delivery time..

you can buy kits too, not sure where from.. but i know you can get kits


or just make a simple circuit like this and have a bit of fun.. useful in the car

This circuit will flash a bright red LED (5000 mcd) as an attention getting device or fake car alarm. Component values are not critical and other transistors may be used. Flash duration is determined by R2 and C1 and is approximately 3 time constants (3*R2*C1). Brightness is controlled by R3 wich limits the LED current to about 20 mA for values listed. R1 provides bias for the transistors which should be low enough not to saturate Q2 with the capacitor disconnected. If the circuit does not oscillate, R1 may be too low or R2 may be too high. D1 allows for higher duty cycle operation and limits the reverse voltage at the base of Q1 to -0.7 V. D1 may be omitted for low voltage (3-9) and low duty cycle operation. Most parts available at Radio Shack.

Volts R1 R2 R3 C1 Approx. Flash Rate
12 10 Mohm 22 Kohm 470 ohm 0.47 uF 140 per minute
12 10 Mohm 10 Kohm 470 ohm 1 uF 60 per minute
9 6.8 Mohm 1 Kohm 390 ohm 6.8 uF 15 per minute
6 3.3 Mohm 10 Kohm 220 ohm 1 uF 80 per minute
3 1.5 Mohm 10 Kohm 51 ohm 1 uF 120 per minute
3 3.3 Mohm 47 Kohm 51 ohm 0.47 uF 140 per minute

 

[freestyler105]

Make some throwies man:
http://graffitiresearchlab.com/?page_id=6