Model Boat Mayhem

Please login or register.

Login with username, password and session length.
Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: Wiring LEDs  (Read 2535 times)

longshanks

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 691
Wiring LEDs
« on: October 31, 2013, 11:22:47 am »

Hi Guys,
Disappearing up my own posterior and need some help from someone who understands the dark arts !!
 
The story so far.... I have a plastic kit which I wish to fit lights inside.
I'm thinking  LEDs as there is little or no heat (?) and I need 6 wired in parallel (?).
My understanding is that they are directional or can they produce general light for a compartment.
The battery compartment needs to be concealed so I'm thinking 4/6 x 1.5 volt alkaline batteries if possible.
 
Now the big ask ...
Could someone please tell me what white LEDs (preferably 3/5mm)
Do I need a resistor(s) of what value?
Where would you recommend getting the above plus push switch?
Can you please do a basic wiring diagram for me?
 
I can managed to solder!
Thanks in advance for any assistance I may receive
 
Cheers longshanks
Logged

barriew

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 2,111
  • Location: Thaxted, Essex
Re: Wiring LEDs
« Reply #1 on: October 31, 2013, 11:29:26 am »

Check out Component Shop web site. They have a leaflet on wiring LEDs and can supply together with resistors


Barrie
Logged

HawkEye

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 455
  • Location: North Kent
Re: Wiring LEDs
« Reply #2 on: October 31, 2013, 12:16:04 pm »


Here's a good configuration tool that some may find useful -

LED series/parallel array wizardhttp://led.linear1.org/led.wiz

Personally I get my led's from ebay  :-))

HawkEye

Logged
I've never been so sure of something I wasn't sure of...

plug

  • Guest
Re: Wiring LEDs
« Reply #3 on: October 31, 2013, 12:16:30 pm »

I get mine from here http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Handsignalman-LEDs?_trksid=p2047675.l2563
they're supplied with resistors, i've just tried one with it's resistor on a 6v 4.5ah sealed battery and it works ok on that voltage.

i have no association with the ebay shop in the link, just one of his customers
regards Jack.
Logged

NFMike

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 1,054
  • Location: Hythe, Hants, UK
    • Plague Marine Services
Re: Wiring LEDs
« Reply #4 on: October 31, 2013, 12:35:15 pm »

My understanding is that they are directional or can they produce general light for a compartment.


Common LEDs are fairly directional, typically about 90° spread. If you are modelling a ceiling lamp with a solid shade this is about right, but if you want a more general light you will probably need two or more with some care on where they are placed and direction they point (and colour of the bulkheads).


Just be careful with which 'white' you get - the cheaper common ones tend to be quite blue which can look horrible. If you look around you will find that (like domestic fluorescent lamps) white LEDs are available in several shades and for cabin lights on a modernish boat you probably want a warm white. For fluorescent lights in a passage a cold white might do, and to simulate oil lamp light on an older boat a golden white is nice (the latter are used by model railroaders for headlights on old steam engines).

Skimmer Fan

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 302
  • Location: Wigan
Re: Wiring LEDs
« Reply #5 on: October 31, 2013, 12:50:24 pm »

If you use the ultra bright LEDs you can get a spread of light rather than having a beam by painting the end of the lens white then painting it black this refects the light out of the side of the LED for internal lights.
You might find this interesting
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VM3dmutMWw
Logged
Regards
Skimmer Fan

Rottweiler

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 2,160
  • Location: Carharrack Cornwall
Re: Wiring LEDs
« Reply #6 on: October 31, 2013, 12:55:00 pm »

Hi Kev
If you get in touch with the Component Shop on 08432 898528,or www.component-shop.co.uk
You can get all that you need. They will at a small extra cost,sell you leds with the resistors pre soldered.
Depending on what your use is,you may find the Ultrabrights best for showing up in daytime.
Just tell Iain or Natasha what you need  eg operating voltage,and how you plan to wire them etc,and the type of switch you need and they will sort you out no problem.
I use them all the time, and not only are their prices good, you get them very quickly!
All the best mate!
Mick f
Logged

Stan

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 3,465
  • Location: West Yorks
Re: Wiring LEDs
« Reply #7 on: October 31, 2013, 02:10:56 pm »

HI Longshanks. Hope our conversation helped with this matter. I will try to send you some more information  later this evening.
 
Stan. :-)) :-)) :-)) :-)) :(( {:-{ {:-{ 
Logged

longshanks

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 691
Re: Wiring LEDs
« Reply #8 on: October 31, 2013, 04:12:06 pm »

Thanks guys for all your help.
 
With your information and a call to component shop job sorted
 
Many thanks
 
longshanks
 
Logged

RAAArtyGunner

  • Full Mayhemer
  • *****
  • Offline Offline
  • Posts: 3,816
  • Location: Brisbane, Australia
Re: Wiring LEDs
« Reply #9 on: October 31, 2013, 08:49:15 pm »

If you use the ultra bright LEDs you can get a spread of light rather than having a beam by painting the end of the lens white then painting it black this refects the light out of the side of the LED for internal lights.
You might find this interesting
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VM3dmutMWw

Yes, very interesting and food for thought  :-)) :-)) :-))
Logged
Gunna build those other boats one day.
Pages: [1]   Go Up
 

Page created in 0.116 seconds with 21 queries.