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unknown LED specs

stormin norman

Dec 1, 2011
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Dec 1, 2011
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I have a collection of various LED units I have no specs on. What is a 'safe/typical' resistor to use with them? Power supply could be anywhere from 3 to 9v...
 

(*steve*)

¡sǝpodᴉʇuɐ ǝɥʇ ɹɐǝɥd
Moderator
Jan 21, 2010
25,510
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Jan 21, 2010
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25,510
6V and a 470 ohm resistor.

The 6V means your LEDs are safe from reverse breakdown.

the 470 ohm resistor limits the current to something that is likely safe for any LED.
 

Fish4Fun

So long, and Thanks for all the Fish!
Aug 27, 2013
481
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Aug 27, 2013
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I keep a 1.5V AA wired with a 1k resistor handy for 100% sure-fire safe polarity testing. Even on a 3.6Vf/3W LED bead there is a faint glow good enough for indicating go/no-go testing.

Fish
 

stormin norman

Dec 1, 2011
41
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Dec 1, 2011
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41
Thanks everyone for the gracious help here...appreciate it. Always know I can get help here from the brain pool....
 
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