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Discussion in 'General Electronics Discussion' started by klain421, Dec 29, 2012.

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  1. Dec 29, 2012 #1
    klain421

    klain421

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    Dec 29, 2012
    Hello,

    I am completely new to electronics and I'm trying to re-create a simple iron man arc reactor for new years eve.

    I have bought 12 blue super bright LED's which annoyingly I found out need 5v and are 30mA

    http://www.maplin.co.uk/3mm-high-bright-blue-leds-35734

    I plan on powering them with a PP3 9v battery and wiring them in series and then using a transistor to make sure I don't blow the LED's.

    My question is which transistor do I need to use?
     
  2. Dec 29, 2012 #2
    davenn

    davenn Moderator

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    Sep 5, 2009
    hi there klain :)
    welcome to the forums

    you need a resistor to do current limiting not a transistor

    have a look here for info on powering LED's

    cheers
    Dave
     
  3. Dec 29, 2012 #3
    klain421

    klain421

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    Dec 29, 2012
    Hello,

    Thanks for the quick reply :)

    I had a look through that earlier and couldn't understand a word of it ha ha.

    Klain
     
  4. Dec 29, 2012 #4
    klain421

    klain421

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    Dec 29, 2012
    I think I have figure it out now...

    R = (V1 - V2) / I

    where:
    V1 = power supply voltage
    V2 = LED voltage
    I = LED current

    So for me I need x12, 133ohm resistors and then need to solder one of those to the positive anode of each led and wire in series, does that sound right?
     
  5. Dec 29, 2012 #5
    (*steve*)

    (*steve*) ¡sǝpodᴉʇuɐ ǝɥʇ ɹɐǝɥd Moderator

    25,496
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    Jan 21, 2010
    That will work. However you can probably put 2 LEDs in series and use a smaller resistor (and fewer of them)

    In that case double V2 (since it is now for 2 LEDs) and you'll get a resistor you need to place in series with *two* LEDs.

    This will mean you only need 6 resistors and also that your circuit will consume half the power.

    Normally you'd be looking at VF (V2) being around 3.4V, not 5V, and typically you run these LEDs at 20mA (I can't see specs that say otherwise)
     
  6. Dec 29, 2012 #6
    klain421

    klain421

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    Dec 29, 2012
    I used a quick calc web app to double check that I calculated it right and it gave me this image:

    https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/574761_10151306667412200_1903708876_n.jpg

    On my original post I put a link to the store I bought the LED's from and it says 5v, 30mA I didn't think it would require that high of a voltage either to be honest, but I put it down to inexperience.
     
  7. Dec 29, 2012 #7
    CDRIVE

    CDRIVE Hauling 10' pipe on a Trek Shift3

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    May 8, 2012
    That 5V spec @ Maplin is "Reverse Voltage". They spec the forward voltage as Blue Diffused= 4.5V, Blue Clear = 4V. These voltages seem high to me though. As Steve said 3.4V seems more realistic.

    Chris
     
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