how many LEDs can i hook together?

[UFO]

im an extreme novice when it comes to electronics...
i want to make what equates to battery powered rope light.
i need somewhere between 5-10 foot... and i cant find ANY ready made.
so my question to you electronics guys is this....
how many LEDs can i hook together? how is the easiest way? and where can i find a chasing circuit?

ok...so that was three questions
any help is appreciated.

 

[Capt MarVell]

Lot of unknowns in your question. How many LEDs? Voltage/current needs of your LEDs? How many batteries in your power supply/what voltage & current rating? Only one LED lit at a time in your chaser?

Jim

 

[PadawanLearner]

For that length, you may want to look into Neon Wire, I've had good service from http://www.coolneon.com/
Otherwise to answer your question about the LED's, you need to know a few things:
1) How much voltage does each LED drop (forward voltage)
2) How much voltage is your power supply
3) What is the max amperage for your LED (this is used in your WATT formula to determine resisitor size)

Also for resistors, I've had good luck with http://www.parts-express.com/home.cfm?CFID=5673942&CFTOKEN=62868459

hope this helps

Oh, also when you say chasing circuit...does that mean you're wanting the lights to do patterns or blink etc? If so...you may want to just find yourself some christmas lights and also the neon wire won't do that. It's just a continual string of light.

 

[jackdoud]

Will this have to be battery powered or will you have access to an outlet?

 

[UFO]

well, to answer the above question, yes, it HAS to be battery powered.
as for the other questions...i havent actually bought anything yet...so.... im open to suggestions.

 

[exoray]

I hate to keep adding to the questions without anyone giving answers, but how big of battery can you max out at... Size and weight limits...

Lots of things are possible if you want to invest the time and money, even a fully functional custom chaser...

LEDs are current driven, you can light as many as the power supply will support, so in the end the power supply and size/weight limits is the limiting factor...