LED 'Best Practices' Question

[Metatherone]

This may seem basic but as a novice I'm just working with what I've got. I am wiring a series of lights in a costume I'm building and I need them to light up less like lights and more like panels. Right now I'm running silver Duct Tape behind for reflection and red cellophane and a transparency above to refract the light. In photos it looks "ok"



But by itself the red glows but there is the obvious 'shine' from the bulb (there's probably a better term for that but I don't know what it is...)

I am still considering the EL wire option but I've got a substantial number of LEDs on hand I'd like to use if I can.

Any recommendations?

 

[topshape]

I used acrylic sheets with the LEDs projecting in from the edges. I wet sanded the surface of the acrylic with high grit (600-800) sand paper to help diffuse the light. I also used mirrored vinyl on the back of the acrylic to help reflect the light outwards. If this doesn't make any sense I'll try to get pics.

 

[Metatherone]

If you have pics it'd be a great visual to make sure I'm doing it right but it does make sense and ill definitely try that.

Where do you find acrid sheets? And are they flexible or more like plexiglass?

And thanks!

 

[frenzyboi]

Sorry for being offtopic. But since this thread is about LED, I hope you (Metatherone) don't mind!

Just one question.
Do we actually need resistors for LED?

 

[masterjedi322]

Yes, you absolutely need a resistor. The resistor limits the amount of current the LED can source. Without it, the LED will source as much current as it can from whatever power supply you're using, which will most likely cause the LED to fail (i.e. blow up).

Sean

 

[Jaded Monk]

A properly calculated resistor inline with an LED should theoretically keep a basic LED lit forever, barring physical damage or over-heating. High power LEDs introduce thermal problems which can be managed too.

If you don't want to sand the LEDs you can also just dip them in white glue or acrylic medium. If you don't mind losing some brightness, you can also disguise the LED's shape with a glob of clear hot glue.

The advice to edge light the panels will be the most effective. You can cut the profile of the LEDs you've got into the plexi and glue them in place. You will want a reflective surface behind the plexi though, even medium bond copy paper will work in a pinch.