Newb LED question

[RadioactiveWave]

Hi All,

Whilst I've done plenty of polymer clay work and textiles; I have come across the need to make things using LED's.

Specifically; in this case; a single LED light run by a tiny battery.

I searched the forum but couldn't find any specific advice regarding WHAT exactly I will need for that kind of set up, and google of course is useless!

If anyone could see their way to giving me some advice on what specific parts I would need for a steady "on", single LED setup that takes up minimal space, I would greatly appreciate that advice. The simpler the setup, the better; as I've never done this before and don't want to over commit on complexity.

Thanks everyone!

Kelly:ninja

 

[Gigatron]

For minimal space, you'll need a button-cell battery holder, a button cell battery, your LED and a resistor (the size will be determined by the specs of the LED and the voltage of the battery). Finally, you'll need a simple slide on-off switch, or SPST pushbutton, if you want to be fancy.

Once you have your Amps and your Volts, just use ohm's law to calcualte the needed resistance.

-Fred

 

[RadioactiveWave]

For minimal space, you'll need a button-cell battery holder, a button cell battery, your LED and a resistor (the size will be determined by the specs of the LED and the voltage of the battery). Finally, you'll need a simple slide on-off switch, or SPST pushbutton, if you want to be fancy.

Once you have your Amps and your Volts, just use ohm's law to calcualte the needed resistance.

-Fred

Thankyou Fred! That makes excellent sense. Hopefully I'll have some pictures to share of the outcome of this in a few weeks time along with specs
In the mean time though; I must curb my enthusiasm until I know it works ;D

Kelly:ninja

 

[Basherthrasher]

What is the rating of the LED you're using? If it's 26 mA, use a 33 ohm resistor,and a 2.4 volt watch battery. All you have to do is, remove the battery when you want to turn it off. This resistance keeps the voltage low,but the LED will be bright enough to be seen as it should. Best of all - you don't need to use a circuit board. I just made my own battery box,and used brass strips that I cut to shape with holes drilled for electrical contacts.

I soldered the leads of the LED to the wires,and I left a length of wire between the LED,and the resistor,as it gets warm,it'll shorten the life of the LED. I soldered the other ends of the wire to the brass strips. Make sure that you keep the tabs for the battery loose enough to remove the battery by hand. I hope this will be the answer you're looking for.

 

[feek61]

It's really easy to do. Here are a few links that will be helpful. Pick-out which LED you want to use then use the wizard here to give you the correct resistor:
http://led.linear1.org/led.wiz

Here is a great source for LEDs and all of the specs are online (they have great service too):http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/store/index.cgi

Let me know if I can help.

 

[RadioactiveWave]

It's really easy to do. Here are a few links that will be helpful. Pick-out which LED you want to use then use the wizard here to give you the correct resistor:
http://led.linear1.org/led.wiz

Here is a great source for LEDs and all of the specs are online (they have great service too):http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/store/index.cgi

Let me know if I can help.

Actually; those links are great! Very helpful; takes the maths out of what I need to do. I don't want to rely on the storeperson to know wtf is going on (since in all likely hood; they won't have a clue what I want!)
Thanks very much! <3

 

[jasonw2112]

Actually; those links are great! Very helpful; takes the maths out of what I need to do. I don't want to rely on the storeperson to know wtf is going on (since in all likely hood; they won't have a clue what I want!)
Thanks very much! <3

You could also try Electronics Goldmine,and All Ellectronics, for a good selection of Led's

 

[Basherthrasher]

OK. I wasn't too detailed in my last description. I got my information from the LED wizard site,but I can never remember the correct URL for it! Here's another site I hope you'll find useful: www.superbrightleds.com These are a lot cheaper than you can buy anywhere - even feeblebay! I know,I've bought from radiosnatch,and all the other lame-o places you can think of,but this one is by far the best selection with the cheapest prices.

 

[RadioactiveWave]

OK. I wasn't too detailed in my last description. I got my information from the LED wizard site,but I can never remember the correct URL for it! Here's another site I hope you'll find useful: www.superbrightleds.com These are a lot cheaper than you can buy anywhere - even feeblebay! I know,I've bought from radiosnatch,and all the other lame-o places you can think of,but this one is by far the best selection with the cheapest prices.

Thanks for the link! Fortunately I can visit a store here called Dick Smiths; they sell LED's and components for very comparable prices to superbright's. Because its not Australian I probably won't buy from there as I'd have to wait till they arrived to use them XD
Dickies have LED's from about 60c AUD though; so I'm set. I'm starting a new job this week so the project will be one of the first things I do with my pay ;D

Thanks everyone for the awesome help though; I am totally on board now with what I need to do and even drew myself a diagram

 

[b26354]

You may find the staff at Jaycar http://jaycar.com.au/stores.asphttp://jaycar.com.au/ a bit more knowledgeable that the staff at Dick Smiths and they'll have a wider selection of battery holders, switches and other misc components.

Thanks for the link! Fortunately I can visit a store here called Dick Smiths; they sell LED's and components for very comparable prices to superbright's. Because its not Australian I probably won't buy from there as I'd have to wait till they arrived to use them XD
Dickies have LED's from about 60c AUD though; so I'm set. I'm starting a new job this week so the project will be one of the first things I do with my pay ;D

Thanks everyone for the awesome help though; I am totally on board now with what I need to do and even drew myself a diagram