How many LEDs can I fit before it blows!?

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Northerner

Northerner

Boomus Fidelis
Ok so this is where I display my complete lack of knowledge of electronics :-D

I've got a nice Philips D8444 that I want to mod with a load of LEDs. I've got a pile of 12v LEDs and am assuming their low power consumption should allow me to wire a load into the power supply...I've got 36 LEDs 16 of which have a little controller that runs thro various strobe patterns, then 10 prewired blue ones with resistors, then 10 rgb ones also prewired with resistors.

I can run them off pp9 battery if its too much for the power supply but would prefer to wire them in...so the question is, is this safe/wise or a fire hazard?! :lol:

Thanks!

Oh, and any tips or suggestions would great! :-)
 
Superduper

Superduper

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Staff member
Well, first off, LED's vary widely in power consumption. It can range from 2mA to 30mA per LED. How do we know what kind you have. Then the controller itself consumes power. But you have no specs. Then you haven't indicated how you intend to wire the LEDs. There are countless ways in which to wire them up, in groups, or whatever. All have an effect.

You mentioned a controller. Does that mean all the LED's will be getting power through the controller? What kind of LED is the controller designed to be used with? 12v out sounds high for a controller. Controller might have build in voltage regulator.... does it? Also, while the boombox might not care if the available voltage supply ranges from 10 to 18 volts, the LED's sure will care. They are in fact, sooo voltage sensitive that a standard LED that is rated for 2.0 volts might not light until 1.6v, but could blow at 2.8 volts. To prevent this, you need to install current dropping resistors in series to protect from overcurrent. But the resistor size needs to be calculated based on......

voltage,
forward current of the diode,
whether led's are wired straight, or in series, or in parallel.
 
Northerner

Northerner

Boomus Fidelis
Ha ha, I did say I knew nothing! :lol: I love the hook them up and call a fire truck idea!! :lol: No, I like to work out what I'm doing before I do anything, thats why I'm asking :-D

OK so the LEDs with the controller are these (I have 2 sets, one in red and one in blue). They seem pretty simple in that they run off a range of voltages and in fact are connected to a 9V battery at the moment. And if the others are a problem I'll just stick with these:

ledkit.jpg

RC LED Light Kit - Strobe & Flash Effects Chaser - Speed controll - 8 RED LEDs
This system microcontroller based design PIC16F684.
8 pieces 5mm LEDs - 8 x RED (water clear, 14000mCd, 15*)
17 programs + demo program. Demo program - show all 17 program. Button - choice program. Pressing - next program. Hold for 4 secound - demo (program 0).
Speed controll. Power switch - On / Off.
Wire length: ~300mm (11.80"). Power supply DC - 6 to 14V (You can use the car battery or 9V battery).
Memory - remember last selected program. Overall dimensions PCB - 46mm (1.81") x 23mm (0.91").

The individual prewired LEDs are these (I have one set of 10 in blue static and one set of RGB flashing, which each have a tiny microchip controlling the flashing). I got these as an afterthought as I decided I wanted even more bling!

High Brightness 5mm LEDs
12V DC
Presoldered Resistor
20 mA
20 cm Wire Length
High Intensity - Low Power 0.36W
Simple to Use
Long Life and Energy Saving


Thats as much I know about them from the spec from the seller. I intended to wire the two sets straight back to the power connection but the individual ones I can wire them whichever way is best, there's plenty of room in the box and its not that big so I can do whatever is recommended.

I hope this is enough info to point me in the right direction :superduper: but if all else fails I can just run the 2 controlled sets off 9v batteries and leave it at that. Reckon that would be cool but I'd like to go super-cool if possible! :-D

Thanks for your help :yes:

Si
 
Superduper

Superduper

Moderator
Staff member
Most likely they will work. Just be forewarned to check the voltage on AC beforehand because it's not unusual to have a 12V boombox see 16-19volts with little or no load when plugged in.

Do not use Cathode tubes. The HF emmissions will render your AM radio virtually useless, and maybe even affect the FM or audio.
 
Northerner

Northerner

Boomus Fidelis
Thanks :superduper: that's good enough for me, good to get a bit of reassurance from the resident expert before I start on it :yes:

Cheers mate :-D
 
goodman

goodman

Member (SA)
Northerner, I used these assembling kits for many different projects.
Good luck with your restoration! :yes: Waiting for next steps... :-)
 
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