homemade LED's

[Malabooboo]

here's a geeky question for you guys....

I bought some blue LED's (5mm, 5 volt, 30mA, 300mcd) today at radio shack, and some 460 ohm resistors to make them work with the power supply

did I buy the right resistors? I asked the radio shack guys, but they had no idea.

anyone hook up their own LED's before? any good tutorials online?

[//alias]

ohhhhhhh, i saw a calculator for finding the rite resistor....
i dont remember where it was tho.
sorry so vauge, i erased my history recently....

//alias

[Mr. C]

This link perhaps?

http://www.bit-tech.net/article/68/

Did you know Radio Shack has 12V LED's:?:

[Wiggo]

I've spotted a few places here that sell 12V LED's in a variety of colours which negate the need for resistors. :devil win
<center>:cheers:</center>

[Mr. C]

This is what I'm using ATM;

http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F010%5F012%5F011%5F000&product%5Fid=276%2D272

They have red and green, but I don't believe they have the much sought after blue?
I reckon if that is the color you are after, the resistor might be the only option at the Shack.
Shame, as that one in the link is a breeze to install - 9/32" hole, and you are in business.

[Wiggo]

The blues can be got here so someone would have to have them there as well ya'd think. :?:
<center>:cheers:</center>

[Malabooboo]

well that calculator says I need a 270 ohm resistor (how in the world was I so off?), so I guess I'll try that first since 4 resistors are only like 97 cents.

If not, I'll try looking for some 12v blue LED's online somewhere. I like blue, heh, heh.

thanks for the help, guys.

[kane2g]

the 12v LEDs at Radioshack are regular LED w. a resistor.
SO they did the work for you, but last time i checked they were a lot more

[Malabooboo]

are there any places online that I can just order some nice and easy 12v BLUE LED's?

[Malabooboo]

hey another question: at radio shack there were a lot of 270 ohm resistors, but some were 1/4 watt, some where 1/2 watt and some were 1 watt

what does this wattage mean and which should I get for my 5 volt, 30mA LED's?

[//alias]

thats the calc, as for the wattage, i think you can work it out by puttin the volts and amps into some kind of formula....

//alias

[kane2g]

Volts * amps = Watts
if you have 5 volt, 30mA led, use a 1/2W resitor, assuming its a 240-270Ohm resistor.

[Malabooboo]

cool, thanks--I'll let you know how it goes...

[kane2g]

Here's a thought:
If you are going to be hooking up more than one LED to the same switch (or on all the time), you could actually connect 2 (5v) LED in series to the 12v source. they will be brighter too. Or you could connect 3(5v) to make them a little dimmer.
NO RESISTORS REQUIRED!!!!!!!

Same can be done w. 2v LEDs I have 5 hooked up in my car to light up the dash when i want to. Looks nice too.

BTW the best color the i've found is white! They are kinda rare, t last time i got them i didnt get many. :(
HTH

[Malabooboo]

here's the beginning of my homemade on/off switch for my cathode light (soon to be lightS)