LED installation - beginner questions

[severdhed]

hey guys, in my last panel, i installed two novagem buttons from GGG and they are awesome.  I have the labeled inserts and use them for pause and exit.  so naturally when building my new panel, i want to have a light up exit button.  however GGG is sold out of these buttons.  So, i ordered a red translucent iL button, and a red button blaster LED from GGG.  the LED came with the resistor, but i'm not sure how to do this.

1. one wire on the LED is longer than the other, which one needs the resistor soldered to it?

2. when i connect these the teh 5v line on my power supply, does the side with the resistor go to the 5v or the ground?

3. is the resistor directional, or does it not matter which way it is turned when soldering it to the LED?

i only got 1 LED, so i'd rather not destroy it.(should have ordered a few more i guess)

[HaRuMaN]

1) resistor can go on either side
2) doesn't matter, resistor just restricts current flow
3) resistor is not directional, either way is fine.

[severdhed]

how about securing the LED to the button itself?  I tried using hot glue before to hold LEDs, but after they are on for a while and get a little warm, the glue would melt and they would fall out.  i guess there is always super glue

[HaRuMaN]

Did you drill a hole in the bottom of the button, and insert the LED first?

[RandyT]

how about securing the LED to the button itself?  I tried using hot glue before to hold LEDs, but after they are on for a while and get a little warm, the glue would melt and they would fall out.  i guess there is always super glue

You need to use just the correct size bit and press-fit the LED into place.  If you made  the hole too big, you might need a glue which can fill gaps.  You could also use a high temp hot melt, but honestly, I think it's the type of hot melt, or the very low temperature of the gun you are using that is allowing the glue to separate from the parts.

The long leg is the Anode (+) and the short one is the Cathode (-).

RandyT

[severdhed]

i haven't made the hole yet, any idea what size hole it needs to be?  it will be easy enough to drill a few test holes in a scrap of wood or something, but i figured you (randy) may know what size is required for your LEDs.

thats cool to hear that it doesnt really matter which way they get hooked up or which side the resistor goes on...i thought i remembered reading somewhere that it had to be on the proper leg or it wouldn't work right.

[RandyT]

i haven't made the hole yet, any idea what size hole it needs to be?  it will be easy enough to drill a few test holes in a scrap of wood or something, but i figured you (randy) may know what size is required for your LEDs.

thats cool to hear that it doesnt really matter which way they get hooked up or which side the resistor goes on...i thought i remembered reading somewhere that it had to be on the proper leg or it wouldn't work right.

It does matter, just not for the resistor.  Follow the polarity info from my last post.

Sorry, we don't drill them anymore (different mounting technique for the new style), so I don't have the bit handy.  Just measure the LED above the lower lip and make the hole about .005" smaller.  If your drill has runout in the spindle, you'll need to go smaller.  Best to test a few holes in a similar material to know for sure.

RandyT