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LED Power
BobA:
One reason to choose 12V over 5V is that there is usually more leeway to reduce the light output by reducing the voltage. Eg: 12V leds will run fine on 9V, 7V and even 5V just at reduced light output. 5V leds cannot be lowered much or the LED threashold voltage cannot be reached.
SavannahLion:
--- Quote from: BobA on November 19, 2011, 02:41:22 pm ---One reason to choose 12V over 5V is that there is usually more leeway to reduce the light output by reducing the voltage. Eg: 12V leds will run fine on 9V, 7V and even 5V just at reduced light output. 5V leds cannot be lowered much or the LED threashold voltage cannot be reached.
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That's if you're using an analog pot. It would still be a wash if you've got a bunch of LED's on there that your threshold is about as narrow as a 5v circuit.
It also wouldn't matter if you're using a control board since they control light intensity via PWM rather than analog output. Of course, if one is using such a board, then the question of whether to use 5v or 12v is already answered for you.
D_Harris:
--- Quote from: BobA on November 19, 2011, 02:41:22 pm ---One reason to choose 12V over 5V is that there is usually more leeway to reduce the light output by reducing the voltage. Eg: 12V leds will run fine on 9V, 7V and even 5V just at reduced light output. 5V leds cannot be lowered much or the LED threashold voltage cannot be reached.
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Thanks.
I hadn't considered that light output may be adjustable. I'll be looking into that as a possibility. But as it is now I'm about to pick up an LED joystick and two LED buttons for Player 1 and player 2.
I'll have to inquire about what else would be needed to adjust output, and decide from there if it is worth the trouble.
Thanks a lot.
Darren Harris
Staten Island, New York.