Lighting LEDs from a PCB

[Hellfromabove]

I have a 5v current coming from my PCB and was wondering if there were a way to wire a strand of 10 LEDs to that 5v power so whenever my system is on the they will light up. Basic reason I want to do this is so I don't need batteries that I'll need to keep switching out and ---steaming pile of meadow muffin---. Hate that stuff. Also, does anyone know of a way that whenever I press the button it will light up? Thanx.

-See Ya!!!

[KillerArcades]

What specific directions are you looking for? The best I can see to answer your question is to say "Yes, you can".

The question that comes next in my mind is what sort of "LED strand" are you talking about? A pre-built true "strand" of lights that's all ready to go and just needs to be plugged in, or are you talking about various LED's of different voltage/color, etc that you need all wired in?

Either way, in the end, yes, you can connect most any LED to a 5v power supply, you just have to make sure you have a proper resistor in place so you don't blow out your lights, etc. and then as to whether or not they'll turn on when you want them to or not is just a matter of how you setup the ON/OFF switch to their power supply.

Was that what you're looking for?

[Hellfromabove]

Yeah it was, thanks. Well, I know how to series the LEDs but I was wondering what type of resistor I needed for my LEDs? The specs are:

- Forward Voltage:                   3.0 - 3.3 Volts

- Forward Current (max.):          30 mA

- Lifetime:                              100,000 Hours

- Viewing Angle:                      30 Degree

- Typical Wave Length:            X:0.31 , Y:0.32

- Luminous Intensity:               3000 mcd

All together I'd be lighting a 10 LED strand. Anyone know what type of resistor I'd need? Oh yeah, and these are 3 mm. Thanx.

-See Ya!!!

[ahofle]

According to this: http://www.luxeonstar.com/resistor-calculator.php

You need a standard 68 ohm 1/8 watt resistor.

[Hellfromabove]

I believe that's for a single LED. I was going to do a parallel  because that's what seems to work. I just used this http://metku.net/index.html?sect=view&n=1&path=mods/ledcalc/index_eng#parallel and it gave me the resistor I'd need. Thanx.

-See Ya!!!