Wiring single LEDs and how to connect them to LED Wiz

[cyapps]

I am starting to wire my buttons for my control panel but I want to make sure how to wire the Button Blaster LEDs that I got. I will be controlling them via a LED Wiz. I have 16 Button Blaster LEDs and one RGB on an electric ice trackball.

I assume that I won't need an external power source for the LED Wiz as I figured that 19 leds x 20ma = 380ma, which is under the 500ma limit on usb.

If that is correct I also wanted some details on the best way to wire the leds. I have looked around and can't seem to find any good pictures or walk throughs on peoples single led wiring jobs or I just simply missed them. If so point me to the threads.

Either way is the diagram attached the correct/best steps to add lengths of wire to single leds and am I correct on how to "daisy chain" the + common anodes of the leds together. or do I need to run two long wires from each led to the led wiz?

I knew this was going to be a lot of soldering and wiring but I needed to save the money and I got plenty of "free" time at the moment. Not to mention I get some quality time with my soldering iron.

I hope all this is clear I am hours past sleep time... Also I hope Randy doesn't mind me using his led illustration images.

Thanks

[arzoo]

You are correct - daisy chain the common anodes together and run them to the LED-Wiz 5v. Here's a pic of a test rig I wired up - these are all RGBs, but the wiring would be the same for standard LEDs.

[cyapps]

Okay, thanks.

A few questions on people's opinions:
1. Would it be better to solder the resistors directly to the LED lead or would I be better off placing it on the LED Wiz side of the wire? I figure the thin resistor leads would be a weak point, but I guess the shrink tubing would help that.

2. Should I leave the LED leads intact and just solder to the ends or does it really matter?

3. How far should I stay away from the actual LED and the actual resistor to avoid any damage from heat when soldering?

4. Do you or anyone else happen to know a good priced source for the shrink tubing I will need, I am not sure of the sizing but I have seen 1/32" and I thought that sounded about right. I will like to get a roll of it as I have some other LED projects I want to mess around with.


As I said I am using Button Blaster LEDs along with Electric ICE pushbuttons. There is very little room to "snake" the leads from the press fitted LEDs lead wires out from under the micro switch, I suppose no one has had any issues with the wires getting in the way of anything. I am snaking them out the opposite side of the actual red switch as to avoid any interruption of button presses.

If anyone has any close ups of thier Electric ICE push buttons with everything assembled such as the LED press fitted and wired and the microswitch installed. I would greatly appreciate it! Otherwise I will just do it how I do it and stop worrying about every little thing:).

[cyapps]

Can anyone help me with the questions I asked above?

[arzoo]

Okay, thanks.

A few questions on people's opinions:
1. Would it be better to solder the resistors directly to the LED lead or would I be better off placing it on the LED Wiz side of the wire? I figure the thin resistor leads would be a weak point, but I guess the shrink tubing would help that.

Makes no difference - whatever is easier for you. Don't worry about the resistor leads breaking, they won't.

2. Should I leave the LED leads intact and just solder to the ends or does it really matter?

That depends on how much room you have on the button side, but I would leave them at full length.

3. How far should I stay away from the actual LED and the actual resistor to avoid any damage from heat when soldering?

If you're using the proper soldering iron (not a high heat gun), you can solder pretty close without any damage.

4. Do you or anyone else happen to know a good priced source for the shrink tubing I will need, I am not sure of the sizing but I have seen 1/32" and I thought that sounded about right. I will like to get a roll of it as I have some other LED projects I want to mess around with.

Shrink tubing may look nice, but it's really overkill. Plain old electrical tape will work just fine. If you go with the shrink wrap, 1/32 is good.

As I said I am using Button Blaster LEDs along with Electric ICE pushbuttons. There is very little room to "snake" the leads from the press fitted LEDs lead wires out from under the micro switch, I suppose no one has had any issues with the wires getting in the way of anything. I am snaking them out the opposite side of the actual red switch as to avoid any interruption of button presses.

If anyone has any close ups of thier Electric ICE push buttons with everything assembled such as the LED press fitted and wired and the microswitch installed. I would greatly appreciate it! Otherwise I will just do it how I do it and stop worrying about every little thing:).

Can't help you here.

[Franco B]

1. As Arzoo said you can pretty much place it where you want, it doesn't matter.

2. I have always generally cut mine down to about 1/2" just to keep things neat. For my cocktail project I have bought some plain RGB boards to mount my own blue LEDs and resistors in to keep things super neat. That may be something you want to consider for your project.

3. As Arzoo said it shouldn't really be an issue.

4. I would definitely recommend using heat shrink tubing. Its much easier to apply than electrical tape and keeps things nice and neat. It can only help to improve the strength of the joint too (although it shouldn't really be an issue if you have a strong joint in the first place). As for the size of heat shrink tubing you want keep in mind that the tubing shrinks to about 50% of its original diameter so you want to choose a diameter that will just fit over the resistor and LED leg etc. I can't remember if the heat shrink I use is 2.5mm or 3.5mm for LEDs & resistors, Ill try to find out for you. I buy mine from Maplins in the UK but I guess that is of no use to you as I imagine you are Stateside.

[cyapps]

Shrink tubing may look nice, but it's really overkill. Plain old electrical tape will work just fine. If you go with the shrink wrap, 1/32 is good.

Wouldn't that be to small to fit over the led lead and resistor or is that the size after shrinkage?

4. I would definitely recommend using heat shrink tubing. Its much easier to apply than electrical tape and keeps things nice and neat. It can only help to improve the strength of the joint too (although it shouldn't really be an issue if you have a strong joint in the first place). As for the size of heat shrink tubing you want keep in mind that the tubing shrinks to about 50% of its original diameter so you want to choose a diameter that will just fit over the resistor and LED leg etc. I can't remember if the heat shrink I use is 2.5mm or 3.5mm for LEDs & resistors, Ill try to find out for you. I buy mine from Maplins in the UK but I guess that is of no use to you as I imagine you are Stateside.

Yes, I am from the U.S. I was just going to order a roll off of ebay as the prices seem cheaper than getting an assortment case whcih is around $13. I can get 100ft of 1/16" for $15 shipped or 100ft of 1/8" for $17 shipped, I know I don't need that much at the moment but why not have some extra. I believe 2.5mm is around 3/32" and 3.5mm is around 1/8".

[arzoo]

Wouldn't that be to small to fit over the led lead and resistor or is that the size after shrinkage?

You're right, I wasn't thinking about the shrink wrap over the resister (technically, you don't need to cover the resistor - it's non conductive). The specified size is before shrinkage.