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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:
--- Quote from: cyapps on January 01, 2009, 07:23:40 pm ---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.
--- End quote ---
Makes no difference - whatever is easier for you. Don't worry about the resistor leads breaking, they won't.
--- Quote ---2. Should I leave the LED leads intact and just solder to the ends or does it really matter?
--- End quote ---
That depends on how much room you have on the button side, but I would leave them at full length.
--- Quote ---3. How far should I stay away from the actual LED and the actual resistor to avoid any damage from heat when soldering?
--- End quote ---
If you're using the proper soldering iron (not a high heat gun), you can solder pretty close without any damage.
--- Quote ---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.
--- End quote ---
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.
--- Quote ---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:).
--- End quote ---
Can't help you here.
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