Changing LED's?

[QUOTH]

I'm wondering if it's possible/practical to change a LED on a piece of hardware [different colour]. Monitor status, fan, hard drive etc. What you need to know so the new one matches the requirements of the old.

Q

 

[MarcVenice]

This is what I found using a quick google search: http://www.kpsec.freeuk.com/components/led.htm You'll need some resistor's and stuff. But yeah, in theory you can cut off the old and solder on the new. And I think all you need to know is the voltage it runs at.

 

[imported_wired247]

the longer terminal of an LED is usually the "+" side

keep it in mind because diodes only work "one way"

 

[corkyg]

Originally posted by: wired247
the longer terminal of an LED is usually the "+" side keep it in mind because diodes only work "one way"

Right! And the also come in different voltages. Match up with a different colour and you are good to go.

 

[DSF]

Lots of people do this with their optical mice. Google "mouse LED change" and you'll find plenty of articles.

 

[QUOTH]

Thanks guys. Loved physics in school, but I never really got electricity [apart from, in this case, anode + cathode -. I think ]

wiki LED

Color Potential Difference
Infrared 1.6 V
Red 1.8 V to 2.1 V
Orange 2.2 V
Yellow 2.4 V
Green 2.6 V
Blue 3.0 V to 3.5 V
White 3.0 V to 3.5 V
Ultraviolet 3.5 V


Does this mean you generally can't swap an infrared fro ultraviolet?


I'd ask for places to buy LED's but as I'm not in the US your shops wouldn't be that much use.


Now I just need to find tutorials, LED's and details on hardware I may want to change.

Unless there is an easy way to test the voltage of a old LED?

 

[imported_wired247]

Originally posted by: QUOTH
Thanks guys. Loved physics in school, but I never really got electricity [apart from, in this case, anode + cathode -. I think ]

wiki LED

Color Potential Difference
Infrared 1.6 V
Red 1.8 V to 2.1 V
Orange 2.2 V
Yellow 2.4 V
Green 2.6 V
Blue 3.0 V to 3.5 V
White 3.0 V to 3.5 V
Ultraviolet 3.5 V


Does this mean you generally can't swap an infrared fro ultraviolet?


I'd ask for places to buy LED's but as I'm not in the US your shops wouldn't be that much use.


Now I just need to find tutorials, LED's and details on hardware I may want to change.

Unless there is an easy way to test the voltage of a old LED?

best way would be to put a multimeter across the leads of the LED while it's still installed and operating.

usually LEDs don't have much of a problem with overvolting. but they may fail to turn on if the voltage is too low.

why would you need ultraviolet LED? you can't see it

 

[QUOTH]

Good to know.

Blacklight

*EDIT*

UK, US and EU shop