How to hook up a led to a 12v power source

[Chrishuff1]

What resistor do I need and where do I get em?

 

[loup garou]

Depends on the LED and Radio Shack if you want it immediately.

 

[amoeba]

don't burn up led with too much current. most led should come with some sort of spec.

 

[Heisenberg]

And make sure you hook up the resistor and LED in series.

 

[angrymaxx]

Find the forward voltageof the LED and the LED current and calculate the amount of resistance you need. For example, a 3.2V LED that uses .020 A, you would need a (12V-3.2V)/.020A = 440 ohm resistor in series with the LED. And you can find resistors at rat (radio) shack.

 

[Shockwave]

Text

 

[3point14]

use a few more leds in parrallel
brighter=better

 

[Chrishuff1]

Thanks, I think I understand now.

 

[Spoooon]

We used to drill holes in our name tags at my old company to stick LEDs in them and used mobo batteries to power them. We were such nerds. I think one of mine had 8 or so LEDs with a pot to adjust the brightness. 😀