LEDs

[wxrkny]

I just bought some blue LEDs off Ebay, should be here soon.

Luminous Intensity: 4000mcd@20mA
DC Forward Current: 30mA Max
DC Forward Voltage: 2.8-3.8V
Wavelength: 465-470nm
Reverse Voltage: 5V

I think I got a pretty good deal 50 LEDs for $8.50 shipped. But I'm not really sure how much these things cost.

Anyway, I was wondering how I should set these things up in terms of wiring. My though was to take this line from my powersupply which I tested with a multimeter and it came out as 3.35V. Run the LEDs in parallel. With this setup will I need a resistor? I dont think I would because they are rated up to 3.8V and I'm giving them 3.35.

I also bought some 22gauge wire to wire the LEDs but I was having trouble stripping the wire in the middle of the wire. I can strip it with no problem on the ends with my wire stripper but that doesnt work in the middle. I need to strip it in the middle for every LED thats put in because I am wiring them in parallel. Any suggestions on how to do this. The coating on the wire is 1/64 inch PVC if that helps.

 

[Jeff7]

17 cents each for blue LED's is a pretty good buy actually. The high-brightness LED's usually go for nearly a dollar each.
Jumbo blue LED for a very good price.
Small blue LED, also a dollar.

 

[Mark R]

That's a very good price - mainly because you are buying them direct from the factory in China or Hong Kong. Nearly bought some myself, but didn't have anything that needed them at the time.

At retail prices, similar devices are $1-2 each.