DIY LED brake lights

[InitialD]

U will need a resistor also! Check out this url http://www.kpsec.freeuk.com/components/led.htm#calculate

 

[ksgoh]

that's right.....every PCB have to put in resistor.....thanks for the link, InitialD

 

[L9Turbo]

Wow!! Very informative! Thanks bro.. Will DIY my lights again. Hehehe.. But this time with less LEDs. Broke liao. :P

 

[JasperSSP]

There are 12v LEDs in the market. It is used in industrial machines. but I dunno whether you can get it from the electronic shop or not.

 

[L9Turbo]

HHmmm... maybe very hard to find them. And cost.. dunno how much. But less hassel... no need put resistors rite? Just straight connect?

 

[AE82GT]

Mind to share some pics after done it.... :P

 

[ksgoh]

really got 12V LED ar?? have to ask liao....maybe can get it free from machine vendor......:D

 

[ctan13]

Refer to this link for a sample schematic. Appreciate any pics from anyone here who has done it first.

http://www.web-ee.com/Schematics/Brakes/brakes.htm

 

[ksgoh]

thanks ctan13.....

 

[khguan]

yes... there are 12v LEDs.. but rare.. u can find them in electronic stores...

got in big size somemore... 10mm diameter... but more expensive.. duno de price...

 

[L9Turbo]

I'll go get the 12v LEDs this week. But how to connect? Just in series? or parrell? No need resistors then?

 

[ctan13]

I think you will need to check with the shop what sort of current the LEDs need. Based on that, you will then need to calculate the value of the resistors using the formula as stated in the link given by InitialD and myself. 12V LEDs doesn't mean that you can just plug them into a 12V supply ... it also depends on the current. I'm no electronic expert, but that's what I understand from all that I've read.

 

[ksgoh]

yes, that's right....V=IR...

 

[sharkair]

just an opinion. switching circuit will be having current spike in it. current is equivalent to rate of voltage changes over time (dV/dt). the voltage travel from 0 to 12V within a very short time. this introduce spike in switching circuit.

however, this effect (current spike) can be dampened by putting a capacitor across +/- terminal.

My point is, better to use capacitor across power supply if you want to have your simple LED life longer. The circuit is good, but current protection must be there.

http://www.web-ee.com/Schematics/Brakes/brakes.htm

 

[L9Turbo]

Thanks for the input! :)
Cheers