L.E.D.s

[Tarolisol]

I was wondering if someone could post a how to on LEDs and also were you can buy them. Im thinking of adding some lights to a tank plus various other uses. Thanks

[Kabong]

Here's a good link to an online dealer with a wide range of led's
http://www.digikey.ca/digihome.html
I dont have time for a "how to" right now but if know one else chimes in I'll write something up when i get in from work tonight.

[Robw]

Here is a link to a good web site all about led's. http://led.linear1.org/
They have calculators etc. A good local source for led's is MRO electronics in the NE.

Rob

[KrazyKuch]

Their is an electronic whole saler in calgary called Active components....they have good prices and any color you might want......

They are located on 32nd ave and 21st N.E, I believe...it's been awhile since I lived in calgary!!! Just west of Barlow on the south side of 32nd ave

[Tarolisol]

Thanks for all the replys, I tried to sort through the LED site but couldnt fine anything on "how to". I have no clue at all pretty much so im looking for somthing for a newbie.

[skylord]

You may want to have a look at IKEA. They have a set of blue LEDs that are about 1 foot long and you get 4 of them. You can plug them into each other to get a 4 ft light or use them singly. I have them in my 75 and only use 2 because they are so bright. I will plug all 4 in when company wants a look at night. I have seen them in 4 tanks now and none of us are having any problem with them. And the price is right at $40.00.

[KrazyKuch]

Try this link...should be helpful!!!

http://www.theledlight.com/ledcircuits.html

[Kabong]

OK so presuming your not really wanting to become an electrician,
You just want to throw a few LED's
over your tank for some blue moon lights or something.
The easiest way is to get your self some 12 Volt LED's. Get them from radio shack, Auto stores or order them on line.
Next up you need to mount the LED's on to something. PC socket board works well. you can get it at any electronics store.


Use this to space out your LED's to where you want them.

Next is wiring, Now there's to way to wire LED's in series or parallel
Think of the yellow circles as are LED's

On the left is in Series.
The problem with in series is they first in LED in line gets all the power it wants the second gets a little bit
Less and so on down the line depending on how many LEDS you have you may see a difference in brightness from the first to the last in line.
On the right is parallel
Which is what we want the current is shared by all the LED's and gives the same light all around.

LED's have a positive wire and a negative wire some will not work if you wire them back wards. A 9V battery is a easy way to check.
Generally though there will be one longer then they other. This being the positive.
Get some wire from your electronic stores just make sure its rated for 12V.
For ease of explanation will say you get some red wire and some black.
Tools that will come in handy for the next part, But aren't really necessary are,
Wire cutters, wire strippers, and a soldering iron.
Must have item is electrical tape and the wire of course.

So starting at what will be the end circuit strip the end off the red wire twist this on to the positive wire from the LED.
Measure with the wire to the next LED in the line. Cut the wire slightly longer then measurement and strip the end off.
Strip the end off your fresh piece of wire. Twist together the end of the short wire with the positive wire on the LED and the wire
from you fresh wire. Measure with the wire again, Strip the wires and twist the three together. Continue this down the line till all
the positive LED wires are attached with the red wire. Now repeat the same process on the negative side of the LED's with the
black wire.

End result should be red wire running down the positive side connected to all the LED's, Black wire running down the
negative side. With your fresh wire attached coming off the end.

If you have a soldering iron solder all the twists you made together.
Next Wrap all the bare wire with electrical tape. This is what will keep you from getting electrocuted so do a good job and make sure
theres no bare wire is espoused.

Time for some power!
Now why did we want 12V LED's? Because we all have an old cell phone kicking around and guess what the charger more then
likely runs off 12V. Thats why the plug is a black box (converter). Cut the charger plug off the end of the cord.
The cord will be made of 2 wires, a positive and a negative. Slice the 2 wires apart a inch or 2 then strip the ends.
Now how do you know which is the positive wire and which is the negative. Well ya don't unless you have a multimeter.
So you have to do a little trial an error. Just twist the wires on from the cord on to the wires from the LED's circut. Tape them
up and then plug it in. If your LED's are working Yay you got it right if there not UNPLUG the cord for the wall, untape, untwist,
switch the wires around retape and then plug it in.
Mount it into your hood and you done!

This will be my disclaimer part. While this should work with no problems and no real danger. It is all at your on risk.
For the record 12V will hurt but genrally not going to kill you.

For anyone who owns a coralife PC fixture and whould like to add some blue LEDS to sub some Acntic lightin
The cooling fans run at 12V. So you can wire 12V LED's right into the hood.

Is this still all 2 confusing for ya?
What something even simple?
Order a couple of this from your favorite computer store


Strip and twist the wire in the same method for the finale connecting of the circuit board and adaptor cord described above
Then mount in your hood.

Cold Cathode tube lights also avaliable at your favorite computer store.
Can be used in shallow tank's Wire them in the same as Above



Heres a single one on my 10 Gal

[StirCrazy]

I would skip the 12V LED's and just use standard 5mm (lot cheaper and a lot better selection of color temps. only issue is then you have to add resisters to control the current, but if you are using a 12V power supply then you can put 3 of them in series with no resistors.

Kabong I don't even thing the second LED would light in your first drawing if they are 12V resisters.

Steve

[Kabong]

Agreed Steve.
You can defiantly get a better selection in other voltage's.
I used 12V as my example since 12V Adapters are easy to come by and
Tarolisol wanted a "Newbs how to". This being the same reason i didn't go into resistors.

As for the second LED in the first drawing lighting or not. It would depend on the LED. Some LED's will only fire at there specific voltage and in that case your right it wouldn't light.
Of course this is why I said not to wire them in series but in parallel instead.