Im back with a noobish question

nos_slived · Post by **nos_slived** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 7:14 pm

Works whenever I use LEDs like that. As long as you aren't using like 20 of them, it will be able to handle the load.

myname2 · Post by **myname2** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 8:26 pm

Im sorry if I sound stupid, I just want to make sure I fully understand this. If I rig them in parallel of the 12 volt line, and have a resistor to bring it down to, heck, lets say 3.5v, just for the heck of it. so I have a resistor bringing it down to 3.5v, then I run them in parallel, then they will all be recieveing 3.5v?

nos_slived · Post by **nos_slived** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 8:58 pm

Yep. Remember, parallel multiplies and divides current, while serial multiplies and divides voltage.

Just to avoid another question about resistor value, here is the equation:

R = (Vs - Vf) / I

R is the resistor value that you will need, Vs is supply voltage (12V), Vf is forward voltage (LED spec), and I is the desired current. Try a couple different values for the resistor, up to the max current for the LEDs. Remember, the current from that equation is total current for all your LEDs. For a portable, you want low current(higher resistor), but if you are using this with the PSU, go to the max current according to your LEDs' specs. More Current = Brighter LEDs

For a really cool effect, use a clock/counter circuit, and attach different resistors from each of the out pins to the parallel line of LEDs. If you run them in the right order, your LEDs will go from dim to bright and back, then repeats. It looks awsome.

myname2 · Post by **myname2** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 9:06 pm

Great! thanx for all the help!

nos_slived · Post by **nos_slived** » Wed Apr 06, 2005 9:08 pm

No problem. I need some way to get to 20 posts/day, and elping people is better than spamming.

Post by **gannon** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 5:04 am

nos_slived wrote:No problem. I need some way to get to 20 posts/day, and elping people is better than spamming.

You could always try not having 20 posts/day

nos_slived · Post by **nos_slived** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 3:06 pm

But where's the fun in that

? Seriously though, think that most people around here are pretty cool, and I like reading and helping here (a lot better than doing my homework

).

myname2 · Post by **myname2** » Sun Apr 10, 2005 2:36 pm

Ok, question again. Couldnt I use EL Wire instead of leds? Just attach the inverter (or would I need it?) to the 12 volt source on my 64?

nos_slived · Post by **nos_slived** » Sun Apr 10, 2005 2:47 pm

As long as you can control the input as stated in it's specs, you will be fine. I have never used EL wire, and I don't know what brand you are using. If you could post it's manufacturer and power specs, I can help you more.

myname2 · Post by **myname2** » Sun Apr 10, 2005 3:14 pm

Ive never used it either

, but I was looking at this pack:
http://xoxide.com/ultra-brite-line-el-wire-green.html
There are no specs for it though.....

nos_slived · Post by **nos_slived** » Sun Apr 10, 2005 4:01 pm

I am going to try finding a site that has the specs for that, but I can't garantee anything. The specs are probaby on the inverter, but I'm not sure. That is 5 feet, and I know that you won't need anything close to that for a 64. I still suggest using LEDs with a multi-colour or fader circuit. I was going to do a schematic for this circuit last night, but I was too lazy, so I will probably start sometime today (it is hard to draw when you don't have any schematic programs).

myname2 · Post by **myname2** » Sun Apr 10, 2005 8:08 pm

Anyone else have any help with the el wire suggestion? I dont wanna order it and then not be able to use it... Nos, I want to go with the wire because the system is for my brother, not me, and I dont wanna spend an @$$load of time on it... I want it to look good though. The first n64 I did for my sis took 4 tries until I got it right (issues with leds

) that dosent mean I dont love the little suckers, I just dont want to have that happen again, and I think the el wire will look better.