Buy LEDs OnLine how to run a LED on a 12 volt auto / bike
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| Instructions for converting single LEDs to operate using current from an automotive electrical system. |
1. Start by identifying the positive & negative leads on your LED. The longer lead is
the Positive and the shorter is the negative. There is also a flat spot on the LED
housing next to the negative lead.
2. If you are going to use a LED holder this is the time to place the base of the holder by
sliding the base onto the leads of the LED with the open toward the LED.
3. Select the Resistor you need to reduce the current to match the LEDs specs. For
Red & Yellow (2.2v 20 ma or so) I use a 560ohm 1/4 watt resistor and for White, Green
& Blue (3.5v 20 ma or so) I use a 470ohm 1/4 watt resistor. If you want to find a more
suitable resistor I suggest using a LED Current Limiting Resistor Calculator ( Click here
for one, here for another, here for a Excel spread sheet which includes a lot of
electronic calculations including resistors for LEDs). Bend the positive lead of the LED
to a right angle a lead on the resistor you selected the same.
4. Cut off all but about 1/8 inch of the leads after the bend and make the bend a hook
on both the LED and the resistor.
5. Hook the two together and crime the hooks with needle nose pliers just enough to
make them stay in place.
6. Solder the connection making sure to get a air tight joint by getting the solder to flow.
If you don't get a air tight connection you have a joint which will increase the resistance
and lead to the LED becoming dimmer until it no longer lights.
7. Strip 1/4 inch from the end of a red or yellow 26 gauge wire and make a hook on the
unused end of the resistor you soldered to the positive lead of the LED. Make a hook on
the stripped portion of the wire and crimp the wire and resistor together. Then solder
together.
8. now do the same with a green or black 26 gauge wire and the negative lead.
the Positive and the shorter is the negative. There is also a flat spot on the LED
housing next to the negative lead.
2. If you are going to use a LED holder this is the time to place the base of the holder by
sliding the base onto the leads of the LED with the open toward the LED.
3. Select the Resistor you need to reduce the current to match the LEDs specs. For
Red & Yellow (2.2v 20 ma or so) I use a 560ohm 1/4 watt resistor and for White, Green
& Blue (3.5v 20 ma or so) I use a 470ohm 1/4 watt resistor. If you want to find a more
suitable resistor I suggest using a LED Current Limiting Resistor Calculator ( Click here
for one, here for another, here for a Excel spread sheet which includes a lot of
electronic calculations including resistors for LEDs). Bend the positive lead of the LED
to a right angle a lead on the resistor you selected the same.
4. Cut off all but about 1/8 inch of the leads after the bend and make the bend a hook
on both the LED and the resistor.
5. Hook the two together and crime the hooks with needle nose pliers just enough to
make them stay in place.
6. Solder the connection making sure to get a air tight joint by getting the solder to flow.
If you don't get a air tight connection you have a joint which will increase the resistance
and lead to the LED becoming dimmer until it no longer lights.
7. Strip 1/4 inch from the end of a red or yellow 26 gauge wire and make a hook on the
unused end of the resistor you soldered to the positive lead of the LED. Make a hook on
the stripped portion of the wire and crimp the wire and resistor together. Then solder
together.
8. now do the same with a green or black 26 gauge wire and the negative lead.
9. Slip a 1/2 inch piece of the smallest diameter heat shrink tubing over the resistor you
soldered to the positive lead of the LED. it must cover all of the bare wire on the positive leg
from the base to the wire insulation.
10. Slip a 9/16 inch of the smallest diameter heat shrink tubing that you can over both wires
and the positive lead tubing.
11. Push it all the way to the base so that all the connections and the other tubing is covered.
soldered to the positive lead of the LED. it must cover all of the bare wire on the positive leg
from the base to the wire insulation.
10. Slip a 9/16 inch of the smallest diameter heat shrink tubing that you can over both wires
and the positive lead tubing.
11. Push it all the way to the base so that all the connections and the other tubing is covered.
the bare leads. Be careful not to melt the holder base.