Comments on: LED Lights Power Control https://blog.model-train-help.com/2011/12/led-lights-power-control.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=led-lights-power-control Model railroads and model trains Sun, 18 Nov 2012 00:53:20 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 By: Alan C. https://blog.model-train-help.com/2011/12/led-lights-power-control.html#comment-1194 Mon, 09 Jan 2012 06:21:46 +0000 http://68.171.208.138/~blogmode/2011/12/led-lights-power-control.html#comment-1194 If you go to Radio Shack and get a veritable voltage regulator and FOLLOW the directions on the back and adjust it to 21/2 to 3V you can run up to about 20 LED’s .Just be careful you don’t exceed more than 20 milliamp s thru each LED The voltage regulator has a max output of 1-amp and if it gets hot you might have to set it on a heat sink Hope this helps Alan C.

]]> By: Anonymous https://blog.model-train-help.com/2011/12/led-lights-power-control.html#comment-1187 Tue, 20 Dec 2011 04:58:38 +0000 http://68.171.208.138/~blogmode/2011/12/led-lights-power-control.html#comment-1187 Have a look at this site, there are others as well.
You can calculate the the number of LED’s and the required resistor.

http://ledcalc.com/#calc

]]> By: Ken Malgren https://blog.model-train-help.com/2011/12/led-lights-power-control.html#comment-1179 Tue, 13 Dec 2011 15:03:06 +0000 http://68.171.208.138/~blogmode/2011/12/led-lights-power-control.html#comment-1179 LEDs draw very little direct current at low voltages. They are polarized so you have to be careful to wire them to the proper plus-minus polarity. Depending on the LED, they can draw 1.5 to 3 volts. There are some that run on AC.
I would recommend that you seek professional help if you aren’t really familiar with electricity and electronics. Improper wiring will eat up a lot of material and can get expensive!
Best of success in your project.

]]> By: Jeremy Hall https://blog.model-train-help.com/2011/12/led-lights-power-control.html#comment-1177 Tue, 13 Dec 2011 07:49:42 +0000 http://68.171.208.138/~blogmode/2011/12/led-lights-power-control.html#comment-1177 NEVER run your LEDS of the mains because the voltage is too great and AC (Alternating Current).

LEDS need around 2 volts DC to work and require a resistor to limit the current.

They can be run from the control panel but here it would be sensible to wire several LEDs in series with a resistor.

An altrnative, because of the low current, is to use a three volt battery (two 1.5 volt cells in series).

Further information is on http://www.kpsec.freeuk.com/components/led.htm

But, basic rules are NEVER connect to the mains and do not do anything invloving electricity unless you know what you are doing.

Jeremy Hall

]]> By: Jim https://blog.model-train-help.com/2011/12/led-lights-power-control.html#comment-1173 Tue, 13 Dec 2011 05:10:11 +0000 http://68.171.208.138/~blogmode/2011/12/led-lights-power-control.html#comment-1173 I saw a tip somewhere that suggested using LED Christmas lights. YOu’ll have to add a 30 ohm resistor to one side but overall much cheaper than buying small light bulbs. I also paint the bulbs white to tone down the brightness. Easy and works great.

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