LED Lights
#1
11-23-16, 02:09 PM
LED Lights
I've got a few old radios that I hollowed out, refinished & hid some speakers in and I'd like to install some lamps on a switch to illuminate them. I was hoping I could hack LED Xmas light strings to suit my purpose.
I am not an electrician but can handle simple instructions and a soldering iron.
Any advice or links to same appreciated.
I am not an electrician but can handle simple instructions and a soldering iron.
Any advice or links to same appreciated.
#2
11-23-16, 04:51 PM
Member
Most LED xmas light strings are wired in series so they can work off line voltage. You can't shorten them or you will overcurrent the LEDs and burn them out. You can add a series resistor but that will generate a lot of heat.
What part(s) of the radios are you trying to light up? If you describe a little more about what you want to do we can probably suggest a reasonable solution.
What part(s) of the radios are you trying to light up? If you describe a little more about what you want to do we can probably suggest a reasonable solution.
#4
11-24-16, 06:28 AM
I have 2 standalone, wood cabinets as well as a few table-top models again, made of wood so heat would be an issue. I'd like to light up the glass panels that used to illuminate the radio dials.
#5
11-24-16, 07:21 AM
a few table-top models again, made of wood so heat would be an issue.
5V LED | eBay
5V DC Adapter | eBay
#6
11-24-16, 12:24 PM
True, tubes were much hotter but the wood in the old radios is very dry now. Your suggestions would work but since I'm not an electrician (I can work a soldering gun
, building a lamp out of this may be out of my reach. Are there any ready-made units? I"m not sure what to look for ... would they be called 'display' or 'modelling' lights?
, building a lamp out of this may be out of my reach. Are there any ready-made units? I"m not sure what to look for ... would they be called 'display' or 'modelling' lights?
#7
11-24-16, 01:50 PM
You just connect the two wires of the led to the two wires of the wall wart. You just need to check polarity and if an additional resistor is required. Did you look at the examples I posted? This one says in the description no additional resistor required. 20 x Pre wired 6v 5mm Cool Clear White LEDs Prewired 6 volt DC LED Light 4v 5v | eBay
#8
11-24-16, 02:22 PM
Yes, I checked out your examples and found 10 x LED - 5mm PRE WIRED LEDS 9 VOLT ~WHITE ~ 9V PREWIRED USA | eBay
I think I'll try it -- fits my experience level
I like your tag line & follow it religiously. Thanks Ray.
Chris
I think I'll try it -- fits my experience level
I like your tag line & follow it religiously. Thanks Ray.
Chris
#9
11-25-16, 12:27 AM
9 volts is a bit odd for a wall wart and they seem to be saying it will work on a car battery. Be sure to get a 9 volt DC wall wart or ask them if it will work on 12 volts.
#10
11-25-16, 06:55 AM
The battery snap shown looks to me like it would fit on a transistor battery. Will that not work for an LED?
What's a wall wart? I'm assuming it's an adapter?
What's a wall wart? I'm assuming it's an adapter?
#11
11-25-16, 08:18 AM
The battery snap shown looks to me like it would fit on a transistor battery. Will that not work for an LED?
You'd just cut the plug off the LEDs marking which wire is positive and cut the plug off the wall wart noting which wire is positive and connect the wires together positive to positive, negitive to negitive..
