Wiring LEDs
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 13
From: Kincardine, ON
Wiring LEDs
I'm changing the dash in my '77, I've added some Autometer gauges and want to use some LEDs for the blinker indicators and high beam. Can I wire these directly to the wiring harness on the steering column (normally would plug into the printed circuit board)? Any help for the electrically challenged would be appreciated.
John.
John.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 134
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From: L.A., CA
Are you connecting the LED light directly into 12V source? If yes, you need a resistor in order to drop the voltage from 12V to LED's required voltage. If you got one of those pre-made LED lamp, the lamp should have built-in resistor and you can wired the lamp directly into 12V source.
Here is a website that will calculate the resistor needed: http://metku.net/index.html?sect=vie...calc/index_eng
A typical LED's current is 20mA.
Here is couple places you can get LED lights and lamps:
http://www.batteryspace.com/index.as...S&Category=338
http://www.lsdiodes.com/
http://superlumination.com/
http://www.superbrightleds.com/led_prods.htm
Here is a website that will calculate the resistor needed: http://metku.net/index.html?sect=vie...calc/index_eng
A typical LED's current is 20mA.
Here is couple places you can get LED lights and lamps:
http://www.batteryspace.com/index.as...S&Category=338
http://www.lsdiodes.com/
http://superlumination.com/
http://www.superbrightleds.com/led_prods.htm
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,067
Likes: 13
From: Kincardine, ON
Thanks
I picked these up at a Car Show, they are supposed to be setup up for 12V. The housing for each of the LEDs is sealed with just the two leads coming out. I'll have to go with the thought that the resistor is built in. Thank you for the info, I should have remembered to ask when I picked them up. Hindsight is great.
John.
John.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 57,025
Likes: 2,756
From: Virginia
There is the possibility the flasher may not work correctly with the LED lights, especially if it's the factory flasher. You may need a heavy duty flasher or an electronic style flasher for it to work with the LED's.
