LED Beginner Project: Part 2

This project was my next step in my exploration of the world of LEDs. Here, I will show how to wire LEDs in parallel in order to make a simple bike light. Wiring LEDs in parallel is useful in that you can run multiple LEDs off of a single, low-voltage source.

Step 1: Materials and such.

I've always been looking for a reason to use an Altoids tin as a project box, and this project seemed to be it.

- Altoids tin
- 2 AAA battery holder from Radioshack.
- three way toggle switch that I scavenged. I used a three-way switch becuase I plan on eventually adding a circuit that will make the light have a blinking mode. If you don't care to add this extra complexity to the light, just buy a simple SPST on-off switch.
- three white, 3V LEDs given to me by a friend.

In my previous Instructable, I explained how LEDs need to have resistors wired in series with them to keep them from blowing out. In this case, I didn't need resistors, because the supply voltage was exactly 3V and the requirement was 3V. If you are using LEDs with a lower voltage requirement, you will need to add in a resistor to keep them from burning up.

Comments

[fastfilmsinc]

if you had a 6V power source and 6-1V  would you need resistors is you did it in the parallel way?

[Adambowker98]

I think I understand what you mean. You have 6 LEDs that require 1V each and you have a 6V power supply. This is perfect for wiring in series. I did this with a 9V battery and 3 3V LEDs in my Bike Light instructable.

[Charthage]

You might want to add some rubber inserts on it so you don't short out your LEDs.

[hikarudigi]

Good point and very true about adding the rubber. I did a thin strip of black electrical tape around the inside lining of the tin.

[Salsa766]

Incredible tutorials, I can't figure out how to make a flashing LED circuit b/c all the other instuctions aren't as thorough as yours. So if you could make an instructable on how to make those LEDs flash, that would be awesome. :)

[lifesavin]

I am totally new to all this stuff. Could you add say a 4 AA battery box and add more LED's and use this as a flash light or as a lantern for camping or such?

[rungdc]

THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT I AM LOOKING FOR...CAN YOU CONNECT 4 LED LIGHTS TO A BOX AND HAVE A SEPARATE SWITCH FOR EACH LIGHT ON A SEPARATE BOX(LIKE A REMOTE CONTROL THAT IS ATTACHED TO A LONG WIRE-ABOUT 2-3 FEET AWAY)???  LOOKING FOR THIS FOR MY CLASSES-I AM A TEACHER...THANKS!!!

[fastfilmsinc]

you could probably do it if you did the leds in the parallel way...

[jonsbuks]

Excellent hands-on follow up to your first tutorial. My Bunker Hill wireless alert signals an intruder by issuing a doorbell sound...as-well-as... three LEDs blinking together. I plan to cut the speaker wires to make the unit function in a silent mode with only the LEDs activated, but presently the LEDs blink once, when the intruder breaks the transmitter’s beam. Is there a way to keep the LEDs lit until I hit a reset switch?  

[legendofmatt]

Thanks for the Instructable. I used a 100 ohm resistor, a 9V battery, and a Momentary push button switch. a little different but I like yours better. here are some photos :D

[amadoraa123]

Wonderful Instructable. Thanks! This really showed me how to work with LEDs. But I used a 2.4 volt LEDs with a 150-ohm resistor along with a 9V battery. I also didn't clip the LED. .

[abbtech]

Nice job! As Jeasterlingtech mentioned I would suggest using some current limiting resistors. The Altoids tin seems to be so popular for these cool small enclosures and looks great in this project. :)

If you are looking for some LEDs with some cheap shipping rates (starts at $3.00) please have a look at our store http://alan-parekh.vstore.ca/index.php/cPath/4

If you are wanting to run an LED from a single AA battery here is an idea.
http://hackedgadgets.com/2007/03/22/rusty-nail-led-night-light/

[youarealwaysfree]

Thanks for the instructable - this was my first electronic thing out of components. I went for the "cadillac" version and bought a small prototype case. It turned out more of a flashlight than bikelight:

[Willd]

Dude, that looks awesome. I need to find a place to get cheap switches like that, theres not end to how useful they are!

[raykholo]

buy in bulk online for cheaper prices

[youarealwaysfree]

Thanks! That one is a Philmore on/on switch (only wired half of it) i picked up at Fry's for about a buck . Seems kinda expensive, though? i bet you could find it cheaper elsewhere/online.

[Firebert010]

RadioShack has a good selection of switches, most are relatively cheap as well.

[Darkshot]

BULL THATS SO BULL THERE LIKE 5 BUCKS FOR THE CHEAPEST ONE!

[Firebert010]

No, the ones at my store average at around $1-$2, are you thinking of other components?

[Darkshot]

no...look online at radioshack type in SPDT flip switches and you will see

[Firebert010]

Online prices tend to be more expensive.

[Darkshot]

not if it says "our exclusive" which means they always have it in the store at that price

[Firebert010]

Look dude, they're no more than $2 at my local Radioshack, please stop arguing with me. I know that, I buy them often. I promise I'm not trying to mislead you or anyone else here. If they're different where you live so be it, prices vary.

[Darkshot]

arguing is what comments are for! and i will check that out the next time i go there i usually look um up online at radioshack and then buy them in the store...so yeah....i will check that out my friend

[Derin]

I FOUND FOR 50 YKr OR LESS ps.YKr is our currency which is like the us cent.According to today's equal rates that should make 63 cents

[Darkshot]

O.o we were kinda done with the argument a while ago...

[TrickedOutPc]

I am new to leds can the legs of the leds be touching the tin or would it short it out. I noticed now it looks like your ends are sticking up off the tin. I am using 3.5v leds and a 2.5 would I need a resistor and if so which one. I am doing 2 3.5v and 2 2.5v leds. thanks for your help.

[rmcnaugh]

great tutorial. I made mine from a small car tin, so the battery holder is on the outside. I also used one red led and 2 ultraviolets. It's my 2nd led project. one thing, no matter how i wire the leads to the switch, the center led (this case the red one) blinks in1.5-2sec intervals as if there is a timer chip, in the switch. Is this the case? I like it, but I want to be able to control the blinking function. overall I'm kind of happy with it. In the dark, it reminds me of the "spinner" from blade runner. also I made another led project with altoids box with a green, high powered red and RIF led. do you have any tutorials for RIF leds. rmcnaugh

[Rae-senpai]

Thank you for posting this! I've been looking for a simple LED project to start with, and I chose this! I also had to mess with the switch a bit before I figured it out, but otherwise your instructions were clear. Thanks again :)

[tonton101]

A very comprehensive tutorial for beginners! That's a plus! Anyways, How long will it stay on? a week?

[Derin]

100000 hours total if battery drain ignored but i dont know with drain in calculation

[lacrosse2man]

where do u get leds

[Shifrin]

Hey, Nice Instructable! I'm planning on making one, I'll post up the results!

[MaxL]

I went to Radioshack and I couldn't find any LEDs with a voltage of 1.0. In fact, I couldn't find any with less than 1.7. Where do I get LEDs with such a low voltage requirement? Is there a place I can get detailed information about LEDs?

[kadris3]

a couple of types will serve you well. white, green, blue and UV require 3.4 vdc for the published brightness. red,orange,yellow, and amber have a forward voltage of 1.2 vdc. most circuits require a current limiting resistor to keep them out of thermal runaway. 4.5vdc (3 aa cells) and a 47 ohm resistor should be about right for one w,b,g,or UV LED. 470 works fr 12vdc. 3vdc and a R,O,Y,A led will work also w 47 ohms and one led. 680 for 12 vdc. a string of 3 white and a 100 ohm resistor will work on 12vdc. you get the idea.

[kadris3]

major mistake R,O,Y,A have 2.1 forward voltage . pleasee correct above. sorry

[Sketch]

Hey MaxL you actually need 3V LEDs as the materials says. These LEDs are in parallel so each has to have a 3V voltage drop over it to consume the 3V's being supplied by the AAA batteries.

[azebra5]

I've never really built anything on my own, just put together some kits with kids. I'm ready to go back to one of the kits which won't work and who knows maybe I'll be lucky and find the fault in it. LEDs fascinate me and hubby has shown me how they can be put together to make lights. A SAD light is required yesterday. It got me started with LEDs and your instructables are feeding my continuing need to know. Thank you so much.

[Darkshot]

thanks for the awsome project to do i made one!!! looks cool also thanks for the switch trick i didnt know how to wire switches before so this really helps because im building the beetlebot instructable and i luv to mod it hella times over enyway thanks :D

[Sync]

hey, this will be my frist electronic progect EVER. im wondering if home depot is a good place to get all this stuff