LED Infinity Mirror, 32 LEDs, Selectable Patterns, Quality Frame

Step 5 Wire all the LEDs

If you are making an Infinity Mirror with no controller.
- If you are using auto-change LEDs, each LED will need their own resistor. Cut down the resistor leads and solder one of the resistor leads to a LED's anode and the other lead of the resistor to V+, or the LED's resistor next to it. Then the LED's cathode(short lead) is connected to a LED's cathode next to it. Repeat with all the LEDs

- If you are using a single resistor or Constant current source, connect all the LEDs cathode's together, just like the anodes. All the LEDs must be the same color or have the same Vdrop. Multiple current supply's could be used for different LEDs current needs. Not recommended.

Good source for calculations is ledz.com/

Wiring an Infinity Mirror with a LED Chase Driver. Purchase a Driver Here

Take a good look at all the photos before starting and things will make more sense.
Remember to be careful not to scratch or scuff the LEDs or paint job while working.

First thing is every LED cathode (short/negative lead) needs to have a wire run to where the controller will be. Leave a good 2 - 3" off the edge.

- Starting looking at the first image below shows how to cut dual-strand wire offset so each dual-strand can be run to two LEDs with less waste.

- Take a dual-strand piece of wire and estimate where to cut the wire, like in the image, so you can reach two LED cathodes and have  2-3" of slack to work with when attaching the wires to the controller.

- Clip the LED's leads shorter.

- Strip and solder the wires. Each to an LED's cathode. see images.

- Repeat with all 8 LEDs on that wall.

Next take your next inner wall, with all the LEDs and cathode(V+) supply ready.

- Place your inner wall with wires next to your next one. leave a 1/2" space in between. See Image.

- With a piece of solid strand wire, solder it between the 2 inner walls Anode rail.

Now the confusing part. Wiring the second wall to the first.
Again look at the images.

- It might help to write the number's onto the backside of the wall to ease in the wiring.

- Simply enough, each LEDs cathode should be connected to the other LED of the same number's cathode. See Diagram. Use the offset cut wire method, like before, to make your connections.

Now you have one half done and wired. Repeat with the remaining 2 inner walls

- Take a 4" piece of 22 gauge or larger wire and solder it to the LED anode's rail, and do the same with the second half of the inner walls. Both of those wires will connect to the LED+ spot on the controller board or to your current source V+.

Now would be a good time to strip an 1/8" off all the ends, so they will fit into the screw-down terminals.

Comments

[DustySeven7]

I believe you got a little confused my friend. the negative ends should be connected in parallel and the positives should have all a wire connected to them from the controller. the way you said to connect the system would not work.

[ChromationSystems]

It may seem like that somewhere, writing this step was kinda confusing for me. So I would say go more by the pictures than the text. But I know for sure that the controller board sinks current so the LEDs cathode's go to the screwdown terminals and all the LED Andoes are connected in parallel.