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Ford Explorer Community - Maintenance - Modifications - Performance Upgrades - Problem Solving - Off-Road - Street
Explorer Forum Covers the Explorer ST, Explorer Sport, Explorer Sport Trac, Lincoln Aviator, Mercury Mountaineer, Mazda Navajo, Ford Ranger, Mazda Pickups, and the Ford Aerostar
Im in the middle of installing a lightbar, as well as gettin a switch panel made for it. Since i love custom wiring jobs ive decided to run t1 (5mm) leds as warning lights for the toggle switches so i dont burn my covers (and my alt.) My question is what kind of resistor do i need to run, as well as gauge wire to run from the wire that runs from the switch to the relay, which is where im going to power the leds from.
Im in the middle of installing a lightbar, as well as gettin a switch panel made for it. Since i love custom wiring jobs ive decided to run t1 (5mm) leds as warning lights for the toggle switches so i dont burn my covers (and my alt.) My question is what kind of resistor do i need to run, as well as gauge wire to run from the wire that runs from the switch to the relay, which is where im going to power the leds from.
You need to find out what the power rating is on the LEDs, then get the correct resistor. It's hard to know the resistor if you don't know the power rating on the lights themselves.
Gauge wire would depend on the amp's running through the lines, so after you find out the power rating of the lights, it will tell you. I ALWAYS go safe with my light bar, strobes and siren in my X and go straight with 10 or 8 guage. Little on the bigger side, but I know I'm not frying lines.
First step is power rating of the LEDs. Need Voltage, Ampres, and maybe Wattage just to be safe cover all bases.
V=IR You should be able to use that once you find the current that the led needs. V=12 volts and R=your resistance. All you need to find is the current(I), I believe. then you're set. Hopefully someone can verify this method.
It depends if you're planning on running the LEDs in series (voltage dividing) or parallel (current dividing). V is not 12V. V is 12V MINUS the voltage drop of the LEDs (if they're being connected in series). Wattage only comes into play when determining the wattage rating of the resistor(s) you need. the more current going through the resistor(s), the higher the wattage rating has to be on them.
On the parts you're going to use, let me know what the "LED forward voltage" is, "LED forward current", and how many of them you're going to use in the same circuit, and I'll design you a wiring diagram with the resistor values. Voltage and current values are usually printed on the LED package somewhere.
yeah, the easiest thing to do is go to radioshack and get a digital mulitmeter. I got the pocket kind. I take it everywhere and use it all the time. JAMO must know what he is talking about, if he is willing to make the circuit for you. I am a mechanical Engineer, so only 3 electrical classes for me. Haha, I will only me minimal help.
yeah, the easiest thing to do is go to radioshack and get a digital mulitmeter. I got the pocket kind. I take it everywhere and use it all the time. JAMO must know what he is talking about, if he is willing to make the circuit for you. I am a mechanical Engineer, so only 3 electrical classes for me. Haha, I will only me minimal help.
I won't wire/build the circuit, but I'll design the wiring diagram and figure out the component values for you. All you'll have to do is wire/solder it together and connect it to power (+12V) and ground.
hey thanks, led's are 4volt (3.6 and 3.7really ) but i figured to round up just incase. 20ma all. I was gonna wire 4 in series around a master power switch (all 3.6v) and 1 each for 2 other toggles. I think i have everything figured out all i need is to find resistors. I got an online calc that gave me 1/8w 82ohm resistor for a single but i cant find em anywhere. Also, i saw you sig i like the led cargo light idea, was it basically the same as the puddle light diagram, if so i think ill do that next.
I got an online calc that gave me 1/8w 82ohm resistor for a single but i cant find em anywhere. Also, i saw you sig i like the led cargo light idea, was it basically the same as the puddle light diagram, if so i think ill do that next.
id like to get super brights for my dome's (i have the regs for my panel, i dont want to be blinded) , and im having a time finding those resistors on that web site. Think you can find em for me. its been a long day.
id like to get super brights for my dome's (i have the regs for my panel, i dont want to be blinded) , and im having a time finding those resistors on that web site. Think you can find em for me. its been a long day.
