ok im trying to mod my psp with a smd led light and the guide im reading says to use a 10ohm resistor but i cant find any, i was just wondering if i could just use any resistor.
2007-01-12 17:36:11 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
in Canada they changed radio shack to the source by circuit city and they dont really carry any of the stuff they did before. its all gadgets and gizmos
2007-01-12 17:46:16 · update #1
You can't use just any resistor, as they commonly range in value from several ohms to over 20,000,000 ohms. Also their power ratings (and corresponding physical size) vary from 1/4 watt to 2 watts.
However, the resistor value for the circuit you describe may not be too critical. I wouldn't go less than 10 ohms, because the current might be too much for the LED. But other standard values near 10 ohms are 11 ohms, 12 ohms, 13 ohms, 15 ohms, 16 ohms, and 18 ohms. I wouldn't go any higher than 18 ohms because the brightness of the LED falls off with the lower current.
Unless you live in a very remote area, there must be an electronic supply store near you. Serious electronic hobbyists and professionals don't generally buy from Radio Shack or Circuit City. You might have to ask around. If you can find a radio amateur ("ham") who builds some of his own equipment, he may give you the resistor you need. Or possibly you could buy the resistor from an electronic repair center. It should cost much less than a dollar.
If all else fails, you can buy from a mail order company such as Digi-Key. The resistor may only cost 5.4¢, but by the time you've factored in the minimum quantity of 5, handling ($5), shipping ($9 minimum) and tax you're up to at least $14 US.
2007-01-12 18:49:12 · answer #1 · answered by Tech Dude 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. You need the right resistor because it limits the current to the LED. Any lower and you may blow the LED. Higher and the LED will dim or not light at all. So you may have a little latitude if you don't care about the LED brightness, I would not go lower. Also, if you are modding an existing circuit board, you need the right size to fit the pads or traces (unless the mod calls for a through hole resistor).
Resistors are a pretty common item. Ask a local ham club to help you find resistors locally, or bite the bullet and order some. They are cheap but shipping will kill you. http://www.mouser.com has no minimum order.
2007-01-12 17:50:02 · answer #2 · answered by wd5gnr 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your guide says you need a 10 ohm resistor, you need a 10 ohm resistor. These are readily available from your local Radio Shack. It's not likely that you will be able to buy just one, though.
2007-01-12 17:52:03 · answer #3 · answered by Helmut 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
go to radio shack and get the 10ohm resistor that u need
2007-01-12 17:45:06 · answer #4 · answered by Matt K 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Digikey is another mail order house:
http://www.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?KeywordSearch
2007-01-12 18:33:37 · answer #5 · answered by arbiter007 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋