How do I wire up a LED light?

Question

I'm talking about the kind you might use for hobbies, where you also have to buy a resistor, a switch, battery connector, wires, and circuit board. I've never wired any electrical components before, and I'm trying to wire up some LEDs for a hobby model. The components listed above are what the manual suggests, but the manual is also made for people who have worked with electrical components before. Can anyone point me in the direction of a detailed step by step guide? I've tried to look up different guides, but many of them just get into the technical aspects of how LEDs work and just that the positive connectors need to line up etc. And also, does anyone where where I can buy these things above? I've found the LED lights I need but nothing else. Do stores regularly carry these things?

Also, I need to be able to switch it on and off easily. (It is being used at light-up eyes on model - and the wiring and circuit boards and what not is to be stored in a compartment within the model).

Answer 1

Try Radio Shack. They may cell a kit for you.

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062571

Answer 2

LED's just like a regular diode have and anode (+) and cathode (-).
It is easy to tell the positive end of an LED because it is the one with the lead.
If by chance you cut both leads so they are equal, carefully look at the LED. There is a flat spot on the side. that is the cathode.
As for wiring up an LED i would suggest radio shack. If there is not one near you then look around im sure there is an electronic hobbisty store near you

Answer 3

I in many situations have a present day proscribing resistor for each LED. placing LED's in sequence won't require a resistor counting on the utility, volume of LED's and the potential source. If the potential source is 5 Volts DC; use a resistor no smaller than one hundred fifty Ohms at a million/4 Watt and no greater than 470 Ohms at a million/4 Watt for each LED. If the availability is 12 Volts DC; in simple terms multiply the fee X-2. be happy to e-me.

Answer 4

If you are not familiar, or not knowledgeable about solid state
circuitry, pleas don't try to "hook up" LED's. LED is a short for
light emitting diode. A diode is a device usually involved in changing AC voltage to DC voltage. There are a lot of specialty types of diodes, that, regulate voltage and some that emit light. For a thorough understanding of how to make LED's work, you need a basic skill in DC circuitry. Since you have none, I suggest that you exchange the LED's for small incandescent lamps that are easier to work with. If you would like to persue digital and/or DC circuitry further, I would be honored to help you.

Answer 5

The easiest way is with a 3.6V coin cell. Just touch the leads of the led to the contacts of the coin cell. If the led doesn't light, turn it around and try it the other way. No resistor needed!