Thread: New to LED's

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So I know NOTHING about electronics or LED's or anything of the sort. I've attempted to read a few tutorials on lights and LED's and to be honest, I think I need a video or someone to explain it to me in person. I consider myself a smart person, but apparently not when it comes to electronics.

SO... here's my question. I need lights to light props and other random items for my halloween party this year. LEDs are the cheapest way to go, right?

I found this on ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/100-Pcs-5mm-Red-...73625504231812


Can someone who has more knowledge tell me if I would need power supplies for those LEDs? And resistors? (I only know that resistors allow you to use different voltage power supplies with various LED voltages... right?)

Thanks... and forgive me for my lack of knowledge! =)

Search "LED" on this forum. You will find all the info you need! You can go here for a TUT I did.

Plug and Play LED Spot Lighting

If you haven't purchased your LEDs yet, you might want to take a look at these. they've been getting a lot of attention this year, and look to be a pretty simple effective solution.

If you want to learn more about doing it yourself, then hopefully this little writeup will help explain things.

It specifies LED bulb only so I would assume that is exactly what it is bulb only. So yes you would have to build the power supply which is quite simple really.

Yes LED is the cheapest and best way to go when it comes to lighting your props, IMHO. You pay for the upfront price but in the long run you will definitely save money due to there efficiency and longevity not to mention a much better overall light output. I strongly recommend the use of LED lighting.

If you are not comfortable building your LED's I suggest that you buy bulbs for standard stake lighting. You can purchase bulbs from various vendors but I have always had good results ordering from Minions who is also a sponsor here. I also suggest that you purchase a minimum of 18 LED's for lighting smaller single props and 36 LED's for larger single props. I have numerous photos of lighting from last year in my 2009 props album if you would like to see some LED's in action.

For a power supply I used an old phone charger. Just check the voltage output of the charger (it will be written on the side of the piece that plugs into the wall. You would then calculate the resistor value needed. This is based on the supply voltage, the voltage drop across the LED (forward bias voltage) and the recommended current for the LED. There are several automatic calculators on line for you to use. LEDs need to have a resistor in series (in line) with them to limit the amount of current they will draw. It really is easier than it sounds. There are lots of us here to help, feel free to ask any questions you need.

Electricity is like plumbing. Water pressure = Voltage, The water is the Current, A resistor is anything that keeps all the water from dumping out of the pipe at once (kink in a garden hose is like a water resistor).

of course the LED is magic!!!

LED's are an easy way to light props if you dont want 115V cords running everywhere. LED's have a pure and unique look (narrow light spectrum), LED's send their light directly out in front like a little flash light (really good for lighting individual things). You can get "black light" LED's for even more magic!! Tell us what you want to do and we will show you how..:-)

I think this is one of the best bits of info on running some LEDs if you are doing lighting.

Code:

http://www.halloweenforum.com/tutorials-step-step/89179-plug-play-led-spot-lighting.html

For some easy ways to decorate your party for halloween, why not try an outdoor projector

Have some over at Halloween Projectors for as cheap as $59.

Thank you everyone for your advice/help! I'm going to figure out what specific questions I have and let you guys know!

Again, thank you.

Originally Posted by hedg12

If you haven't purchased your LEDs yet, you might want to take a look at these. they've been getting a lot of attention this year, and look to be a pretty simple effective solution.

I just received mine this week! Ordered them from Niftymart and I was surprised how bright they were; certainly this is a limited mission capability with these pin LEDs, but I like them an awful lot. I'm affixing a few to short pieces of dowel to stick in the ground and use as specific accents for my cemetery and some interior application.

Highly recommend!