KYEXTAZ

I am looking for information about wiring resistors into a series of multiple LED bulbs. I searched and everything and could not find a definite answer on google. I am doing some DIY LED projects on my 06 350Z (sorry I am stalking the G37 forum too) and I know I can do the work, but I want to make sure I am doing it right. Basically I am wanting to do multiple LED bulbs (~15) in a straight line in a series circuit with white and amber bulbs in separate strips. I did the resistor calculator and everything and it told me to do 3 resistors for 5 bulbs. Basically my question is, where should I place the resistors? I know I should start the initial resistor on the positive charge. Should I do the series in sets of 3 bulbs instead? Thanks

Diagram of what I am thinking: ---wire [either +/-] (+Anode *LED -Cathode) R Resistor

Positive----R (+*-)(+*-)(+*-)(+*-)(+*-) R (+*-)(+*-)(+*-)(+*-)(+*-) R (+*-)(+*-)(+*-)(+*-)(+*-)----Negative

or should I do

Positive----R (+*-)(+*-)(+*-) R (+*-)(+*-)(+*-) R (+*-)(+*-)(+*-) R (+*-)(+*-)(+*-) R (+*-)(+*-)(+*-)----Negative


or is this all completely wrong?? lol

Edit: http://led.linear1.org/led.wiz Calculator I used

I found that amber LED bulbs required sets of 3 bulbs with resistors in between and white bulbs were schemed as sets of 5 bulbs with resistors in between

KYEXTAZ

anyone?

gtracing

iTrader: (3)

http://www.theledlight.com/ledcircuits.html

KYEXTAZ

yeah i looked at that but what do you do differently when you have 15 bulbs instead of 3 or 4?

gtracing

iTrader: (3)

nothing, continue the led's in series or parallel...if i were u, i'd do it in parallel, so if one led blows, the others will still work

G37Sam

you might want to ask Igor

G37Sam

series is a pain in the @$$, if one of them stops working, the whole thing goes off making it a mysery to find out which one actually got messed up

KYEXTAZ

thanks guys. i think i will do parallel. it seems much easier to do as well.

ucla bruin

iTrader: (7)

If you do them in parallel, it is best to have 1 resistor for each LED. This way, the current going through the LED can be regulated.

I'm assuming you're using a 12V power source? You need to account for the voltage when your car is off, because your car doesn't provide a steady 12V source. It can go up to 13.2V so make sure the resistor you use can regulate that so you don't over-drive your LEDs when 13.2V is provided.

Also, if you do them in parallel, it will draw more current from the source. Thus, making it less efficient. Series is the better bet for LEDs, but since each LED requires about 3.3V to stay within operating range, you can only pair a few of them up, then make branches of them in parallel.

Wow, that sounds really confusing.

What are you thinking about getting done?
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KYEXTAZ

Thanks for the responses fellas! With the info I got from this site and my 350, I was able to figure it out! I will post pics when I am finished on here and a DIY hopefully. I am planning on doing some turn signal mods first, and then when I get things figured out better, I am going to open the headlights up and modify them with paint and a led strip mod above the projector lens.