Designing a Circuit for LEDs

[matta757]

Hi everyone,

This thread comes directly from my previous thread on LED pushbuttons. I have decided that I would like to create the Korry style switches, using wooden cubes, push switches and LED lights. See this PDF for further description: http://home.roadrunner.com/~mbecker/Overview/Entries/2008/12/5_Switch_notes_files/777%20switch%20notes3.pdf

I am planning to implement this switches on my overhead panel for my 757. I need 6 for the hydraulics, 6 for the fuel switches, 3 for the anti-ice, 4 for lights, and 3 for A/C panel, for a grand total of 22 LED lighted switches.

The LED's will need to be provided with outside power. I have a friend who knows how to setup/fix circuits, but he does not know how to DESIGN circuits.

I was wondering if anyone here could provide a link to a circuit design or even design me a circuit plan for my friend to use as a reference. I would be extremely appreciative of any help provided.

Best regards,

Matt Armstrong

[N242AM]

Hi Matt,

I'm not completely sure what you are trying to design. Can you be a more specific?

[matta757]

I was worried that might be the case lol :(

I am trying to figure out how to wire LED lights for my overhead panel. I need to know how to design a circuit so that the LED lights receive the right amount of power. I think it needs to be parallel.

I am going to use Leo's BUO836X board for this panel. I read something that said that this board alone should be able to provide enough power for 20-30 LED lights, but again, I need to know how to wire it.

I don't know what else to describe... I am not entirely sure what I am looking for because it's my friend who knows how to read a circuit diagram.

What kind of specifics might you be looking for?

Matt

[Matt Olieman]

Matt go here. This is what I used for my overhead. Over 500 Led's with a dimmer, schematics at bottom of page.

http://mikesflightdeck.com/led_dimmer.htm

[Joe Lavery]

Hi Matt,

Leo's BUO836X board is an input device for push buttons, switches and rotaries. For LEDs you need an output device like the Phidgets LED64 board.
You cannot attach LEDs to Leo's board.

Regards
Joe

[matta757]

Hi Matt,

Leo's BUO836X board is an input device for push buttons, switches and rotaries. For LEDs you need an output device like the Phidgets LED64 board.
You cannot attach LEDs to Leo's board.

Regards
Joe

This leaves me a little confused. What is the 5V slot for on the board then? Also, I read on his forum that it has the ability to power 20-30 LED lights.

http://www.leobodnar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=4&p=263&hilit=circuits#p263

Read the first reply, written by Leo himself. Am I misreading something in thinking that that post means the board can power LEDs?

Regards,

Matt

[Joe Lavery]

I'm sorry Matt we were taking at cross purposes, :o I thought you wanted to control the LEDs, enabling them to come on and off at the correct time, like the gear lights for example.
What I think you are referring to is simply a power supply for the LEDs. So yes you can light a few LEDs from the on board power socket but they will be permanently on unles you attach them to some sort of switch.
You could use a DPDT switch so that one pole switches the function and the other the LED.
And don't forget you can't simply apply power to an LED, you have to use a reistor or the LED will burn very bright for a fraction of a second before burning out. :wink:
Have alook at Ian Sissons site he has lots of information on LEDs and how to wire them up.
http://www.737ng.co.uk/technical.htm

regards
Joe.

[matta757]

I'm sorry Matt we were taking at cross purposes, :o I thought you wanted to control the LEDs, enabling them to come on and off at the correct time, like the gear lights for example.
What I think you are referring to is simply a power supply for the LEDs. So yes you can light a few LEDs from the on board power socket but they will be permanently on unles you attach them to some sort of switch.
You could use a DPDT switch so that one pole switches the function and the other the LED.
And don't forget you can't simply apply power to an LED, you have to use a reistor or the LED will burn very bright for a fraction of a second before burning out. :wink:
Have alook at Ian Sissons site he has lots of information on LEDs and how to wire them up.
http://www.737ng.co.uk/technical.htm

regards
Joe.

Joe,

Thanks for the clarification! You are correct, I am just aiming to have the LEDs illuminate when I press the button. I have a friend who took a look at the setup and thinks that it should work just right. I am not quite to the point of setting up a full cockpit via software like Project Magenta. I am just setting up some panels that will function within the game but not necessarily have the game output to them, if that makes sense!

Regards,

Matt

[Joe Lavery]

Hi Matt,

Yes it makes perfect sense and I understand what you're aiming for. Incidentally if you simply need to power some LEDs an old power suply from a PC will give you 5 and 12 volts, enough to handle dozens of LEDs.

Regards
Joe.

[N242AM]

This is a good site for using a PC power supply in the sim.

http://web2.murraystate.edu/andy.batts/ps/PowerSupply.htm

[Tripacer]

I just finished converting a powersupply following the Murray State ideas and it works fine. Watch your packaging as there are usually a lot of unused wires that need to be snipped and have their eind protected. Getting everything back inside the case is fun, just make sure that the back of the plugs don't bump into anything as they will probably be "hot" (I used bananna plugs).

I second the recommendation on MikesFlightDeckDimmer circuit, I have two of them controlling all of the leds in my cockpit with no problem; however a 1959 Piper Tripacer has no where the number of lights as an airliner pit.

Tripacer

[daviddean]

Hello,
Here are the steps how to Design a Simple LED Circuit:
1. The first step is to choose how many LED's you want to light and their type.
2. Calculate the amount of voltage you need from your power supply.
3. Once you have the required voltage, choose how you want to power the circuit.
4. Calculate the required LED resistor value.
5. Wire your circuit together.
6. The final step is to mount the LED's in your project.

[verticallimit]

This site can bee usefull
http://www.hebeiltd.com.cn/?p=zz.led.resistor.calculator