electrical problem
- Thread starter teabo
- Start date
When do they get hot, and how do you have it wired up? I'm guessing either:
1) You're using LEDs with no current limiting resistor, so they're going into thermal overload (drawing max current).
2) You wired in a switch, and instead of putting one path through it, you wired in two. So when you think you're switching the light off, you're actually shorting the battery.
ATM
ShackMan
1) You're using LEDs with no current limiting resistor, so they're going into thermal overload (drawing max current).
2) You wired in a switch, and instead of putting one path through it, you wired in two. So when you think you're switching the light off, you're actually shorting the battery.
ATM
ShackMan
When hooking up your leds you will wire the neg - side of the led directly to the neg side of the battery. The positive lead from the led will wire to one side of the switch. The other side of the switch will be wired to the positive + side of the battery. Make sure your led is a 9 to 12 volt variety, or if they are not, use a resistor on it so it will not burn out.
mrgr8ness
Well-Known Hunter
Sounds like Shackman nailed it with scenario 2), you are shorting out the battery. Chances are you are using standard LED's, 2 of them? If so, you will need the resistor in series somewhere. Let us know what battery source you are using, and we can help with a resistor value.
yep, you're frying it.
I used a 9v to the Jumbo size LEDs from radio shack, and a 220 resistor I believe it was. I wired it up to the two 'normally open' momentary switches in the gaunt.
there are some great websites on wiring leds if you just google "wiring leds" thats what I used for mine, then a little assuming for the adding of two switches. there are also resistance calculators on a few of those sites for helping you get your proper ohm resistors.
(the LEDs would burn up if you were sending them to much power, which you probably would be doing if the circuit wasnt shorting first. I didnt draw out my schematic, but i went in a loop, one wire from the negative terminal, to the resistor, to one side of the switch, to the other side of the switch, to the negative of the LED then positive led to the battery positive. or I may have put the switch on the positive lol, but for sure not both negatives to the switch.)
I used a 9v to the Jumbo size LEDs from radio shack, and a 220 resistor I believe it was. I wired it up to the two 'normally open' momentary switches in the gaunt.
there are some great websites on wiring leds if you just google "wiring leds" thats what I used for mine, then a little assuming for the adding of two switches. there are also resistance calculators on a few of those sites for helping you get your proper ohm resistors.
(the LEDs would burn up if you were sending them to much power, which you probably would be doing if the circuit wasnt shorting first. I didnt draw out my schematic, but i went in a loop, one wire from the negative terminal, to the resistor, to one side of the switch, to the other side of the switch, to the negative of the LED then positive led to the battery positive. or I may have put the switch on the positive lol, but for sure not both negatives to the switch.)
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Been an electrical engineer for 15 years now. You're DEFINIETLY shorting the batteries out. Regardless of any impedance in the circuit, the batteries shouldn't get THAT hot. I always found it easier to draw out your schematic when something's not working. Hope it helps!
chibi fett
Active Hunter
Hmm, If you have the positive end connected to the switch, and the negative connected STRAIGHT to the switch, the moment you turn the switch on, electricity will go straight from positive to the negative ends, short circuiting it. The resistor and the light need to be in the middle. I.e; battery positive - switch - resistor - leds - battery negative. Sorry for poking in if you already got the answer.
-Ville
