This retarded question??

toby dawg · Post by **toby dawg** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 9:51 pm

Sorry

for being stupid in advance but when you are talking about LED lights, you mean mm as milimetres. Or is it some kind of thing to do with power consumption??

THANKS

gamer2 · Post by **gamer2** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 9:59 pm

I believe MM goes with size

by the way, there are no stupid questions here, unless it is asked over and over with out using the Search button

Post by **SpongeBuell** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 10:25 pm

quick summary of what's what:

Color: color of the light
diffusion: light is spread out like a lightbulb, or concentrated and skinny like a laser
package color: color of the LED (not always output color, some LEDs are clear)
test current: measured in milliamps, (mA) the amount of electricity used
Forward voltage: voltage you should give it when wired properly (long lead is positive)
Max. voltage: give it any more, and your LED a'splode
anything measured in MCD: intensity/brightness
wavelength: has to do with the color
vewing angle: goes with diffusion, angle you can see thigns
power dissipation: energy not used in light
operating temperature: temperature you can use it
storage temperature: temperature you can store it in
Peak forward current max: not sure
Reverse voltage: I'm pretty sure this is the voltage you can give it if you wire it backwards
lead solder time: time you spend soldering, I believe this is until you can actually get the stuff on it, but it could be until it fries

Post by **Gamelver** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 10:32 pm

for the max voltage, you can actually go a little higher

.....I think it may "force" current through the LED, or something. I'm not exactly sure what would happen, but if diodes always clamp the voltage at whatever they're rated at, wouldn't that mean a higher current would have to go through the LED?

I've never quite known what exactly happens when a higher voltage is applied to the LED.....

timmeh87 · Post by **timmeh87** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 10:33 pm

isnt the power dissipation the total power consumption, including light?

Post by **Gamelver** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 10:35 pm

the power dissipation is the power used by the led, I believe

.

most would be...um...72mW, I believe (3.6V, 20mA).

Post by **SpongeBuell** » Sat Feb 04, 2006 12:37 am

Gamelver wrote:for the max voltage, you can actually go a little higher .....I think it may "force" current through the LED, or something. I'm not exactly sure what would happen, but if diodes always clamp the voltage at whatever they're rated at, wouldn't that mean a higher current would have to go through the LED?

I've never quite known what exactly happens when a higher voltage is applied to the LED.....

E=IR. (voltage = current x resistence) if E increases, then something on the other end would have to as well. R is constant, since the resistence in the LED doesn't change. The only other way this could work is if I is raised, which is what happens.

daguuy · Post by **daguuy** » Sat Feb 04, 2006 5:19 pm

kinda of topic (kinda) but would it be more efficient to power the LEDs from 7805 or the battery?

Post by **Gamelver** » Sat Feb 04, 2006 5:22 pm

SpongeBuell wrote:
Gamelver wrote:for the max voltage, you can actually go a little higher .....I think it may "force" current through the LED, or something. I'm not exactly sure what would happen, but if diodes always clamp the voltage at whatever they're rated at, wouldn't that mean a higher current would have to go through the LED?

I've never quite known what exactly happens when a higher voltage is applied to the LED.....
E=IR. (voltage = current x resistence) if E increases, then something on the other end would have to as well. R is constant, since the resistence in the LED doesn't change. The only other way this could work is if I is raised, which is what happens.

yeah, that's what I thought should happen

.

toby dawg · Post by **toby dawg** » Sat Feb 04, 2006 9:21 pm

Thanks guys. you all to groova!!?

Post by **Gamelver** » Sat Feb 04, 2006 10:24 pm

CHUPA THINGY!!!

I mean...er....yeah, thanks.