Question about LEDs (Placement and Connection)

[cv_otaku]

Hi all. Long time lurker, first time poster. I'm still pretty new to this hobby, but I've learned a ton of stuff reading both Ben's book, as well as the posts on this forum. I think I'm ready to create my first portable (NES).

I, however, have a quick couple of questions about the LED backlight mod. I'm using a Zenith screen with four LEDs, one at each corner, to try and get good light coverage. I've also read, on this forum, that it's a good practice to put one Resister on each LED. A quick look at LEDCalc.com recommends 100 Ohm resistors for the LEDs I bought.

My questions are, how do you guys recommend mounting these LEDs on the screen. Do you use Ben's method, from the book, of electrical tape and hot glue directly on the board? Or do you connect the resistors on a seperate PCB? Secondly, the wires on the LEDs and the Resistors are pretty long, and seem kind of stiff. Is it easier to cut the leads shorter and connect them with a bit of ribbon cable, to gain the flexibility? Does it matter? Also, to connect the resistors to the LEDs, I was thinking I'd just twist the connections together and put a dab of solder to keep them together. Will this work? Or is there a better way to do it?

Sorry for questions that may seem like Electronics 101, but as I said, I'm still pretty new to the hobby and I really don't want to screw anything up.

[cv_otaku]

I'm assuming you meant "How do you mount the resistors"

Basically it doesn't really matter. Whatever is more convenient for you.

And both ways to connect the LEDs to the resistors will work. Just do whatever is best for your project.

Twisting the metal leads and dabbing it with solder will work fine.

Just one thing to note... The resistors will get a little hot, so put a lot of hot glue on top of them

Good Luck!

Yeah, I meant "mount the resistors". Sorry. I'm typing this at work, in between projects, and apparently my two or three read-throughs of the post didn't catch it.

Thanks for the response. This was the last piece of the puzzle, so to speak. As I said, I've spent a lot of hours reading through this forum and checking out everyone's design. I think I have a pretty good grasp on portablizing in general and an excellent grasp on portablizing the NES.

I suppose we'll find out, after I hook everything up.

[eurddrue]

I'm assuming you meant "How do you mount the resistors"

Basically it doesn't really matter. Whatever is more convenient for you.

And both ways to connect the LEDs to the resistors will work. Just do whatever is best for your project.

Twisting the metal leads and dabbing it with solder will work fine.

Just one thing to note... The resistors will get a little hot, so put a lot of hot glue on top of them

Good Luck!

Yeah, I meant "mount the resistors". Sorry. I'm typing this at work, in between projects, and apparently my two or three read-throughs of the post didn't catch it.

Thanks for the response. This was the last piece of the puzzle, so to speak. As I said, I've spent a lot of hours reading through this forum and checking out everyone's design. I think I have a pretty good grasp on portablizing in general and an excellent grasp on portablizing the NES.

I suppose we'll find out, after I hook everything up.

If you want a small NES portable, you could try a NOAC. They have a very low power draw, are small, and can be modified to play 72 pin nes games.
Try the Super Joy 3.