Could you help me with questions about building an led array?
I have 20 ir leds, http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Vishay/TSAL6400/?qs=oSAwVt7aKTHCOCv1ythi7g%3d%3d
I'm trying to run them in parallel and power it from USB @ 5v and 100ma.
whats the best way to wire them and do I need resistors? can I just use one resistor at the entrance of the parallel wiring. (I assume I could and would need a 1.8 ohm 12 w resistor)
I'm trying to wire them on here http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2104052#
should I use this instead for the parallel setup? http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2102845#
Additional Details oh and I'm completely clueless about wiring....... schematics, pictures or video examples would really help
Anonymous2010-02-26T08:36:03Z
Favorite Answer
Can't draw schematics on here for you.
If you are going to wire them all in parallel at 5-volts using a 100-mA supply, you are going to have a problem. Each one of those IR has a forward current of 100-mAs. The maximum forward voltage per color is 3-volts. The forward voltage drop is 1.35-volts.
Even trying to do a series-parallel combination, the power supply just does not have enough current to run the 20 IR LEDs.
I can make a schematic for you for a parallel/series-parallel circuit, but you need the supply with enough current capacity to safely run them.
before leaping interior the deep end, you may attempt a miles less complicated attitude with a view to greater effectual your expertise. I as quickly as equipped a site visitors easy array utilising a board, wires, solder and resisters, it became relaxing too. you may learn from a miles less complicated attitude. additionally, expertise that's yet another ingredient. I learnt a thank you to offer it yet the way it surely worked, I nonetheless don't understand! I understand computing device good judgment gates, and, nand, or, nor and so on, yet how they artwork with electrical energy, I have not have been given any thought. you will possibly desire to seek for the main comparable schematic on the cyber web to what you're finding for and you will possibly could desire to repeat it. expertise that's previous me. All i understand is resistors, good judgment gates, wiring and the main suitable tolerance ranges of the resistors are significant. maybe the main severe is calling the main suitable schematic. Its accessible, basically could desire to seek! not an answer, i understand yet your question is complicated and my understanding on it somewhat is constrained with somewhat journey on a 2 week electronics direction approximately 20 years in the past! form regards A.G.T