Flashing leds

[shokenore]

Finally got round to doing the leds mods for the interior lights.

Got me leds and soldering iron

Started with the centre interior light

4 rows of 4 leds on a bit of bread board.

First two rows were lit ok but the the other two were flashing ?


What have I done wrong?

[Sancho]

Did you use flashing leds?? Are they series or parallel? Any other components, such as resistors, involved?

[Wolfracer]

My Xmas lights do that, there's a box on the end which alters between waves, flashing, static and all manner of things in between. Have you got this box? If not get one they're great! infact, why not just stick 120 xmas blue/white leds from B&Q through your ciggy lighter, and you can have them strung up all over the surf!

I'll get me coat now.

[shokenore]

Did you use flashing leds?? Are they series or parallel? Any other components, such as resistors, involved?

No resistors in circuit.

Wired in parallel

Not flashing leds (god I hope not as I got another 100 of the feckers)



4 vf 4 leds used then

like this
( + led - + led - +led - + led - )
( + led - + led - +led - + led - )
( + led - + led - +led - + led - )
( + led - + led - +led - + led - )


Top two lines ok but bottom two lines flashing

Any suggestions....

[Sancho]

I don't know anything enough to come up with suggestions, I'm afraid. You normally wire LEDs in series and normally use a resistor though. No idea what would make them flash....

[Vultch]

Is the flash random, intermittent

or is it predictable..if so you have flashing leds

[shokenore]

Is the flash random, intermittent

or is it predictable..if so you have flashing leds

these are what I ordered
50 x White Ultra Bright LEDs

LED / Lamp Size:3mm;
LED Colour:White;
Viewing Angle:30°;
Max Voltage Vf:4V;
Forward Current:20mA;
Opto Case Style:Radial;
Case Style:Radial;
Current If @ Vf:20mA;
MCD @ 25ma: 20000
Ho hum looks like I will have to scratch my head some more...

[Vultch]

But when they flash is it a flickering random event or like a car indicator regular

[shokenore]

Seemed to be in a wave like a indicator not all random.?

[Vultch]

If you could put one across a AA battery (1.5v) that should have enough juice to light it up , see if it remains on or if it flashes

[POPEYE]

Sounds like a power problem, i mean the flashing ones aint getting enough, did you try connecting one up with a resistor (470ohm) on the pos leg, to check they aint flashers? are ya sure you got the polarity right on each led?
what i suspect is the first two rows are takeing the 12v and working ok but starving the rest, they can be funny sods at times,
i've a similar prob with the ones i fitted in the front map lights, some are dim, just cant be arsed f##king about with it,

[shokenore]

Good shout

IF they flash I need to have a word

If they don't I need to check my soldering

[shokenore]

I think I will take out the centre light and throw the bread board in the bin and start again
Didn't even think about checking each led first.

Check check and check again

[rikm777]

from the little diagram you done it appears that you,ve linked them negative to positive in a chain which is in series rather than paralell.led,s are very current sensitive rather than voltage sensitive and require the same current to each(within a few milliamps).link all the positives together and all the negatives then you will have a paralell circuit providing constant current to each.with domestic led,s you would normally have a led driver to regulate the current,not sure about ones used in cars.

[Vultch]

Yes if the flash is intermittent it could be a bad connection dry joint or power supply problem but if its a regular flash ?