Activity LED

[simplysped]

On my first laser build, I would love to add an activity LED, supposing I can find a place to put it, probably a drilled hole somewhere.

Any tutorials on this?

 

[styropyro]

You mean like an indicator LED? This is really easy, just throw a resistor in series with your LED and hook that up to your switch and you have an indicator LED. If you need a diagram I'll make one.

 

[simplysped]

You mean like an indicator LED? This is really easy, just throw a resistor in series with your LED and hook that up to your switch and you have an indicator LED. If you need a diagram I'll make one.

I don't mean to go all noob on everyone. But could you make a diagram? Do I just put it right between the battery cables and the diode or something? Also, how powerful (ohms) transistor will I need?

Thanks =]

 

[FireMyLaser]

To calculate the [highlight]resistor[/highlight] you take the battery voltage - the LED voltage (2V for red/orange/yellow and 3.4V for the other colours). Then divide that with 0.02A (20mA) and you get your ohms.

Example: 6V (battery) - 2V (red LED) = 4V / 0.02A = 200 ohms. The most common value above that is 220 ohms.


I hope this makes sense, hehe.

   l-------------l-------switch------{+Battey-]----l
   l                l                                             l
  +           resistor                                        l
Laser             l                                             l
w/driver         l                                             l
   -               +                                            l
   l              LED                                          l
   l                -                                             l
   l                l                                             l
   l-------------l------------------------------------l

 

[Switch]

What if I want two switches and the LED turned on when only one of them is on (like a keyswitch "armed" indicator) , or even one LED for each of them(like a green one for a keyswitch and a red one for the main pushbutton)? :-/

 

[pwnstar]

What if I want two switches and the LED turned on when only one of them is on (like a keyswitch "armed" indicator) , or even one LED for each of them(like a green one for a keyswitch and a red one for the main pushbutton)?  :-/

that's easy its like this


l-------Switch------------l-------safety switch------{+Battey-]----l
 l   l          l
  +   |   l
Laser   l      l
w/driver     resistor l
   -    +  l
   |  LED  |
   |      - |
   |    |  |
   |   |      |
   l     |   l
   l    |   l
   l    l  l
   l--------------------------------l----------------------------------l

 

[Switch]

Oh, duh.

 

[simplysped]

[quote author=Switch link=1225752598/0#4 date=1225991115]What if I want two switches and the LED turned on when only one of them is on (like a keyswitch "armed" indicator) , or even one LED for each of them(like a green one for a keyswitch and a red one for the main pushbutton)?  :-/

that's easy its like this


l-------Switch------------l-------safety switch------{+Battey-]----l
 l   l          l
  +   |   l
Laser   l      l
w/driver     resistor l
   -    +  l
   |  LED  |
   |      - |
   |    |      |
   |   |       |
   l     |   l
   l    |   l
   l    l  l
   l--------------------------------l----------------------------------l [/quote]



ohshi.... im going to need a way to drill a couple holes into my host for an LED and a temporary switch. This way I can throw a key switch in the back. Where does everyone get all of these expensive & cool tools?!

 

[Switch]

Like what? dremels and drill bits? :-/

 

[simplysped]

Like what? dremels and drill bits? :-/

Like a drill that can drill through aluminum correctly, :/ it's round and seems awkward to drill into.. and i don't have a drill!

 

[Switch]

You need a lathe for that ;D Not that you couldn't do it with a drill, but with a lathe it's way easier and way less chance of screwing it up.

 

[simplysped]

You need a lathe for that ;D Not that you couldn't do it with a drill, but with a lathe it's way easier and way less chance of screwing it up.

you need a lathe to cut a hole into the side of the barrel?

 

[FireMyLaser]

You should post a pic of your host.

 

[simplysped]

You should post a pic of your host.

http://dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.1442

 

[FireMyLaser]

A drill Press and vise should do it. But I don't know where to get those. :-/

 

[jamilm9]

http://ledcalc.com/#calc