I want to change the window switch leds to white. I just ordered the leds from superbrightleds.com

Which resistors should I get for these. The leds are 5mm white 6000 mcd 30 degree viewing angle.

Here is the link to the specs
http://www.superbrightleds.com/specs/w6_specs.htm

Should I be calculating 30ma or 20ma? I calculated with a 13.4 working voltage and 3.4 vf @ 20ma and got a 1/2W or greater 560 ohm resistor.

Which resistors do you recommend?

I know the drivers switch doesn't need resistors but I want to make sure that the brightness in all doors match.

Thanks.

 

http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homep...Bowden/led.htm might help you out with your dilemmas

btw most leds are ~5v and cars are ~12v so yeah

i usually run 470 ohm

 

Hey inspired. Here a site that will give you the resistors that you need for your job.
http://led.linear1.org/led.wiz

Also most resistors are actually between 3.3 and 3.6 volts at 20 to 30 mA. Some are 5 volt but most are not. Check out this thread from a few weeks ago and go to my homepage to veiw my led int lights.
http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=506610

for one white led that is a 3.6 v @ 25mA will need a 460 ohm resistor to work with 13.6 volt automotive system.

 

jeff5347: dam them are some bright a$$ map lights. Nice!

stupidaznmunkey: did you use a 1/2 or 1/4 watt resistor

 

another suggestion is to get a variable resistor at radioshack 0-1K and experiment a little, the worse you can do is to burn the led out ( $.25c loss)
but if you will start form 1K and lower it down, you can see the color of LED change. Try blue LED's too. They will get very bright and white with 300-350Ohms. but be careful! You will burn out a few... make sure you use appropriate wattage too so they wont overheat.

 

whats better to use a 1/2 or 1/4 watt resistor?

 

A 1K 1/4 watt resistor is just fine. I have blue 5000mcd LED's throughout my car and never had a problem with them.