Dr.Monkey1313

This question goes out to all knowledgeable in LED's.

I am trying to put a custom LED into my ashtray light socket using the following.

1) The white plug that the I30 comes with to light up the ash tray. (I broke the factory bulb out of the white plug and am using an LED from Radio Shack in its place)

2) A blue LED from Radio Shack 3.7 Volt, 20mA, 2600mcd.

3) A resistor from Radio Shack

4) Obviously running it off the 12 volt car battery supply which I have been told runs at about 14 volts when the car is running.

NOW, with all that information, I thought I had done the calculations correctly and come up with the following:

I need a 510-Ohm resistor to run this 1 blue LED. I have read that you want to always use a resistor rated HIGHER than the displayed power (510 Ohms). SO, I used a 560-Ohm resistor .5 watt and 5% tolerance.

When I sadder it all up and plugged it into the car, it blew immediately!

QUESTION:

What did I do wrong and what do I need to do and use to make this work?


Thanks in advance for your help and I look froward to hearing back from you soon. Have a great night!

Dr.Monkey1313

Hmmm, I was thinking a little faster than this everybody. LOL

There has to be someone in here that can help me.

Please?

Thanks again.

NewLoveI30

Ummmm... Did you solder the resistor to the correct side (+ I think) of the LED?

Try PMing a member named MetalMaxima... He really knows his **** when it comes to electronics.

Dr.Monkey1313

I believe I connected it to the correct side, but I am very new to electronics and working with "naked" LED's. LOL I have only delt with LED's that have already been put together.

I will contact MetalMaxima and see if he can help me further. Thanks for the tip.

Have a good night.