Anyone know the voltage coming fromt the ash tray bulb. The one that pops open? or also maybe you can tell me which is the + and - wire? thanks

 

Oooo. Me first. Could it be 12? Just maybe?

Buy a multimeter. This will be the first of countless times you'll wish you had one.

 

12v!!, no way....to power that little bulb? I hope its not 12v

Ive been wanting to get one but i just dumped about $65 for this prject im working on. Can someone go and do it for me right quick?

 

My Haynes manual is not with me now, but I don't remember ever saw a bulb voltage other than 12V. I'll check and make sure after I get back home.

 

ok, this is what im looking to do. I need to wire up this "LEDs". I was thinking i cold just splice into the ash tray light since the bulbs look the same??(doenst make sense to me now either). Anyway, i was hopeing some eletric guys here can help me out.

Bascially all i want to do it power this little LED, how can i do it? where should i splice into?

BTW, the LED is i think 2.3v?

 

The factory bulb is 12 Volts. I don't recall which wire is positive but you will need to know for sure, because the LED is polarity sensitive. To wire up your led use this formula to calculate the value of the dropping resistor. A dropping resistor is used to eat up the other voltage that is left over after the LED has gotten it's voltage. So for your example a 12 volt source minus the 2.3 volts for the LED leaves 9.7 volts to eat up. I am assuming the current of the LED is somewhere around .020 amps or 20 milliamps (if it's different post again or re-calculate this with the proper value) SO 9.7 volts divided by the .020 amps leaves a resistance of 485 ohms. (yes, this is ohm's law) So you will need to series in a resistor on the positive side of the LED with a value of around 485 ohms. It can be slightly higher or lower and should be fine. ALso, resistors come in wattage ratings, you will want to get 1/4 watt resistor. They usually come in packs of 5 or so, but are very inexpensive.
Post again if you have more questions or your results. LED's don't put light out like a bulb, the LEDs light is usually emited from the end opposite the wires in a very tight pattern so it may not light up as nice as you'd like. Good luck.

 

Thanks, that help a bunch! It works.. i just wired in that resister like you siad, one last thing though, if i want it to be a little brighter would i just use a less resistor



BTW moderaotrs please dont close this, this is totally maxima related, i gaurantee in, you will see in 3 days...

 

If you want to know more about LEDs, here is FYI: http://www.theledlight.com/LED101.html

 

Yes to a degree. You have to be careful though. Too small a resistor and you'll blow the LED because the resistor won't eat up enough of the voltage. Typically, LEDs put out the most light at the amperage rating they are quoted. So, tell me, what is the current/amp rating on your LED and we'll figure out the best value resistor for your application?

 

I think i got it now, Ill be able to figure out the rest of ths stiff on my own, i dont want to tick off the moderatores, thanks eveyone for the help

 

I got some from radio shack.

 

how bright are they? ....for that kind of led

 

Yeah, I didn't know they made a 12Volt led now - it must just have a resistior in one of the legs right by the base?????