Found Cheap LED lights

[Ramdough]

I went shopping today for socks at Target and ran across these lights in the tool area. They are disposable and $2.99 for two.

I thought I would try to crack one open (they are fused shut with 2 plastic melt points), hard wire it to a switch and a voltage regulator, and mount it inside my tent, inside my shell, and under my awning.....

They are not extremely bright, but they come in a housing that could be made waterproof with only a little effort and they are cheap. They would be sufficient when low light is enough.

I will let you all know what I come up with for results.

 

[Scenic WonderRunner]

Nice find.....

I'm interested in learning how you plan to hard wire them.

I've been searching for a nice LED solution for inside my truck....especially the back where I sleep and cook.

 

[The BN Guy]

I found these at the Cabela's store today...

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t...tx=mode+matchall&Nty=1&Ntt=LED+boat&noImage=0

The surface mount light actually put out quite a bit of light.

 

[Ramdough]

I'm interested in learning how you plan to hard wire them.

i am planning on building a power suply and then hard wiring them to a switch.

I will have to crack one open before I will know what I can do.

If I make a cheap ower supply, I will post a schematic.

I found these at the Cabela's store today...

I have seen those before. i just want lights in too many laces to shell out $20 ea.

I think I can convert these cheap ones for less and save some money. Of course they may not be as nice as the store bought ones.

Thanks for the posts.

 

[Ramdough]

I'm interested in learning how you plan to hard wire them.

i am planning on building a power suply and then hard wiring them to a switch.

I will have to crack one open before I will know what I can do.

If I make a cheap ower supply, I will post a schematic.

I found these at the Cabela's store today...

I have seen those before. i just want lights in too many laces to shell out $20 ea.

I think I can convert these cheap ones for less and save some money. Of course they may not be as nice as the store bought ones.

Thanks for the posts.

 

[Mlachica]

I was thinking of hardwiring other battery operated gadgets as well. Can you just find out what voltage it runs off of with the batteries then find an appropriate resistor and run it in series prior to the gadget?

 

[Ramdough]

The problem with just putting a resistor is series with a component is that you waste power and your output voltage will change with the battery voltage.

I am no expert, but I know that a voltage regulator is a simple circuit that can be more efficient. It also compensates for voltage drop.

I will get a coworker to help me design a circuit and I will post it once I am done. It should be pretty simple. I will post what I learn. It will be in a few weeks though (he is out of town).

 

[atavuss]

Ramdough, do you belong to the candlepowerforums.com?

 

[Mlachica]

The problem with just putting a resistor is series with a component is that you waste power and your output voltage will change with the battery voltage.

I am no expert, but I know that a voltage regulator is a simple circuit that can be more efficient. It also compensates for voltage drop.

I will get a coworker to help me design a circuit and I will post it once I am done. It should be pretty simple. I will post what I learn. It will be in a few weeks though (he is out of town).

I too wondered if the fluctuating voltage would make a difference.

I don't know much about electronics but I do have a general idea of electrical theory. On an industrial level an AC voltage regulator is basically a transformer that can change taps (how many secondary windings it uses (transformer turns ratio)) to regulate the voltage. So the regulator works off of induction. There's no such thing as a DC transformer because there's no induction so a DC voltage regualtor is essentially an adjustable resistor, changing the amount of the resistor you use. I'd like to know more about the voltage regualtor you speak of. Electicity stuff is fun :chowtime:

 

[RAM5500 CAMPERTHING]

Not "Cheap" but anyone that has seen these in my truck (or others) will swear they are the cats meow!

http://www.taskled.com/

I have 5 of them. 2 in my maplight, 1 in each stock cargo light, and 1 in my added non us 4th row cargo light!

BY FAR one of my best mods!!!!

 

[Ramdough]

Ramdough, do you belong to the candlepowerforums.com?

Nope, I guess you are recomending it to me?



Mark, I will try to find a writeup on the circuit I plan on building.... maybe this weekend.