Working With LEDs

 

A Few Facts about LEDs

• White LEDs can be placed in abusive environments.
• White LEDs do not use gas to produce light and therefore have no delicate parts to break.
• White LEDs can be AC or DC powered, or powered directly off of a solar panel.
• White LEDs do not produce RF to interfere with radio equipment.
• White LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) produce almost no heat, nearly all of the energy used is converted to light.
• White LEDs can be made completely waterproof for many marine applications.
• White LEDs are polarity protected, so it is hard to make an installation mistake

Work/Installation Guidelines

Example: Connect from the solar panel to the charge controller. From the charge controller to the battery. From the battery to the fuse panel. From the fuse panel to the optional switch, and then to the light.

Below are basic instructions for making your own white LED light. Figure 1 shows 4 white LEDs hooked in series using a current limiting resistor. The resistor gives protection to the LEDs from over voltage spikes. In Figure 2 we have a parallel connection of a single LED. If you are thinking of laying out a circuit, Figure 3 displays the symbol for a light emitting diode. The chart on Figure 4 will help you select the proper resistor of the proper voltage. Figures 5, 6, 7 and 8 present four different options of hooking up four LEDs in series.

WIRE SIZING

The following table contains a recommended wire size chart with minimum wire sizes for the system based on the amount of current capacity of different size wire. The information on the chart can be used to determine wire sizes between the array and the controller, the controller to the batteries and the batteries to the load. When the chart indicates a size between two wire sizes, always round up to the next size wire.

Note: The wire from the controller to the battery should be as large and short as possible to reduce voltage drop between the controller and the battery. The controller senses batter voltage using these wires. Using too small or too long of a wire for this connection will cause voltage drops which will cause the regulator to oscillate in and out of charge.

The lengths in the table have already considered the factor of 2 for the distance in the hot and return wires.

Disclaimer: The information provide herein are basics to educate one on the operating properties and user characteristics of LEDs. We do not imply that the information is accurate or applicable to every aspect of LED usage. Each application will have to be performed on its own merits and with full understanding that damages and injury are the sole responsibility of the "builder". We do not dispense engineering advice. You need to determine the specific products you will need for your specific application.