melev
02-03-2007, 11:35 PM
Okay, let me begin with this statement: I know nothing about electronics, so if something works once I'm done, I just start counting days to see how long it will last. *sigh*
Sometimes when I turn on my IceCap fans to cool the tank down, I forget and leave them running. I can't use the Aqua Controller II to turn them on and off because the x-10 technology burns up the DC power supplies. I only have to use them occasionally, but there are nights when I wonder why the tank is down to 79F or less. The IceCap fans are so quiet when running in the lowest mode, I don't hear them. Usually the next day I'll figure it out when the lights are on and I hear them spinning at warp speed.
So, I wanted to add a LED to just give me a clue if they are running. That way when I walk by at 3am, I'd have an indicator to remind me to shut them off if necessary. I asked some DFWMAS members for some help, and Russ talked me through it. Thanks to Russ' help, I have a working LED now. Here are all the pictures.
First of all, let me tell you it is SO easy to blow out an LED, I can't believe it. Russ was helping me ascertain which side was the positive side on a 9v battery. Sounds simple, right? It turned on for a split second and that was the end of that $1.49 LED. :roll: My fault, since I wasn't using the resistor during the test. :oops:
Okay, so here are my parts. The resistors and two LEDs were under $5 from Radio Shack. Take note, I was told to use a 600 Ohm resistor, but they didn't have them so I got 680. I figured the bulb would be a tad dimmer as it wouldn't get as much juice. I was right.
http://melevsreef.com/pics/07/02/resistors.jpg
The LEDs weren't 3.3V as recommended either. They were 1.7V, but I was told the more important part was 20mA anyway.
http://melevsreef.com/pics/07/02/leds.jpg
http://melevsreef.com/pics/07/02/led_oo.jpg
I got out my tools. Soldering iron, heat shrink tubing, etc.
http://melevsreef.com/pics/07/02/soldering_iron.jpg
http://melevsreef.com/pics/07/02/solder_area.jpg
http://melevsreef.com/pics/07/02/resistor.jpg
I have a feeling if you leave the soldering iron on the LED too long, you'll send too much heat up the diode's wire and cook it. I tried to work fast, and it was a tad sloppy. Here's the first solder, connecting the 680 Ohm resistor to the positive side of the LED.
http://melevsreef.com/pics/07/02/solder_resistor.jpg
Then I connected the other end of the resistor to the positive wire going to the power supply.
http://melevsreef.com/pics/07/02/led_solder1.jpg
Sometimes when I turn on my IceCap fans to cool the tank down, I forget and leave them running. I can't use the Aqua Controller II to turn them on and off because the x-10 technology burns up the DC power supplies. I only have to use them occasionally, but there are nights when I wonder why the tank is down to 79F or less. The IceCap fans are so quiet when running in the lowest mode, I don't hear them. Usually the next day I'll figure it out when the lights are on and I hear them spinning at warp speed.
So, I wanted to add a LED to just give me a clue if they are running. That way when I walk by at 3am, I'd have an indicator to remind me to shut them off if necessary. I asked some DFWMAS members for some help, and Russ talked me through it. Thanks to Russ' help, I have a working LED now. Here are all the pictures.
First of all, let me tell you it is SO easy to blow out an LED, I can't believe it. Russ was helping me ascertain which side was the positive side on a 9v battery. Sounds simple, right? It turned on for a split second and that was the end of that $1.49 LED. :roll: My fault, since I wasn't using the resistor during the test. :oops:
Okay, so here are my parts. The resistors and two LEDs were under $5 from Radio Shack. Take note, I was told to use a 600 Ohm resistor, but they didn't have them so I got 680. I figured the bulb would be a tad dimmer as it wouldn't get as much juice. I was right.
http://melevsreef.com/pics/07/02/resistors.jpg
The LEDs weren't 3.3V as recommended either. They were 1.7V, but I was told the more important part was 20mA anyway.
http://melevsreef.com/pics/07/02/leds.jpg
http://melevsreef.com/pics/07/02/led_oo.jpg
I got out my tools. Soldering iron, heat shrink tubing, etc.
http://melevsreef.com/pics/07/02/soldering_iron.jpg
http://melevsreef.com/pics/07/02/solder_area.jpg
http://melevsreef.com/pics/07/02/resistor.jpg
I have a feeling if you leave the soldering iron on the LED too long, you'll send too much heat up the diode's wire and cook it. I tried to work fast, and it was a tad sloppy. Here's the first solder, connecting the 680 Ohm resistor to the positive side of the LED.
http://melevsreef.com/pics/07/02/solder_resistor.jpg
Then I connected the other end of the resistor to the positive wire going to the power supply.
http://melevsreef.com/pics/07/02/led_solder1.jpg