Hi all,

I am looking for an LED Driver IC (or a discrete circuit) that can power 8 to 16 white and 8-16 UV 5mm LEDs from 2 AA batteries (switching between the two sets). My main constraint is that the IC should be in a DIP package, not surface mount. Size is not that important. I could get something like the MicroPuck, but I prefer to build the circuit myself to learn more about boost converters.

I've looked at some manufacturers but most all of these are in SMT packages. Found a couple from Maxim-IC, the MAX633, MAX643 and the dual MAX743 I might be able to use.

A circuit or chip with a low battery indicator output would be a plus.

TIA

-- Dan

Thanks, that's the kind of info I'm looking for. The chip you recommend requires 3V minimum, but I probably have room for 4 AA's instead of 2.

-- Dan