Newbie here. I am working on a project that uses a pre-assembled PIC based LED chaser. I have a bunch of questions about it.
The chaser that I am going to use currently has 8 white LEDs, one per channel, however I want to change that. For my project, I will remove the white LEDs and each channel will have a different number of yellow LEDs. The number of LEDs of all the channels combined will be around 250. If you need to know the specific number for each channel, I will list them. I figure the best way to wire the LEDs to each channel is in parallel, yes...no? The specs are: 5mm yellow, forward voltage 1.8 ~ 2.2, max continuous current 30 mA. Now how do I figure out what resistor value I need to use per LED? Would I go by the total amount of LEDs I use (around 250), or would the resistor value be based on how many LEDs are in each channel? This will be run on 12 volt battery power, although that could change if needed.
Also, the chaser unit that I have uses a small tactile switch to change patterns. I don't like the switch very well because it seems like it won't last very long, and the push button needs to be longer anyway. Could I replace this with a different sturdier switch to select the patterns? If so, what kind of switch, SPST momentary? N.C. or N.O.? I'm not familiar with the electronical makeup of tactile switches.
One last thing, the chaser unit has a pot to change the speed of the pattern. I want to change this to a larger pot. Will any value pot be ok, or will I have to use the same value as what is currently on there? I'm not sure of the value, but there is a number "103" on it.
Thank you in advance.
The chaser that I am going to use currently has 8 white LEDs, one per channel, however I want to change that. For my project, I will remove the white LEDs and each channel will have a different number of yellow LEDs. The number of LEDs of all the channels combined will be around 250. If you need to know the specific number for each channel, I will list them. I figure the best way to wire the LEDs to each channel is in parallel, yes...no? The specs are: 5mm yellow, forward voltage 1.8 ~ 2.2, max continuous current 30 mA. Now how do I figure out what resistor value I need to use per LED? Would I go by the total amount of LEDs I use (around 250), or would the resistor value be based on how many LEDs are in each channel? This will be run on 12 volt battery power, although that could change if needed.
Also, the chaser unit that I have uses a small tactile switch to change patterns. I don't like the switch very well because it seems like it won't last very long, and the push button needs to be longer anyway. Could I replace this with a different sturdier switch to select the patterns? If so, what kind of switch, SPST momentary? N.C. or N.O.? I'm not familiar with the electronical makeup of tactile switches.
One last thing, the chaser unit has a pot to change the speed of the pattern. I want to change this to a larger pot. Will any value pot be ok, or will I have to use the same value as what is currently on there? I'm not sure of the value, but there is a number "103" on it.
Thank you in advance.