TheNewRow OP t1_jcq7qyg wrote on March 18, 2023 at 6:37 PM

Reply to comment by magaoitin in Need help with creating a LED base by TheNewRow

So i've got most of the parts thanks to you awesome guide! However, i can't find the exact same LED where i'm from. i did find a few that i like but they come in different voltages, there's a 3-6v and a 12-24v version. Which one do i choose then and why? Can it be dangerous if i pick the wrong one? And, i often see resistors being put in between the LED and batteries, is this for safety?

magaoitin t1_jcrvw6y wrote on March 19, 2023 at 2:06 AM

The issue is that if you are using a 12V supply and you get a 24V LED it can only use half of it's rated lumens (if it even turns on, some LED's will not activate without a power supply that is within 3-4 volts). Bascially it will be dim as heck if it turns on at all.
Rule of thumb is you should always match your LED's Voltage to the Battery or transformer size. Everything should be the same Voltage (or have the same voltage range if you are using a transformer) There are nuances of course, but it gets a little detailed.
Hooking up a 3-6V LED will probalby burn out immediately when it is turned on or soon after. It is getting too much voltage for the diode to handle.