Arteom Posted October 12, 2012 Share Posted October 12, 2012 I've seen some interesting things online of people using 5mm LED's and converting their old Incandescent to LED using the same strings and sockets but adding resistors? I'm wondering if anyone did this before and if they had success?Does anyone know any good video/ website/ forum/ page where there is a detailed step by step DIY on how to do this? Thanks a bunch in advance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest wbottomley Posted October 12, 2012 Share Posted October 12, 2012 I've seen some interesting things online of people using 5mm LED's and converting their old Incandescent to LED using the same strings and sockets but adding resistors? I'm wondering if anyone did this before and if they had success?Does anyone know any good video/ website/ forum/ page where there is a detailed step by step DIY on how to do this?Thanks a bunch in advance! Just buy the LED's and call it a day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max-Paul Posted October 12, 2012 Share Posted October 12, 2012 (edited) William, buying LEDs is not always an option. I did this for some of those wire frame deers, but I have the following spiral trees that is not an option. I have 18", 3,4, & 6' trees that I converted the incan lamps into LED. and some candy canes.It all depends on the color of the LED. Example I used White LEDs on the 3, 4, & 6' trees. In one of them they had sections that where 50ct. Well my figuring left me with only 46 LEDs any more and I could not get them to light up. In the 18' trees they only had 35 total LEDs and needed resistors to keep from burning them out. Ya, you could do this without any diodes to make a full wave bridge. But I refuse to go half wave on my LED items. I give you a hint in passing. Remember you are not dealing with CLEAN DC. Must remember RMS and PEAK. Peak is the key to building something that will last for years. Only look at RMS and your project will only last days.If none of this sounds familiar, then you need to start reading my key words along with a firm understanding of Ohm;s law, and Watts Law.I have also converted both green and red candy canes to LEDs. Built my own pin wheel with 8 arms and 8 expanding rings. All with LEDs and a DC card. Edited October 12, 2012 by Max-Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest wbottomley Posted October 12, 2012 Share Posted October 12, 2012 (edited) Your project is more for an advanced decorator than a novice. Hell, some can't get their USB adapter to work much less convert incans to LED's.There's nothing wrong to learning, but some will jump over a wooden log just to trip on a tooth pick. Edited October 12, 2012 by wbottomley 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Fischer Posted October 12, 2012 Share Posted October 12, 2012 If you're looking to save money - don't bother. You're unlikely to find the LED's cheap enough - heck I know some electronic project hacker-types that buy Christmas lights as a cheap source of led's for their projects. And the labor involved would be ridiculous.If you're trying to convert something special like M-P above, that might be an option, but I personally wouldn't do it. My time is too valuable, and I'm pretty darned cheap lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arteom Posted October 12, 2012 Author Share Posted October 12, 2012 1000 5mm Led's for $19.88 free shipping is not too pricey... $22.98 for a set of 180 count LED Icicle Lights is.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max-Paul Posted October 12, 2012 Share Posted October 12, 2012 I'll let you in on another little secret that I learned the hard way. About had me tear up my pin wheel out of frustration. Seems I ran out of some left over LEDs from one vendor. Couldn't remember who I had gotten the first ones from. So, ordered from a different vendor. Both orders where for Pure White. Well they where off just a bit. And when put into a string of 8, (randomly mixed with the old ones) one or two would not light up. Seems that the old LEDs had a higher turn on voltage. Dont think it was much but it was enough. I only had a few so I pulled the old ones out and used all new LEDs. Moral of the story is do not mix LEDs from different vendors. Order all your going to need from one lot if at all possible. These more than likely are going to be what they call floor sweepings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max-Paul Posted October 12, 2012 Share Posted October 12, 2012 Hey Tim,Wife figured it was one way to keep me out of trouble if I am in my LaBorATory (evil laugh). Ya, there is no way to put a commerical string of LEDs on those spiral trees. The wires are all wrong, or they would just look nasty all zip tied to the spiral. Besides, thats when I learned that the leads on those LEDs are mild steel with very thin plating of nickel.Hey Arteom in each socket I squirted a small glob of a NO-OX like grease to keep the moisture from rusting the LED leads. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arteom Posted October 12, 2012 Author Share Posted October 12, 2012 Hey Arteom in each socket I squirted a small glob of a NO-OX like grease to keep the moisture from rusting the LED leads.Thanks my main concern... the rust! I just ordered some of those falling meteor lights from China, I am worried they might rust too, so I'm hiding it under the eaves of the house.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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