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OT - More LED info needed

I was amazed at the amount on information this group gave on the prior LED discussion and would like to tap that source with my LED question.

I am designing a copper sculpture that will serve as a holder for a lighted address sign. In doing research on my options for providing the light, I've found that the best would probably be LEDs using a solar panel to charge the batteries during the day. I've found a commercially produced unit that is being sold by a number of companies that does the same thing. However I can't just buy one of those and use the guts, because they are designed for lighting only a one sided sign. Besides, it uses red LEDs, and I don't want that color. I want to hang my sign and have it viewable from both sides with the lighting elements in the middle. Having more LEDs would require more battery power and solar panel capacity than that unit would provide.

The LEDs needed for this wouldn't need to be bright, just enough to back light a translucent panel by spacing the LEDs out across behind it. I haven't been able to find a circuit that would do this and don't know how to design my own. I have limited knowledge of electronics, but would be able to follow a schematic and wire up a breadboard type of circuit board with LEDs on both sides.

Any and all help would be appreciated very much. Lane

Reply to
Lane
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I just received my issue of Nuts & Volts magazine today.

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There was a featured new product from Ledtronics,Inc that may be just what you want. Colors and applications information available.

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Usual disclaimers

Earle Rich Mont Vernon, NH

Reply to
ERich10983

Do you remember the name of this product? The NutsVolts site search on "ledtronics" comes up empty and the LedTronics web site has a ton of products and a brief look through I couldn't find anything. Lane

Reply to
Lane

You might look at the new LED illuminated tail lights. You could probably take them apart and power them from any 12 volt source. They are very cheap at a truck supply outfit.

Reply to
ATP

Since you are making an address sign you probably already have electricity. going the solar power route will require changing the batteries and maintaining the system. A low voltage wire can be run cheap and the power consumption is nominal.

Reply to
Roger Shoaf

Something like this? ( manual switch off & on though);

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if you want less light, use lower current LEDs and appropriately higher value current limiting resistors,..experiment!

Here's some circuits ( lower down on the page) for "dark on";

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might want to add a larger transistor to the above circuits if you're running alot of LEDs..or just make a whole pile of the individual circuits.

Lots of LEDs here& they'll send you a big fat catalog for free; ( a bit on the pricey side though);

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Look around your local area for electronics surplus ( cheapest route), as for solar panels..I dunno, digikey no longer sells them..maybe google for a supplier in your local area or maybe here?;
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more..?
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G'luck & have fun! ;-)

Reply to
Bart

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