How to incorporate LED lights in mods?

[dedmonwakin]

I would love to incorporate led's in a mod without losing voltage to my atomizer. I've been looking making my own mini circuit board with smd Led chips. I kind of grasp the forward voltage drop...well kind of.

I found this site that has a resistor calculator MetkuMods - Because you love your hardware! or the improved one http://ledcalc.com/ which is still alien to me. The spec's of the led's are: Forward Voltage: 1.8~2.4v ,20mA and I would like to use 4 of them. What's my loss to the atty if any?
Any help would be grateful!

 

[kinabaloo]

The LED (and resistor) are connected in parallel to the athe atomizer. not in series.

So the electrical current that flows around the circuit and back to the battery does not have to pass the LED when passing the atomizer coil. Some will pass the coil and some will pass the LED (via the resistor).

If you need more than 1 LED, in most cases the best way to connect them is in parallel. Because the forward voltage drops differ slightly from one LED to another, it is best to give each LED its own resistor (otherwise some LEDs might be noticeably brighter than others).

The resistor value can be calculated as follows:

Supply voltage (battery voltage) - LEDs forward voltage drop = active voltage

V = I x R
so R = V / I

Divide the active voltage by the recommended current to get the ideal resistance value. Then choose the resistor nearest in value (or just over to err on the side of caution). 1/4 W power/size.

Or, just use 100 ohm resistors in all cases with voltages <=4.5, 150/220 ohm for 5 - 6v.
(It doesn't need to be exact).

(There exist LEDs with built-in resistor; if not sure, include one.)

 

[dedmonwakin]

The LED (and resistor) are connected in parallel to the athe atomizer. not in series.

So the electrical current that flows around the circuit and back to the battery does not have to pass the LED when passing the atomizer coil. Some will pass the coil and some will pass the LED (via the resistor).

If you need more than 1 LED, in most cases the best way to connect them is in parallel. Because the forward voltage drops differ slightly from one LED to another, it is best to give each LED its own resistor (otherwise some LEDs might be noticeably brighter than others).

The resistor value can be calculated as follows:

Supply voltage (battery voltage) - LEDs forward voltage drop = active voltage

V = I x R
so R = V / I

Divide the active voltage by the recommended current to get the ideal resistance value. Then choose the resistor nearest in value (or just over to err on the side of caution). 1/4 W power/size.

Or, just use 100 ohm resistors in all cases with voltages <=4.5, 150/220 ohm for 5 - 6v.
(It doesn't need to be exact).

(There exist LEDs with built-in resistor; if not sure, include one.)

Thank you for responding. So, attaching all led's and atty in parellel will provide intended supplied voltage with no loss in the original value to the positive leg of each componnent?

 

[Deadmau5]

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/battery-mods/17981-first-mod-deadmau5-battery-box-mod.html

like kinabaloo saids, wire it in parallel instead of in series. this is a diagram that nicostick drew for me to help me with this:

 

[kinabaloo]

You can use a smaller LED if you like

ps: on the LED the longer leg connects to the positive side.

 

[breakfastchef]

this is a diagram that nicostick drew for me to help me with this:

Actually, this is a wiring diagram I drew and posted, but I am glad that it may help someone else.

 

[Deadmau5]

Ah! thank you breakfastchef! i did not know

 

[dedmonwakin]

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/battery-mods/17981-first-mod-deadmau5-battery-box-mod.html

like kinabaloo saids, wire it in parallel instead of in series. this is a diagram that nicostick drew for me to help me with this:

Thanks for the diagram, on a side note. I know that there is often question in using a tact switch in higher voltage...but does it make a difference whether it's used to break forward current or reverse current?

 

[zachari]

Interestingly I got today an LED that says it has built in resistor. But they don’t say how much resistance, only "5v compatible". So I guess it is the right size. The best source IMO is a real electronics store. The selection was so big I had to stop myself at some point. Bad thing, is that I almost picked a few RC toys "for my nephew" (yeah right), I had to run out of this place.

 

[Kewtsquirrel]

Interestingly I got today an LED that says it has built in resistor. But they don’t say how much resistance, only "5v compatible". So I guess it is the right size. The best source IMO is a real electronics store. The selection was so big I had to stop myself at some point. Bad thing, is that I almost picked a few RC toys "for my nephew" (yeah right), I had to run out of this place.

I stopped in to frys the other day to pick some stuff up, and while I did grab some LEDs and a couple resistors, their selection wasn't all that great. I suppose if I was trying to mod a 15 year old computer their selection would be great, but it seems like online is the best source.

I ordered a bunch of stuff from elec-goldmine the other day, I'm absolutely giddy to find out whats in my "electronics suprise!" box.

 

[zachari]

I suppose if I was trying to mod a 15 year old computer their selection would be great, but it seems like online is the best source.

The e-cig that you are building is more primitive than a 10 year old computer. Actually more primitive than any electric device your grandparents had. What exactly do you need?

I see in this online store the same stuff I see in Frys, which is exactly what you want, plus frys had nicer things like panel clips, built in resistors and so on, which I cannot find on this site with its useless search.
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[zachari]

I got at frys an LED with built in resistor. Connected parallel to the atomizer, works like charm. Less soldering, less stuff to put in that cramped space, no calculations required. 5V led works with 3.7v batt.

 

[Vapster]

I got at frys an LED with built in resistor. Connected parallel to the atomizer, works like charm. Less soldering, less stuff to put in that cramped space, no calculations required. 5V led works with 3.7v batt.

Can you post a p/n?

I would like one for my passthrough and a few for my first future magnum. still waiting on batts