I want to wire 3 blue LEDs in my door handle wired to the battery or HOT wire and will turn off when the key "Acces." is turned off. I am NOT an electrician and would like a VERY lamen description of how to do this. Maybe a non-electrical diagram drawing a battery on one side and the 3 LEDs on the other and whatever components (names) in between.
To give you a visual: The 3 LEDs will be in the 3 small squares on the door handle of my 350Z.
Thank you for ANY help!!!!!!!!
Are these 12V LEDs? The ones sold for vehicles? (usually say 12V) or are they just typical LEDs? From an electronics place or so? Also you say you want them on all the time except when the key is in accessory? Even while driving? Or do you just want them to be on while the car is off, and off while the car is on or in acc? I just want to clarify to make sure i understand you correctly before going any further.
I haven't bought anything yet....could use some advice on that too. I want the LEDs on while the key is on "Access."...so that means while driving too.
i still dont get it lol. do you mean when the key is in the "On" position? because the car wont run in accessory. anyway i assume you mean you want it on anytime the car is not off (keys removed position). If so it would be easy to do, if you get 12V Leds just use a source like the one to the head unit to turn on the LEDs. I think the hardest part is goin to be getting the wires over and into the door. If you use LEDs from an electronics place all you ould need to do is add the correct resistor in line with each LED. Some of the blues ones are very bright so you might wanna put a switch in or something to turn them off at night, but thats up to you.
Yes, your correct....when keys are removed they shut off and when the key is inserted and turn to "On" they come on. What kind of resistor would I need for a non 12v LED?
On wiring the LED: Two wires come off the bulb of an LED. One goes to power (From the battery and one goes to any ground...like the car chasis?? Is that correct? And where would I put the resistor? In line with the power wire?
I had another idea too. If its not too complicated, I think it would be cool when the key is inserted and turned to on, they light continuously. Then when the car is shut off and the key is taken out they blink consecutively from top to bottom: top on.............middle on.............bottom on...............all off...........repeat. Wonder how much that would drain the battery. If its too complicated, I won't bother.
Thanks for your help xetmes!!!
the resistor would depend on the LEDs you select and the current they require, plus on the LED the leads must have correct polarity, but thats no big deal. Also the moving LEDs would not be all that difficult, but it would not be all that simple. I could prolly give you a circuit diagram that would do it if you want.
350zee wrote:
where would I put the resistor? In line with the power wire?
Yes a 2200 ohms, +/-5% (RED / RED / RED / GOLD) resistor should work just fine. Just remember to put heat shrink over each LED lead so the wont short out.
djdragon wrote:
350zee wrote:
where would I put the resistor? In line with the power wire?
Yes a 2200 ohms, +/-5% (RED / RED / RED / GOLD) resistor should work just fine. Just remember to put heat shrink over each LED lead so the wont short out.
It really depends on the LED, if it has a 2V drop, and you use a 2k2 assuming 12V, the current is only going to be 4.5 mA, most LEDs require more than that to glow brightly it would be dim.