alarm led wire extension, relay?

Hey, I just cut the wires on the LED that comes out of the alarm brain to extend it, but realized by the time the votage gets to the LED, its only @ around 1 volt or so which is not enough to power the LED. I am wondering if i get a relay, would this work and fully power the LED? If it can i will add another LED too. This is the wiring diagram that i quickly made up in paint. Would there be any problem? Thanks.

you shouldn't need a relay for an LED. doesn't matter how long the wire is, its such a short fraction of time you wouldn't even notice.Ted

2nd Year Tier 1 Medical School

Still installing as a hobby...pays for groceries

Compustar Expert

the LED doesnt run on 12 volts.

if you measure the voltage where you spliced the wire to your old wire you will find its pretty much exactly the same as the new ends.

yuk

quiet rural missouri, near KC.

If your system moves you physically and not emotionally, you have wasted your money.

Ok, just realized i have blown the LED that came with the alarm. Also i might have shorted the wire for the LED that's coming out of the alarm because the voltage goes from 3 volt, 7 volt, 10 volt etc. Not sure if it's supposed to be like that. I have a LED with resistor ready for 12 volts, if i tap this in, do you guys think it would work? Seems like the last choice is to use the alarm's armed out - wire with a blinking led.

you probably need to buy a new alarm LED that will plug into your unit and see if your LED driver still works. they are cheap on ebay. or get one faster from a local shop.

if you have a friend with an extra, maybe they can let you plug it in just to see what you have.

if it dont work, then you are correct about possibly having to use the GWA wire.

using the GWA wire will not let you have the diagnostics that the regular LED gives when the system is triggered. it also makes programming features more difficult.

what brand/model is your alarm?

yuk

quiet rural missouri, near KC.

If your system moves you physically and not emotionally, you have wasted your money.

leds are 3.3v some are 12v but rare.Ted

2nd Year Tier 1 Medical School

Still installing as a hobby...pays for groceries

Compustar Expert

if the driver is blown. varad used to (maybe still does) make a driver/flasher box connected to a hyper bright LED that was made to run from a GWA wire.

yuk

quiet rural missouri, near KC.

If your system moves you physically and not emotionally, you have wasted your money.

I suppose we all have to learn somehow but any one ever think to test? Nearly all current alarm LEDs run off a 2.5-4V diode ref 12v+ via 4-800R. I always use a super high output blue LED to replace DEI, absolutely perfect.

Yea, i blew the original LED lol. Tested it with a DVOM. If the alarm's LED driver still works, can i just connect a working LED directly to it? or would i need a resistor with it?

you may not get the brightness you need from just any old LED....

taking Howie's advice as long as you dont have a problem with blue would be a good idea.

maybe he will post you a link to exactly the one he is recommending.

yuk

quiet rural missouri, near KC.

If your system moves you physically and not emotionally, you have wasted your money.