new project, need advice

[ScarabDrowner]

Hi folks... I figured this would be the place to go with a light-related project question.

To start off, I'm trying to build a remotely controlled antenna ball light for my car (switch it on and off when hunting for the car at night in a parking lot). I already have a weather-resistant housing that is connected to the top of my antenna.

I plan on using these items: a keychain remote control, and a 1 watt ultra-ultra bright white led. I plan on having the main part of the remote control in my trunk, with the wires running up the antenna (under heat shrink tubing or electric tape) to the led inside the housing.

What I can't figure out, however, is how to get the 12 vdc/ 15 amp from the remote down to the 4 vdc/ 350/700 mA needed for the led. Help?

[Ken_McE]

>What I can't figure out, however, is how to get the 12 vdc/ 15
>amp from the remote down to the 4 vdc/ 350/700 mA needed for the led.

A perfectly reasonable question. Browse on over to the buy/sell/trade or dealer/manufacturer areas. Look for a current regulated LED driver that runs off 12 volts DC. Use the remote to turn on and off power from the car to the LED driver. When the driver has power it runs the LED. It will run it reliably to spec no matter what the car electrical system does. That 4 amps is the *maximum* voltage. If you get the specs for it, I'll bet it'll light on less. Find your driver first then get an LED that matches it. Also, if you use big parking lots, consider getting some off color like purple or cyan or pink to make it easy to pick out of a busy background. Finally, post build pics here, let us see how you do it.

[ScarabDrowner]

thanks for the help... I must say, looking at different drivers, it boggles my mind. I find it somewhat difficult making any kind of sense from data sheets on these things. However, would this work? http://candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=11372
I followed the link to LED Supply, and found a 700mA/5W Luxeon kit available for sale. It seems it might work, the input voltage is listed as 12vdc, and since it's bundled with an LED I guess I don't have to worry about that end... this is confusing stuff for me

[chesterqw]

keeping it inside your car will be way easier won't it?

a bright enough light will be very attention attracting.

[ScarabDrowner]

it would, but the point of this little project was to find a way to get it up on the top of the antenna... higher altitude makes for better visibility, especially if I'm hunting through a sea of cars & trucks.

[Ken_McE]

>I must say, looking at different drivers, it boggles my mind.

That's just 'cause it's new. Don't worry about it. You'll learn fine from doing it.

>I find it somewhat difficult making any kind of sense from data
>sheets on these things.

Yep. Know what you mean.

>I followed the link to LED Supply, and found a 700mA/5W Luxeon
>kit available for sale. It seems it might work, the input voltage is
>listed as 12vdc, and since it's bundled with an LED I guess I don't
>have to worry about that end... this is confusing stuff for me

Don't know which exact kit you got, but they look fine. You could drop them a line, tell them how far the LED will be from the driver, ask if the distance is any problem. Or it might be in the spec sheet.

Good luck with it.

[evanlocc]

I once mod my vehicle interior light to run on 2 0.5w LED just add 470ohm register to each led about year ago.

And the same register used on the indicator light too.

Note: the quater ohm register mention here may be too much regist to a 1 Watter.

[Ballast]

"What I can't figure out, however, is how to get the 12 vdc/ 15 amp from the remote down to the 4 vdc/ 350/700 mA needed for the led. Help?"

Easy. Just use three LEDs in series. You'll get more light too.

BTW - your "12V" car battery is actually 13.8V. If they burn out, try four, or a small resistor.