LEDs in series help.

Streak

Enlightened
Joined
Jan 31, 2002
Messages
711
Location
ex South Africa now SoCal
I feel like a real fool. I have played with series and parallel components for as long as I can remember. However I cant get two Leds in series to work!!
I connect - of one to + of the other and connect power (3.5 volts)to the appropriate leads but no light. What am I doing wrong?
 
First make sure they both work, are they rated for 3.6V? if so you must have 7.2v to start with, then try connecting first one cathode to + and then to anode - of next LED, if that doesnt work turn one around first and then other. buy some small jumper wires and have your proper voltage.

Remember that for every LED in series you ADD voltage, like 10 3.6v LEDS would need 36 Volts at say 20mA, or just 5 would be 18V. But 10 in parralell would require only 3.6v but require at least 200mA for total current.

Series needs higher voltage lower current, parallel needs same voltage (3.6V) but higher current available added for each LED, typically 20-30 mA per LED unless you wish to overdrive.
 
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