PEU
Flashlight Enthusiast
A few weeks ago while looking for ICs for a LED driver I found this little 3pin IC made by Zetex (now part of Diodes Inc.)
The ZXLD381 (Datasheet) is not the best in efficiency but in my book it ranks as the best in build simplicity as it only needs an inductor and the LED you are driving.
So I ordered some from Digikey, used an inductor I had lying around and build a driver, it was so easy and so fast, that I tought why not make a post about it, and thats what Im doing here :)
To make the PCB super simple I tought of using an X-Acto knife to make 3 cuts out of a copper pcb board, here is how you do it:
After assembling I grabbed a 5mm White LED from my parts bin and my CPF-logger and recorded a discharge curve:
I have the impression that it should last longer, I will look for a better inductor, but for a quick, simple & cheap build its very nice as it is.
Enjoy lovecpf
Pablo
The ZXLD381 (Datasheet) is not the best in efficiency but in my book it ranks as the best in build simplicity as it only needs an inductor and the LED you are driving.
So I ordered some from Digikey, used an inductor I had lying around and build a driver, it was so easy and so fast, that I tought why not make a post about it, and thats what Im doing here :)
To make the PCB super simple I tought of using an X-Acto knife to make 3 cuts out of a copper pcb board, here is how you do it:
After assembling I grabbed a 5mm White LED from my parts bin and my CPF-logger and recorded a discharge curve:
I have the impression that it should last longer, I will look for a better inductor, but for a quick, simple & cheap build its very nice as it is.
Enjoy lovecpf
Pablo
