So I have a project that I started 10 years ago involving a circuit of LEDs sealed inside a model. My electronics knowledge was poor back then and when I wired them up I connected the 18 white LEDs in 6 series banks of 3 LEDs which was to run on 12V. These banks were then connected in parallel. Horrible I know
These banks were then protected with a bank of 3 resistors soldered in in parallel to each other to give the right resistance and that soldered in series with the banks of LEDs. These are not high power resistors.
The problem is now that I know more about electronics (I've dug out the project to finish it) I am very very concerned that the resistors will not be able to take the power required for the circuit. I estimate the circuit will draw probably about 1.8W maybe?
My issue is I have 2 wires going into the model to power the circuit and was wondering if anyone could suggest a method of keeping the power down in the circuit be external means to stop the resistors inside melting themselves.
I cannot get inside the model to change the circuit and the circuit will be controlled by an Arduino board via Mosfets or similar.
Help!!
These banks were then protected with a bank of 3 resistors soldered in in parallel to each other to give the right resistance and that soldered in series with the banks of LEDs. These are not high power resistors.
The problem is now that I know more about electronics (I've dug out the project to finish it) I am very very concerned that the resistors will not be able to take the power required for the circuit. I estimate the circuit will draw probably about 1.8W maybe?
My issue is I have 2 wires going into the model to power the circuit and was wondering if anyone could suggest a method of keeping the power down in the circuit be external means to stop the resistors inside melting themselves.
I cannot get inside the model to change the circuit and the circuit will be controlled by an Arduino board via Mosfets or similar.
Help!!