I am expecting some power resistors at the moment, from aliexpress for another very similar project, also a current driver, but more powerful, around 1A or even more, using a circuit made by mister @Jon Chandler here on AAC forum. I am mentioning this here, because this project right now is not the same thing as the other one. This one is specific targeting LEDs, at low currents (comparative to 1A) - probably up to 100mA or even 50mA. I'm not very sure. He used a LM317 voltage regulator wired to drive the current through a Load. A very nice and good circuit but like I said, I am waiting for some important components to arrive. So in this time.... still related....ill do this tiny and cute and fluffy project.
Another reason I am specifically targeting LED's, is because I have a couple batches from different manufacturers, and also diferent colors that works at different voltages per color, and also different package sizes. Mostly smd, some TroughHole, and some Power LEDs.
- Usually, I use a very simple rule to drive a general LED (I don't care what type or what's his name). Put 10k resistor in series and done. I have the certainty of protection; that I will not blow it up, and I can lower the value of the resistor to how much luminosity I want from my LED, in reason. So I play in the safe side with my simple rule. Nothing risky and proved by time and experience it is a good setup.
But things are a bit more complicated. There are different LEDs, diferent manufacturers, different materials they are made from (impurities in the alloys), different sizes, voltages and currents they work with. My simple 10k rule is overriding all this detailed (crap) stuff and it worked for me so far. But I often thought on a method to actually drive them to their (safe) peak of current and luminosity. I guess is good to say "to their maximum luminosity", but I can make them MoRe luminous but their life shorter, if I am over drive them. For the moment lets say "maximum luminosity" from a safe point of view, when they are not overpowered.
I am thinking a very simple variable current driver made from a GPT(general purpose transistor) ~100ma like bc548 for example, to drive the current directly through a led, without its protection resistor, and gradually rise the current in the led until it's peak luminosity. But I still have the problem of --knowing-- when is the actual (safe) peak limit. One thought is to experiment enough until I get certain, possibly burning up a couple of leds in the process. Gradually writing down their current are drive at, and somehow, their luminosity and heat disipated. I dont have at all any fancy instruments, I am very limited from this point of view. Another aspect, is this question: -Is this an advanced problem to tackle into? Or is a normal thing? I am Not a proffesional electronist, I am a hobbyist in electronics, but an experienced (enough) one. Hehe. I blow up in my life a lot of stuff until I learn better.
I made a circuit based on my original thought with a GPT, voila:
Important components i used: R2=1ohm (or a simple wire). I have 3 ampmeters in the circuit, but I guess in the real circuit I will use 1 ampmeter in line with R2. Pot1=1k.
I also thought on using a LM317 voltage regulator like mister @Jon Chandler suggested for the more powerful current driver, but I think is too much for this LED Tester project here. Correct me if I'm wrong !
My question to you is:
- How do I read a LED peak (safe) limit of current driving? I will be happy to be in the vecinity of that peak, but how do I know it's THE PEAK !? How do I measure a Peak ? And this question is not ONLY for LEDs, but for any other components as well. My intention is to do the exact same thing to a couple of my transistors to check their peak as well, but with the more powerful current driver and Load tester that I already mentioned. Also to some IC's as well, why not. But until then, I want this LED tester Peak Finder solved out. In 1 way or another, orthodox or unortodox methods, I really dont care how, just to get the job done with any means possible (if this problem is not a normal problem usually encountered). I imagine and I guess this is more an industrial problem, or manufacture problem than everyday dude like me or you... Im not completly sure though.
We'll see what you will come with. Success in finding a good solution.
And as always, Thank You ! And happy new year 2022 !
Another reason I am specifically targeting LED's, is because I have a couple batches from different manufacturers, and also diferent colors that works at different voltages per color, and also different package sizes. Mostly smd, some TroughHole, and some Power LEDs.
- Usually, I use a very simple rule to drive a general LED (I don't care what type or what's his name). Put 10k resistor in series and done. I have the certainty of protection; that I will not blow it up, and I can lower the value of the resistor to how much luminosity I want from my LED, in reason. So I play in the safe side with my simple rule. Nothing risky and proved by time and experience it is a good setup.
But things are a bit more complicated. There are different LEDs, diferent manufacturers, different materials they are made from (impurities in the alloys), different sizes, voltages and currents they work with. My simple 10k rule is overriding all this detailed (crap) stuff and it worked for me so far. But I often thought on a method to actually drive them to their (safe) peak of current and luminosity. I guess is good to say "to their maximum luminosity", but I can make them MoRe luminous but their life shorter, if I am over drive them. For the moment lets say "maximum luminosity" from a safe point of view, when they are not overpowered.
I am thinking a very simple variable current driver made from a GPT(general purpose transistor) ~100ma like bc548 for example, to drive the current directly through a led, without its protection resistor, and gradually rise the current in the led until it's peak luminosity. But I still have the problem of --knowing-- when is the actual (safe) peak limit. One thought is to experiment enough until I get certain, possibly burning up a couple of leds in the process. Gradually writing down their current are drive at, and somehow, their luminosity and heat disipated. I dont have at all any fancy instruments, I am very limited from this point of view. Another aspect, is this question: -Is this an advanced problem to tackle into? Or is a normal thing? I am Not a proffesional electronist, I am a hobbyist in electronics, but an experienced (enough) one. Hehe. I blow up in my life a lot of stuff until I learn better.
I made a circuit based on my original thought with a GPT, voila:
Important components i used: R2=1ohm (or a simple wire). I have 3 ampmeters in the circuit, but I guess in the real circuit I will use 1 ampmeter in line with R2. Pot1=1k.
I also thought on using a LM317 voltage regulator like mister @Jon Chandler suggested for the more powerful current driver, but I think is too much for this LED Tester project here. Correct me if I'm wrong !
My question to you is:
- How do I read a LED peak (safe) limit of current driving? I will be happy to be in the vecinity of that peak, but how do I know it's THE PEAK !? How do I measure a Peak ? And this question is not ONLY for LEDs, but for any other components as well. My intention is to do the exact same thing to a couple of my transistors to check their peak as well, but with the more powerful current driver and Load tester that I already mentioned. Also to some IC's as well, why not. But until then, I want this LED tester Peak Finder solved out. In 1 way or another, orthodox or unortodox methods, I really dont care how, just to get the job done with any means possible (if this problem is not a normal problem usually encountered). I imagine and I guess this is more an industrial problem, or manufacture problem than everyday dude like me or you... Im not completly sure though.
We'll see what you will come with. Success in finding a good solution.
And as always, Thank You ! And happy new year 2022 !
Last edited: