I used to dabble in electronics in high school, but now I'm old and I don't trust my memory or my judgement for even a simple project.
So that's why I'm here asking for help.

This might be a little long-winded so here's what I need help with; how do I hook up a Radio Shack "bicolor LED" to the motor control I built, so that when I switch the motor to run forward the LED glows green, and when the motor runs backward it glows red? Packaging specs for the LED to follow.

In 2012 I built a DC motor with a built-in rectifier that allows it to run on 115VAC from the wall. I wanted to equip the motor to run in both forward and reverse directions, depending on which way a DPDT switch is thrown. To accomplish that, I extracted the rectifier (a Taitron TB66) from the motor's end cap and stuck it in a project box along with the DPDT switch, AC hookup, and fuse. All components were purchased in 2012, including the LED. Motor with integral rectifier was purchased from Surplus Center. It's been working great ever since.

But as I said, I'd like to add the LED to the project box not because I need it, but just because it would look cool.

PICTURES:

HOW IT LOOKS FOR THE PAST 14 YEARS (IT DRIVES MY WATCHMAKER'S LATHE):
THE BOTTOM PIC IS THE DIAGRAM I USED TO WIRE IT UP:
View attachment 361918View attachment 361920View attachment 361921View attachment 361922View attachment 361918View attachment 361920View attachment 361921View attachment 361922View attachment 361922

View attachment 361920
View attachment 361918View attachment 361920View attachment 361921View attachment 361922

 

Sorry, I don't know why my pics posted twice. I tried to correct it but no luck.
Also I don't know if I posted enough info re: the LED and the rectifier. I have the specs here, let me know what else I need to post.

 

Is the LED 2 pin or 3?

 

how do I hook up a Radio Shack "bicolor LED" to the motor control I built, so that when I switch the motor to run forward the LED glows green, and when the motor runs backward it glows red? Packaging specs for the LED to follow.

No LED specs provided, so don't know if this is compatible:

The working voltage of any 1/4W 1W resistor should be sufficient.

BTW, the voltages involved are lethal.

EDIT: note that the resistor needs to be at least 1W.

 

As an addition to the post by @dl324 , you most probabally require an earth GND conductor to any metalic part of the unit.

 

Is the LED 2 pin or 3?

The LED is a 2 pin.

 

The LED is a 2 pin.

The circuit I posted is compatible.

 

hi Doug, @cazksboy
Sorry about the photo images failure.
Please post them again.

Moderation

 

No LED specs provided, so don't know if this is compatible:
View attachment 361924
The working voltage of any 1/4W resistor should be sufficient.

BTW, the voltages involved are lethal.

I kept the original LED packaging. It's a 2-pin LED, and the following specs are printed on the packaging:
2.8VDC
30mA
2.5mcd
Red and Green

 

As an addition to the post by @dl324 , you most probabally require an earth GND conductor to any metalic part of the unit.

Thanks.

 

2.8VDC
30mA

I chose an operating current of about 5mA. The LEDs aren't very bright, so you may need to increase the current.

 

hi Doug,
Sorry about the photo images failure.
Please post them again.

Moderation

I'll try again.

The diode rectifier in situ:

 

Hmm, pics seem to have loaded correctly this time.

 

The working voltage of any 1/4W resistor should be sufficient.

I'm not so sure about a 1/4W resistor, even at 33k and 5mA, which is nearly a watt?
From the LED specs, I would be trying a 10k resistor rated at least 2W, maybe 5W to be conservative.

 

IView attachment 361929View attachment 361932

Nice build

 

I'm not so sure about a 1/4W resistor, even at 33k and 5mA, which is nearly a watt?

You're right. Should be a 1W resistor. Brain fade.

 

The resistor is going to get pretty warm, and its a tight box, so take care that it doesn't touch the plastic.

 

Nice build

Thank you sir. I do what I can!

 

Thanks guys, much appreciated.
I went through the comments and appended dl324's circuit diagram:
Two questions:
1. For R1, does it make any difference which value I install?
2. It looks like the two leads powering the LED bridge the switch, which is a DPDT. Of the 6 terminals on the back of my DPDT switch, which two should the circuit be connected to? Please forgive my lack of grasp of fundamentals. I can follow directions without understanding why - I'd rather understand the reasoning, but for now I just need somebody to say "just solder THIS lead to THIS terminal, and then solder THAT lead to THAT terminal".
Thanks again....

 

Put the resistor in series with the LED and connect to the output to the motor.

The connection marked "to brushes" in your diagram.