RC car Hooking LEDs in series? +knightrider lights?

Thread Starter

stanman11

Joined Nov 23, 2010
228
I gutted out an rc 4x4 and im swaping the electronics and theres an extra power output and I want to use that to hook up 4 LED lights.
My question is how do I connect LEds in series with out losing power?
Do I place something in between the LEDS?
 

SgtWookie

Joined Jul 17, 2007
22,230
Hello Stanman,

You didn't say what voltage is available, nor what the specifications are of your LEDs.

We need to know what the typical Vf (forward voltage) is for your LEDs at their rated current.

We also need to know what voltage is available at your "extra power output".

If you want a "night rider" type of effect, you will need to buy a couple of ICs and build a circuit.
 

Thread Starter

stanman11

Joined Nov 23, 2010
228
Im not sure what the output is. I dont have a Multi meter here. Left it outside in the rain.

The LEDS Im not sure either as the were on a different rc car.
I was going to run a resistor regardless.
I'm using a 9.6v that runs the motors and electronics.

they seem to lose brightness being connected in series normally though
 

Wendy

Joined Mar 24, 2008
23,415
We also need a schematic of what you are trying to. You can only have 2 blue LEDs per chain with 9.6V, and that is assuming you have the full voltage. LEDs are must have resistors.

A schematic sure would be nice.
 

Wendy

Joined Mar 24, 2008
23,415
White and blue are basically the same kind. Typically they drop 3.6 volts. Are all these LEDs in series together, or just the two?
 

Thread Starter

stanman11

Joined Nov 23, 2010
228
I took the electronics out of a tyco typhoon hovercraft.
its has a 3 motor hook up.
1 big motor 2 small motors.
The big motor runs on its own once power is turned on.
the other 2 motors only when you work the remote.

The LEDS will replace motor 1.
 

Thread Starter

stanman11

Joined Nov 23, 2010
228
I cant tell but it looks like this on the original board.

REAR Lights yellow yellow black blck are the wires and it connects as:::
yellow to yellow to board:: black to black to board

FRONT LEDS RED and GREEM
RED connects nect to the rear yeally.

ok screw this give me 15 min to gear up and take the board out of its water proffing inhousment



OK IT DOESNT OPEN
They seem to connect side by side but not sure if they actually connect together.
I doubt they connect together.
there has to be a power amp or mosfet chip in between some where
 
Last edited:

Thread Starter

stanman11

Joined Nov 23, 2010
228
no Im simply switching boards. but instead of 2 channels connecting leds I need to use 1 channel because. The LEDS came off the board im taking out
 

Thread Starter

stanman11

Joined Nov 23, 2010
228
I got everything hooked up and working except for the LEDS But I ran into a problem.

I had to take the on switch off the board because it was causing clearance issues.
I soldered and external one on but its not working maybe this will work or not?

ok it goes from:
battery +to board
B - to onbaord switch.

New switch

Batter to board
B- to where the switch was. But the old switch is 3 prong
So one proing is not hooked up.
If I connect that extra prong to ground on the board will it work?

ok that worked im good to go
 
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