So, for an upcoming project I want to work on, I want to use some LED's. In my collection of electronic gooides, I have a fishing tackle box full of assorted LEDs I've collected over the years. Some are new that came in electronics "grab bag" assortments, some are pulls from equipment I found that I dissassembled and stripped for parts, and plenty are from my computer modding days (which aren't really done with, just statisfied at the moment.)
Annnnnyway...I have the split up by color, size, and type. But, I had this elusive set of about 50 or more LED's that are clear, varying sizes, and I don't know what color they will shine at. (Some could even be infrared)
I want to start testing them, but since LEDs will run at different voltages based on color and size I don't want to blow any up.
I know a save voltage to apply is about 2.5v.
What I'd really REALLY like, is to build a 12V powered rig that is capable of varied voltage. So, a 12V input with a rehostat would work.
BUT, how would I account for the amp draw of the LEDs? Would a rehostat of sufficient amperage capacity work? (BTW, LED's only take mA's of power, so any rheostat should work...but what if I want to user this for slightly higher powered items?)
To get true varied voltage, is a simple rheostat sufficeint? Or should I try to build something more complex with a true adjustable voltage regulator in it?
My thought is that according to Ohm's law, when I set my rheostat and see I'm using 2.7v to power something, and then I put something of higher amperage, I will not see 2.7v for the same resistance, right?? I could be way off here.
I'm getting a bit rusty on this stuff I guess. Anyway, any ideas the best way to build this, hopefully with gutted items? (I have boxes of electronic junk so I planned to build it off stuff I can find there.)
Thanks!
BTW for what it's worth, this LED project I want to do is actually Marauder related...