I am working on a project concerning the creation of a LED matrix (4 x 6) but without using a micro-controller. It will be powered by a 13V battery and the leds will be controlled by a switch. My question is about the resistors. Should I use a resistor for each led or a resistor for each line and if the latter should it be placed at the start or the end of each line ?
\$\begingroup\$
\$\endgroup\$
8
-
\$\begingroup\$ get LEDs that are designed for automotive use and connect them all in parallel \$\endgroup\$– jsotolaCommented Oct 14, 2019 at 16:12
-
\$\begingroup\$ Many of the common LED strip lights have groups of three LEDs and a resistor connected in series, with many of these groups connected in parallel. \$\endgroup\$– Peter BennettCommented Oct 14, 2019 at 16:14
-
\$\begingroup\$ You don't give enough information for a sensible answer to be presented. What is the forward voltage of your LEDs? How many are in series to be driven by the 13V? Is the 13V a car battery (voltage up to 14V or a regulated supply? \$\endgroup\$– Jack CreaseyCommented Oct 14, 2019 at 16:25
-
\$\begingroup\$ The battery is a car battery and I want to have 4 rows of 6 LEDs each \$\endgroup\$– Christos XygkosCommented Oct 14, 2019 at 16:30
-
\$\begingroup\$ As per the first comment some LED modules for fancy automotive lighting come with resistors already in the modules. There are some that even allow you to cut them shorter and still run directly from a 12V source. \$\endgroup\$– NeddCommented Oct 14, 2019 at 16:39
|
Show 3 more comments
1 Answer
\$\begingroup\$
\$\endgroup\$
3
If you are controlling each LED independently then each should have its own resistor. If you are controlling a whole line/string at a time then using a single resistor per line may work out well enough.
Position does not matter as long as the resistor is in series with each LED or string. The only issue that might change this is if there is a chance you could short an LED line to ground and cause an over current condition, in that case you might want to place the resistor(s) on the + supply side.
-
\$\begingroup\$ Basically I want all the LEDs on at the same time and I've seen designs with a single resistor either on the start or the end of the line. \$\endgroup\$ Commented Oct 14, 2019 at 16:17
-
\$\begingroup\$ If all are always on at the same time then you may get away with one resistor for several LEDs. There will be a point where the current is difficult to control with too many LEDs in series, (the resistor needs to be lower and lower). \$\endgroup\$– NeddCommented Oct 14, 2019 at 16:28
-
\$\begingroup\$ And if this is used at "automotive" temperatures, it will be much harder to control. \$\endgroup\$– rdtscCommented Oct 14, 2019 at 18:13