This place has Blue LED's for $0.99

I just ordered 30 of them.

While your there check out the UV Fan and cords...Sweeet!

ViperZ, you might have inadvertently shed some light on the whole LED voltage issue! I checked out specs on all of their 5mm red LEDs, and all of them have voltage ratings with a maximum of 2.5V. I'd have to assume my red LEDs are comparable to at least one of those 4 kinds, as the price I paid was similar (under a dollar each). No wonder 5V blew one up!

Here's what I found out about 5mm LEDs:

Red: Voltage = 1.9V - 2.5V
White: Voltage = 3.5V - 4V
Blue: Voltage = 3.5V - 4V
UV: Voltage = 3.8V - 4.2V

In each case, draw was 20 mA.

Now, I'm sure we can come up with an answer for "what resistor to use", now that we know the voltage and the amperage. All I need to know is where's the best place in a simple wiring schematic to put the resistor in question, in a simple serial array.

Thanks ViperZ!

Huh?... Wha? Oh Yeah..... exactly why I posted it

ViperZ I don't know what most people's blue LEDs look like, but although I love case-mod for it's great resources, their blue LEDs need a little work. I've noticed their blue LEDs look like more of an aqua color. Thankfully, I only used one blue LED from them on my power switch and it's VERY bright. I still like it, just warning those who think they'll be getting the deeper blue.

I will say though, everything else I've ordered from them is great and will use them plenty more cause their prices rock. Heck, this LED was well worth the 99 cents. If you want a really deep blue, but not very bright you can get some from Hosfelt. Be aware of the shipping here. I've only ordered once from them but I bought 7 blue LEDs for 99 cents there, but they charged nearly $7 for shipping. If you're looking for bulk grab em from Hosfelt.

Thanks for that Hgoale. I hope they are deep blue. I have a few Radio Shack blues that are the shade I want, however they are a 5V 20mA LED. I'll look forward to comparing them.

This is the what they are showing



Is the one you used the same 2200 MCD 3.5V / 20 mA?


I'll check out the other link as well, thanks!

Well I bought the one with the HDD tail wire. My friend however bought the same ones you did and put them in his keyboard and they were the same aqua blue. The ones I bought at Hosfelt were the 250MCD for 99 cents. They're a little brighter than my old LEDs, but they are a great blue color.

Me can beat those prices. Theser are 3mm though: www.mouser.com

Part #78-TLHB4200, non-diffused lens, 50 mcd, $.60

Part #78-TLHB4400, Blue diffused lens, 15 mcd, $.61

Perfect for floppy CD-ROM, and DVD-ROM.

Humm... at 15 and 50 mcd those LED hardly seem bright enough. We want something that is in the 1000+ mcd range.

Here is an even cheaper source $.035 however they are only 200 mcd.

That's why they'd be good for your drives - you want them as indicators - not as flashlights

Quote: Originally posted by nleahcim That's why they'd be good for your drives - you want them as indicators - not as flashlights

Who the hell said I wanted them for drive lights?

So yourself, some people

If I had wanted dim wit LED's I would have bought them for $0.35, with my second link. Half of what you "Me so Cheaper" about

LOL you spanked him up good, VZ!

LOL Coel!

Hgoale, thanks for that info. I contacted case-mods and cancelled my order, for even though I hear the aqua is a nice color, I want the deep blue.

I found a place in Canada that has some for $2.75 and comes with a 680 Ohm resistor.

Again good info Hgoale!

Yea no prob, gotta look out for the fellow pimps. They are fine LEDs, but I just thought you had the feeling you wanted a deeper blue.

Quote: Originally posted by ViperZ I found a place in Canada that has some for $2.75 and comes with a 680 Ohm resistor.

The ones I bought when I was on vacation in Alberta, from a store called Arrow Electronics, were about the same price (I think I paid $1.95 each) are that deep blue color. The same ones you can see on my Charger case and my LED array of the Hot-Rod case. I see a lot of blue LEDs that are this blinding pale blue color (in many cases I think it's because the people are overcontrasting their images to hell in Photoshop).

One kind I have are interesting; the bulbs are amber-colored (making me think they were amber LEDs, duh!) but when I gave 'em 2V, they were bright red! (I thought maybe they might be bi-colored LEDs, if I gave 'em 4V, they would glow amber instead of red; but wasn't willing to fry one just to find out.)

And lastly, considering my recent 'phun with LEDs', make sure that you use the small 'arm' inside the bulb as your positive indicator, not the length of the LED tails. I have a group of green, yellow, and red LEDs that all are reversed (the longer tail leads to the bigger, L-shaped arm inside the bulb, and are therefore negative instead of positive).

I'm not sure if the photos are shopped or not for I notice my Blue LED's are never as intense or deep in a photo as they are in real life. It may be that the soucre is is so bright that it is over saturating the CCD detector or film of the camera.

Arrow Electronics you say...? I'll have to check them out, that's a good price. I got each one with a 680 ohm resistor ready to be wired up to a 12V source @ $2.75 a piece, not the best price, however certainly not the worst.

That's pretty bad when they mix up the anode (long) and cathode (short) ends, it's confusing enough most times. I always check the polarity of the LED with my Fluke 77 Multi-Meter in "Diode" mode, to determine which end is which.

A LED will vary in color as you change the voltage. That sounds like an interesting one you have there. I love the water clear LED's!

Now if only I can find a source for cheap White LED's... I love those and have been collecting a few hear and there, but would like a hand full

Quote: Originally posted by ViperZ Who the hell said I wanted them for drive lights? So yourself, some people If I had wanted dim wit LED's I would have bought them for $0.35, with my second link. Half of what you "Me so Cheaper" about

You didn't say what you wanted them for. Last time I even consider helping you.

Quote: Originally posted by nleahcim ... Last time I even consider helping you.

LMAO!
Ha! Viper! He said he's not going to help you anymore!!!! Oh Man! What will you ever do???

LOL Duck!

Quote: Originally posted by nleahcim You didn't say what you wanted them for. Last time I even consider helping you.

Well when you come on with this "Me can beat those prices" stuff, with LED's that are not even in the same classification of what I'm presenting...

I give you the benefit of doubt and point out that those LED's you provided are quite dim for my intended purpose, I'm looking for something in the 1000+ mcd range.

I then provide a link for LED's that are rated at 200 mcd, more than double in intensity and at half the price of your "Me can beat those prices", you still had my respect at that point.

However when you respond with this "you want them as indicators - not as flashlights shaking your finger as if you know what I want and need, using it as a weak attempt to rationalize your position, you loss my respect.

How does that show you can beat those prices of a 2200 mcd LED with a 15-50 mcd LED? Their not even in the same classification. How does it show you can beat the prices of the 200 mcd LED's I presented @ $0.35?

You used an assumed requirement to compensate for the dim LED's you presented, you do not address that fact that I presented 200 mcd LED's for half the price of yours, and then procede to lecture me on what and how I should use an LED for....?!?!?

It's not that I did not welcome your help, I did not welcome your attitude and assumtions about it.

Quote: Originally posted by ViperZ Arrow Electronics you say...? I'll have to check them out, that's a good price. I got each one with a 680 ohm resistor ready to be wired up to a 12V source @ $2.75 a piece, not the best price, however certainly not the worst. Now if only I can find a source for cheap White LED's... I love those and have been collecting a few hear and there, but would like a hand full

Well, I'd say $2.75 including the resistor is a good price too. The ones I bought had no resistors. Saves you some trouble, even if you'd have to remove the resistors if you intended to use more than one LED in an array. I have my receipt here, actually. The blue LED part # is MV8B11, 95 cents each. I picked up 10. They seem very nice and blue to me, definitely not aqua.
Check them out, I got my white ones there too. Those were part # MV8W00, for $2.52 each. Pretty unbeatable prices, I'd say.

Thanks for the PN's Coel. I went to the Arrow site and they had not listing for Edmonton or Calgary. I have frinds in Calgary I gould get to pick up the whites for me if there is an Arrow there.

Have to get a hand full of those!