How bright is too bright?

Kleiner · 22-August-02, 01:28 AM

When it comes to LEDs what is the range of MPA that you can look at carefully. I am looking to purchase a set of blue LEDs to light up my case at the top similar to what WIXX did but a little different, and those would not actually be stared into. But I am planning on mounting a set of red LEDs around my newly chromed processor fan and what range of MPA should I be looking for for the seperate projects. This is where I think I will purchase them, unless Radioshack is running a good deal right now. ;-)
http://www.case-mod.com/store/default.php?cPath=33_37

TykSak · 22-August-02, 08:24 AM

Get the highest mcd you can find if its to bright for you you can always use a bigger resistor to dim it

For a frame of reference:
1000 mcd = 1 candela = the brightness of a candles flame viewed from 12 inches (about 30cm)

But remember the LEDs have directional light unlike a candle

Kleiner · 22-August-02, 11:34 PM

So should I get the 10000 mcd one then? Because i fear if i look into it i will blind myself, and since I know extremely little about electric circuits... O well, I can figure this out, thanks for the input.

OMFG_dude_WTF · 22-August-02, 11:51 PM

I have used superbright LEDs up to 5000 mcd......I have looked into them many of times.....I literally see no problems LOL.

You only really need to worry about UV LEDs. UV is what messes your eyes up. Plain old LEDs would have a warning label on them if they were dangerous to your eyes. If you still fear them, just don't look directly into them for more than a few seconds at a time.

Kleiner · 23-August-02, 02:07 AM

SO, what you're saying is basically it is like the sun, its way to bright to stare into but as long as you don't do it for too long its ok? 4 of them I will use to reflect off my newly chromed Processor fan, do you forsee this as a problem?

carbongraphite · 23-August-02, 02:51 AM

its too bright when it can burn a hole in a popsicle stick

but seriously its too bright when you cant stand it. i bought some blue LEDs @ 1100 mcd and i think they arent bright enough to be flashlights like i wanted but they are too bright as indicators. i cant look at my new blue keyboard lights directly. i remember when i first saw blue LEDs for sale. like $5 each and the brightest little things i have ever seen. im very glad the price has gone down. blue LEDs in everything is now possible.

carbongraphite · 23-August-02, 02:54 AM

my bad

they are 1980 mcd. id edit it but i cant

Kleiner · 23-August-02, 03:20 AM

I am looking at 4 Blue LEDs at 2200mcd for $.99 each, is this not bright enough to reflect off my Chrome painted fan?
Advise, Thoughts, Concerns?

OMFG_dude_WTF · 23-August-02, 04:34 AM

Yes they will be bright enough at the rated volatge. I have 3x 2600 mcd LEDs and they light up my case nicely.

2200 mcd is very bright and should work great.

Kleiner · 23-August-02, 11:52 AM

Thanks for all your help, now all I have to do is figure out how to wire them when they arrive... **Sigh** Do you know any good websites to teach new-goers?

TykSak · 23-August-02, 11:55 AM

I suggest you wire them like this

I you run into problems or have more questions just ask

ViperZ · 23-August-02, 12:17 PM

Here is a simpler drawing for those that don't recognize a Diode icon :p

Wired in Series.

Handy Dandy Resistor Calculator

1000 mcd is what I would call as a minimum to be classified as "Superbrite".

Coelacanth · 23-August-02, 12:46 PM

Quote:


	Originally posted by OMFG_dude_WTF I have used superbright LEDs up to 5000 mcd......I have looked into them many of times.....I literally see no problems LOL.

OMFG, how many fingers am I holding up? LOL

carbongraphite · 24-August-02, 04:10 AM

i just finished building my audio amplifier project and besides i need a bigger pot (varible resistor) my blue LED indicator was too bright. i am haveing trouble seeing through my right eye now. its only rated 1980 mcd and i didnt evenlook at it for 1 second. it should go away in the morning. ill dip the LED in acetone to difuse the lens.

Hgoale · 24-August-02, 04:50 AM

You can also take some sandpaper to that, it works like a charm for spreading/blocking some of that light. Just make sure you don't sand down to the metal, sand it till it's cloudy looking.

Wixx · 25-August-02, 12:07 PM

Of course, the brighter the LED the smaller the viewing angle is, so you don't actually see the brightness unless you look at it head on. 1000 mcd is very bright, anything above that is overkill.

carbongraphite · 25-August-02, 08:36 PM

more ohms solves my problems

Kleiner · 25-August-02, 11:00 PM

Say If I used my LEDs to point at the fan instead of on the fan and away. That would mean since it is directional light that I wouldn't have issues with it burning my retinas. Basically as long as I don't stare into it I am fine....right?

OMFG_dude_WTF · 25-August-02, 11:22 PM

You wont burn your eyes out dude. The only LED to fear is a UV LEDs, which are fairly difficult to find ATM. Stop fearing them...they won't hurt you.......we all use them here without a prob. My 2600 mcd glare in my eyes alot....it is just the same as looking into a flashlight in a dark room.....there are no threatening light waves being emitted.....except on a UV LED, which is not what you have.

My first post in this thread was a joke....which was "I see no problems". LOL

carbongraphite · 26-August-02, 12:38 AM

i got an idea. where is that digi key catolog?
ok a bunch of smd (surface mount) LEDs on a simple eteched PCB. you also need a small oven or a good steady hand. i think you get what i want to do. a LED bar. most SMD LEDs are clear and fairly bright, and low priced.

22-August-02, 01:28 AM		#1 (permalink)
Kleiner Apex Techie II	How bright is too bright? When it comes to LEDs what is the range of MPA that you can look at carefully. I am looking to purchase a set of blue LEDs to light up my case at the top similar to what WIXX did but a little different, and those would not actually be stared into. But I am planning on mounting a set of red LEDs around my newly chromed processor fan and what range of MPA should I be looking for for the seperate projects. This is where I think I will purchase them, unless Radioshack is running a good deal right now. ;-) http://www.case-mod.com/store/default.php?cPath=33_37

22-August-02, 08:24 AM		#2 (permalink)
TykSak Apex Master Tech	Get the highest mcd you can find if its to bright for you you can always use a bigger resistor to dim it For a frame of reference: 1000 mcd = 1 candela = the brightness of a candles flame viewed from 12 inches (about 30cm) But remember the LEDs have directional light unlike a candle Last edited by TykSak; 22-August-02 at 08:26 AM..

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22-August-02, 11:34 PM		#3 (permalink)
Kleiner Apex Techie II	So should I get the 10000 mcd one then? Because i fear if i look into it i will blind myself, and since I know extremely little about electric circuits... O well, I can figure this out, thanks for the input.

22-August-02, 11:51 PM		#4 (permalink)
OMFG_dude_WTF Pro HTML Hoe	I have used superbright LEDs up to 5000 mcd......I have looked into them many of times.....I literally see no problems LOL. You only really need to worry about UV LEDs. UV is what messes your eyes up. Plain old LEDs would have a warning label on them if they were dangerous to your eyes. If you still fear them, just don't look directly into them for more than a few seconds at a time.

23-August-02, 02:07 AM		#5 (permalink)
Kleiner Apex Techie II	SO, what you're saying is basically it is like the sun, its way to bright to stare into but as long as you don't do it for too long its ok? 4 of them I will use to reflect off my newly chromed Processor fan, do you forsee this as a problem?

23-August-02, 02:51 AM		#6 (permalink)
carbongraphite Pow - Hoe playa	its too bright when it can burn a hole in a popsicle stick but seriously its too bright when you cant stand it. i bought some blue LEDs @ 1100 mcd and i think they arent bright enough to be flashlights like i wanted but they are too bright as indicators. i cant look at my new blue keyboard lights directly. i remember when i first saw blue LEDs for sale. like $5 each and the brightest little things i have ever seen. im very glad the price has gone down. blue LEDs in everything is now possible.

23-August-02, 02:54 AM		#7 (permalink)
carbongraphite Pow - Hoe playa	my bad they are 1980 mcd. id edit it but i cant

23-August-02, 03:20 AM		#8 (permalink)
Kleiner Apex Techie II	I am looking at 4 Blue LEDs at 2200mcd for $.99 each, is this not bright enough to reflect off my Chrome painted fan? Advise, Thoughts, Concerns?

23-August-02, 04:34 AM		#9 (permalink)
OMFG_dude_WTF Pro HTML Hoe	Yes they will be bright enough at the rated volatge. I have 3x 2600 mcd LEDs and they light up my case nicely. 2200 mcd is very bright and should work great.

23-August-02, 11:52 AM		#10 (permalink)
Kleiner Apex Techie II	Thanks for all your help, now all I have to do is figure out how to wire them when they arrive... Sigh Do you know any good websites to teach new-goers?

23-August-02, 11:55 AM		#11 (permalink)
TykSak Apex Master Tech	I suggest you wire them like this I you run into problems or have more questions just ask

23-August-02, 12:17 PM		#12 (permalink)
ViperZ KAT-HOE	Here is a simpler drawing for those that don't recognize a Diode icon :p Wired in Series. Handy Dandy Resistor Calculator 1000 mcd is what I would call as a minimum to be classified as "Superbrite".

24-August-02, 04:10 AM		#14 (permalink)
carbongraphite Pow - Hoe playa	i just finished building my audio amplifier project and besides i need a bigger pot (varible resistor) my blue LED indicator was too bright. i am haveing trouble seeing through my right eye now. its only rated 1980 mcd and i didnt evenlook at it for 1 second. it should go away in the morning. ill dip the LED in acetone to difuse the lens.

24-August-02, 04:50 AM		#15 (permalink)
Hgoale Apex Master Tech	You can also take some sandpaper to that, it works like a charm for spreading/blocking some of that light. Just make sure you don't sand down to the metal, sand it till it's cloudy looking.

25-August-02, 12:07 PM		#16 (permalink)
Wixx Modd-God	Of course, the brighter the LED the smaller the viewing angle is, so you don't actually see the brightness unless you look at it head on. 1000 mcd is very bright, anything above that is overkill.

25-August-02, 08:36 PM		#17 (permalink)
carbongraphite Pow - Hoe playa	more ohms solves my problems

25-August-02, 11:00 PM		#18 (permalink)
Kleiner Apex Techie II	Say If I used my LEDs to point at the fan instead of on the fan and away. That would mean since it is directional light that I wouldn't have issues with it burning my retinas. Basically as long as I don't stare into it I am fine....right?

25-August-02, 11:22 PM		#19 (permalink)
OMFG_dude_WTF Pro HTML Hoe	You wont burn your eyes out dude. The only LED to fear is a UV LEDs, which are fairly difficult to find ATM. Stop fearing them...they won't hurt you.......we all use them here without a prob. My 2600 mcd glare in my eyes alot....it is just the same as looking into a flashlight in a dark room.....there are no threatening light waves being emitted.....except on a UV LED, which is not what you have. My first post in this thread was a joke....which was "I see no problems". LOL

26-August-02, 12:38 AM		#20 (permalink)
carbongraphite Pow - Hoe playa	i got an idea. where is that digi key catolog? ok a bunch of smd (surface mount) LEDs on a simple eteched PCB. you also need a small oven or a good steady hand. i think you get what i want to do. a LED bar. most SMD LEDs are clear and fairly bright, and low priced.