Basic Led selection.

Doomguy42 · Nov 25, 2019

Hi, I'd like to replace some LEDs on some 90's boards I'm repairing. I'm not sure what type of voltage or wattage they should be though. When I have replaced them modern ones seem super bright and light up everything like an Xmas tree.
I'd like to use them just as visual indicators as intended so a lot less bright. Does anyone have any recommendations or help?

Nigel Goodwin · Nov 25, 2019

Are the LED's faulty?, if not why are you replacing them?.

Modern LED's are much brighter than older ones, so you would need to increase their series resistors (considerably) to match the brightness of the old ones.

Visitor · Nov 25, 2019

Make sure you use diffused LEDs for indicators, not the type with clear lens. The can be blindingly bright.

Doomguy42 · Nov 25, 2019

Nigel Goodwin said:
Are the LED's faulty?, if not why are you replacing them?.

Modern LED's are much brighter than older ones, so you would need to increase their series resistors (considerably) to match the brightness of the old ones.

Hi, yeah some are often faulty. It's annoying because I have to lift them from other boards... as the modern ones I have look silly.
These are quite collectable and I'd ideally like to change the colour too just to add something to my repaired boards. I'll have a look at the schematic.
Thanks

Doomguy42 · Nov 25, 2019

Visitor said:
Make sure you use diffused LEDs for indicators, not the type with clear lens. The can be blindingly bright.

Thanks I'll have a look... I thought they'd still be something on the market available that's suitable

Nigel Goodwin · Nov 25, 2019

Doomguy42 said:
Thanks I'll have a look... I thought they'd still be something on the market available that's suitable

No, why would they still make old low spec devices?.

It's simple enough to change the series resistors - and bear in mind, if you change the colours you need different resistors for different colours as well.

Basic Led selection.

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