What I am trying to do is make a power box where I can plug in something like 10 LED’s into it. I want to use the mini stereo plugs for connecting the LED’s to the box. I was just wondering if that would work or not? Also, could I just bring in a single molex connector to power 10 LED’s or would I need more molex connectors? Also since I’m not very good at wiring stuff, which leg will the red wire hook to and which leg for the black (also need to know where to put the resistor)? Each LED will be wired seperatly so I just need to know what Resistor to get for each one. Thx in advance.

so you're saying you want to use mini-stero plugs for the power? that's pretty creative

the only think, you'd have to use 5v LEDs, or get resistors. most leds are between 1.2v and about 3.5v. so, you'd have to get a resistor between the power and where it splices off to go to the each different jacks.

Ya I was wondering what size resistor I would need. The yellow wire is the 5v right? Anyone know what size resistor I need to put on the LED if I powered it from the 5v line?

Edit: The LED's I'm looking at getting are 5mm and operate on 2.5 - 3v.

Depends on the LEDs. To calculate it yourself, find out the voltage(V) and current(I) for the led, then just use this equation:
R=(5-V)/I
And round to the closest standard value (rounding up will lower the voltage on the LED, thus making sure it isnt too much)

Also, Yellow is 12V, Red is 5V.

I was looking on FrozenCPU.com but they only list the voltage for the LED. Wheres a good place to buy LED's at?

I buy my LEDs on ebay. Picked up 100 ultra-bright blue LEDs for 13 bucks straight from the factory in Hong Kong, with matching resistors for running on 12 volts. I also picked up 50 ultra-bright white LEDs with matching resistors for 12 bucks.

Can't go wrong with that, and only 1 of them was DOA. The rest are so bright it hurts to look at them, even from across the room.

this is what you need....

400V, 1A Micromini Silicon Diodes

They can be purchased at radio shack for $.70 for 2.

If you take a molex connextor and place one of these on a yellow the out put will be good to run alot of leds ( I have had 40 on one with no problems).

I have yet to find a led the will not work with this part.


Oh ya, it is a diode, so look at the box for the proper direction.

Thx man. So just about anything thats 2.5 to 3 volts will take this?

Also I got 20 LED's of ebay for 3 bucks, heres the specs:

Product Description
• Emitted Colour : OCEAN BLUE
• Size (mm) : 3mm
• Lens Colour : Water Clear
• Peak Wave Length (nm) : 465 ~ 470
• Forward Voltage (V) : 3.2 ~ 3.8
• Reverse Current (uA) : <=30
• Luminous Intensity Typ Iv (mcd) : Average in 5000
• Life Rating : 100,000 Hours
• Viewing Angle : 20 ~ 25 Degree
Absolute Maximum Ratings (Ta=25°C)
• Max Power Dissipation : 80mw
• Max Continuous Forward Current : 30mA
• Max Peak Forward Current : 75mA
• Reverse Voltage : 5~6V
• Lead Soldering Temperature : 240°C (<5Sec)
• Operating Temperature Range : -25°C ~ +85°C
• Preservative Temperature Range : -30°C ~ +100°C


anyone know what I need for that?

Also, which leg of the LED does the resistor hook up to and which one does the yellow or red wire go to?

Aherm!! the yellow wire is the 12V one and your setup would look even nicer if you'd wire your resistors in the box before the female jacks and Btw the res. needed for 12V is 475 Ohm and is connected to the + wire.

So if you follow my advice plug your res to the center of the female jacks that will be your + and your minus to the side of the jacks (-). if you plug your male jacks the same, plus tips and minus ring of the male jacks everything will light up like a Xmas tree

Ok, here's an updated diagram. Can someone let me know which resistors to use in each spot (sorry I'm an idiot when it comes to this kind uf stuff)? Oh ya, I hope this diagram makes sense

Here is some 470 Ohm resistors I found at RadioShack. Will these work for the 12v? Link
Now I just need to find a PCB to fit in this Project Box.

I was also thinking of putting a switch inline somewhere so I can turn the LED's off when I dont want them blinding me. Here's the switch I was looking at. For it, do I just run both of the grounds to it or do i need to hook it up a different way?

Why would you want to make one set 12V and another one 5V?
you'll only need diffrent resistors and leds.
The way you did the 12V line you can add as much leds as you want, well as much as your PSU can handle loll and beleive me that'll be a lot

And yes the Radio shrap res. are OK for the 12V.
Sorry i'm not familiar with the 5V part (resistors leds) i always use 12V for lighting stuff cause Hdd's and mobo,CD etc. uses 5V and i never wanted to tax that line (rail)

Oh yes and the long leg of the led is the + positive.

If they are used and legs are somewhat not the right lenth, use a mobo battery to test them without resistor,battery being flat put the legs of the led one on each side if you are on the wrong side the led will not light up and the + side of the battery will tell you which leg will be the + leg when it lights up

OK, so scrap the whole 5v part and add it all to the 12v? Guess it will make things a little easier. Now I hope I can get at least 10 Mini Jacks mounted in one of those Project Boxes.

I'll post some pics as soon as I get some of it together (gotta wait for my LED's to come in though )

ok well i just did a similar project. i used 5mm (size) 2volt LEDS most leds are 2 volts, i used 260 Ohm resistors in series with LEDS, i had teh LEDS share a common ground (flat side of LED, or short lead) and then i had resistor then power. each resistor had its own power (as mien where powered through a LPT1 port, Printer port) which is 5volts. i threw a switch into teh 1 ground cable and that will turn teh whole shebang off. no what do you wan tthes LEDs to do? from what i gathered they are going ot be always on? (solid) unless turned off? no will you be doign all point to point wiring, or modifying a board to suit ur needs? PM me with any other questions as i am very knowlegable in this area.

hmm I need to do some led stuff too. I have a question though. I have 2 led's hooked up to a 12v line but I don't have any resistors or anything hooked up. is this ok? they have been on for like 6 months. I think they may be 12v or something. I got them from work and peaple hook them up to theirr choppers 12v battery and stuff. not sure what they are.

they gotta eb 12V ones cause if they wernt they wouldent last 6 minutes.

Ya, if you go 1 volt over the maximum they go up in smoke and I actually had one fly at me once

lol, most iv had is a yellowone turned red then exploded. could have been the 12V i put to it too.....

If you dont want any surprizes get the 5mm ones they sell everywhere they're always the right voltage and the brightest (when you get the ultra bright ones loll) and the 470-Ohm res. are right smack in the middle of the spectrum they can handle, so they will last almost for ever and will give good light .
I have some in my old plexi psu that are hooked up that way (12V and 470-Ohm res.) and were soldered there 2 years ago, still as bright as the first day

well the LEDs that you buy at ratshack are mostly all 2volt unless you buy specialty ones. now to figure out your resistor use this formula R=E/I where R=resistance, E=voltage, and I=current. most LEDs are 20Ma (milliamps) also you LEDs will run with a lower voltage, this will prolong their life, but wont be as bright.

i may have to check this, but i think the formula for LED resistors is like this:

R = (Vsupply - Vforwardvoltagedrop) / Iled

edit: i checked it, i'm right http://www.kpsec.freeuk.com/components/led.htm#calculate


Vsupply = 12V from your PSU
Vforwardvoltagedrop = the forward voltage drop of the LED
Iled = the current needed for the LED (in AMPS, so 30mA = 0.03 Amps)
R = ohms

google for LED resistor calculator for a nice easy type in the values solution

lol or u can do it the long way lik me with a calculator and a pencil.