LED for compass light

[oldvarnish]

My compass light(Plastimo) has ceased to function. This seems a good time to replace it with a red LED.
I had a Google but the vast number of LEDs on offer is perplexing.
Anyone done this, and has advice to offer?

 

[Rigger Mortice]

The bulb in my Plastimo is white but there's no reason to not have a different colour.
LED's are so cheap it may be worth trying a few out but FWIW LED's are usually a lot more directional than ordinary bulbs. It's possible that whole compass won't be evenly lit.

Ps Don't forget to twist the wires of any LED you use to reduce the possibility of creating a magnetic field.

 

[nigelmercier]

FWIW LED's are usually a lot more directional than ordinary bulbs...

Yes, probably worth looking for a wide-angle type, such as this. You may want to increase the resistor, or put two LEDs in series.

 

[ghostlymoron]

My compass light(Plastimo) has ceased to function. This seems a good time to replace it with a red LED.
I had a Google but the vast number of LEDs on offer is perplexing.
Anyone done this, and has advice to offer?

I've got lots of white ones that I bought to repair a music centre display several years ago (if you can remember what a music centre is). I'll pop a couple in the post if you like.

 

[noelex]

Yes I did mine and it works well.

Any red 5mm led will be fine. Fine tune the resistor to get the brightness yo want or even better have a few different levels.
The led will typically be very underdriven for the required brightness.
A resistor of about 1k ohms is a good place to start (about 10ma)

Put the resistor in series. If its too bright increase the resistor and vice versa.

 

[nigelmercier]

A resistor of about 1k ohms is a good place to start (about 10ma)...

+1

 

[lenseman]

For those not near a Maplins type shop, this might be a good supplier for you?

They even supply suitable resistors.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10pcs-5mm...al_Components_Supplies_ET&hash=item4d05ed9161



.

 

[prv]

Worth noting there is such a thing as "12 volt LEDs", which I think just means they have the resistor (or possibly some kind of regulator?) built in. Might be easier to wire up, especially in a small space inside a compass?

Pete

 

[sailorman]

My compass light(Plastimo) has ceased to function. This seems a good time to replace it with a red LED.
I had a Google but the vast number of LEDs on offer is perplexing.
Anyone done this, and has advice to offer?

My Ritchie light went duff
i went into Maplis & bought 2 x red & 2 x green 12v single LEDs. they cost pence

 

[oldvarnish]

thank you, everybody. I'm off to Maplins - possibly my favourite shop

 

[Conachair]

thank you, everybody. I'm off to Maplins - possibly my favourite shop

Me too.

While you're in there these might be worth a look..

http://www.maplin.co.uk/batteries-and-power/batteries/rechargeable-batteries

 

[nigelmercier]

For those not near a Maplins type shop, this might be a good supplier for you?

Same item I linked to in #3. Great minds think alike.