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Stuart_B - 8/8/08 at 12:56 PM

hi all, the way i rember led, is that curent can only flow one way and if you resvse it it will nort work, but will it harm my led hella rear lights?

thanks

stuart

02GF74 - 8/8/08 at 01:34 PM

yes, LEDs are directional.

They allow current when wired up one wayand in doing so light up. Wired the other way, no current will pass.

Your lamps should not be damaged unless you exceed the maximum reverse voltage of the LEDs, without looking at spec sheets I would say around 50 V. You may even be able to go higher than that as there will be a drop resistor.

... but I am curious as to what it is you are planning that involves wiring up your lamps the wrong way - they are expensive so why risk f**king them up?

Stuart_B - 8/8/08 at 01:41 PM

as i have not got the wiring instruction, but i will have a good go at gussing them right first but if it wrong i do not want to break them.

thank you

stuart

[Edited on 8/8/08 by Stuart_B]

02GF74 - 8/8/08 at 02:07 PM

gotcha.

so there is nothing like a +/- on the lamps to indicate polatiry?

the 0 V side is less likley too be as well insulated as the positive side.

surelly somenone on here has t he same lamps and call tell ya?

but as ^^^ above, they snould survive having 12 V stuck across them.

Stuart_B - 8/8/08 at 02:19 PM

no markings, and i did post up a thread asking, but no replies.

stuart

Bluemoon - 8/8/08 at 02:24 PM

Caution, unless there are some fancy driving electronics for the LED in the light, you might fry that...

Dan

Stuart_B - 8/8/08 at 02:43 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Bluemoon
Caution, unless there are some fancy driving electronics for the LED in the light, you might fry that...

Dan


what does that mean?

stuart

Bluemoon - 8/8/08 at 02:56 PM

Well if they use electronics regulate the current rather than a plan old resistor you might fry the electronics. No idea if auto LED lights use electronics such things, but if they do the manufacture can increase the efficiency a lot.

Dan

Stuart_B - 8/8/08 at 03:00 PM

ah.

stuart

David Jenkins - 8/8/08 at 04:14 PM

I didn't realise that this was being discussed in 2 places - I have posted a suggestion in the other thread!

smart51 - 8/8/08 at 06:04 PM

LEDs can't take reverse voltages as well as normal LEDs but 12V from your car should be OK for a second or 2 whilst you test them. No warranties of course if you break them but I would happily test them if they were mine. In fact, I probably did.