madbeanpedals::forum

Projects => General Questions => Topic started by: FloorIt on February 21, 2015, 03:18:59 PM

Title: Clear or Diffused LED's: What's your preference?
Post by: FloorIt on February 21, 2015, 03:18:59 PM
I'm not sure which ones I have used on the two projects I have built.  Diffused?  Are the 'Water Clear High Brightness" LED's obnoxiously bright?

Also, what does the '3/4' refer to in a '3/4 5mm' led?
Title: Re: Clear or Diffused LED's: What's your preference?
Post by: gtr2 on February 21, 2015, 07:16:03 PM
Yes, water clears tend to be obnoxiously bright depending on the color.  I only use diffused for indicator LEDs anymore...

Josh
Title: Re: Clear or Diffused LED's: What's your preference?
Post by: GermanCdn on February 21, 2015, 07:22:40 PM
I only use eye searing green LEDs and 2.2k CLRs for my indicators.
Title: Re: Clear or Diffused LED's: What's your preference?
Post by: pickdropper on February 21, 2015, 07:27:58 PM
Quote from: GermanCdn on February 21, 2015, 07:22:40 PM
I only use eye searing green LEDs and 2.2k CLRs for my indicators.

Wow.

Well, at least you can tell if you accidentally leave a pedal on.  Odds are, you can see it from outside the house.   ;D
Title: Re: Clear or Diffused LED's: What's your preference?
Post by: jkokura on February 21, 2015, 07:33:39 PM
I use water clears, but unlike Curt I tend to use high resistor values to bring the brightness down.

I also like using Fresnel lenses these days too. That helps because it's like a diffuser without having to buy diffused and water clear LEDs.

Jacob
Title: Re: Clear or Diffused LED's: What's your preference?
Post by: GermanCdn on February 21, 2015, 07:38:44 PM
Quote from: pickdropper on February 21, 2015, 07:27:58 PM
Quote from: GermanCdn on February 21, 2015, 07:22:40 PM
I only use eye searing green LEDs and 2.2k CLRs for my indicators.

Wow.

Well, at least you can tell if you accidentally leave a pedal on.  Odds are, you can see it from outside the house.   ;D

Actually, that is one of the reasons I use them.  If the lights are off in the basement and it's bright as day, I've left some pedals on.
Title: Re: Clear or Diffused LED's: What's your preference?
Post by: RobA on February 21, 2015, 07:53:01 PM
I've got some diffused amber LED's that'll burn your eyes out. They have the advantage that can do damage from a larger viewing angle.
Title: Re: Clear or Diffused LED's: What's your preference?
Post by: davent on February 21, 2015, 09:06:59 PM
With some green waterclears i have, 47k for a 9v supply.

I've a random mess of leds, many colours, clear/diffused, 3mm/5mm/10mm and from every supplier i've ever dealt with. Tailor the clr to each individual led, waterclears are run well, well under 1ma and are bright enough for my use. Then there's some weak kneed diffuse that are barely there with a 470Ω clr. Prefer the clears but use whatever i deem appropriate.

Made this from parts that were on hand to establish a clr value, 510Ω->18k2.

(http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc305/davent/IMG_4614.jpg)
(http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc305/davent/IMG_4619.jpg)
dave
Title: Re: Clear or Diffused LED's: What's your preference?
Post by: jubal81 on February 21, 2015, 09:42:05 PM
Quote from: jkokura on February 21, 2015, 07:33:39 PM
I use water clears, but unlike Curt I tend to use high resistor values to bring the brightness down.

I also like using Fresnel lenses these days too. That helps because it's like a diffuser without having to buy diffused and water clear LEDs.

Jacob


Same here. Clear LED with 47K CLR and fresnel lens.
Title: Re: Clear or Diffused LED's: What's your preference?
Post by: FloorIt on February 21, 2015, 09:59:24 PM
Quote from: davent on February 21, 2015, 09:06:59 PM
With some green waterclears i have, 47k for a 9v supply.

I've a random mess of leds, many colours, clear/diffused, 3mm/5mm/10mm and from every supplier i've ever dealt with. Tailor the clr to each individual led, waterclears are run well, well under 1ma and are bright enough for my use. Then there's some weak kneed diffuse that are barely there with a 470Ω clr. Prefer the clears but use whatever i deem appropriate.

Made this from parts that were on hand to establish a clr value, 510Ω->18k2.

(http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc305/davent/IMG_4614.jpg)
(http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc305/davent/IMG_4619.jpg)
dave

That is awesome.  I am very impressed. 8)
Title: Re: Clear or Diffused LED's: What's your preference?
Post by: Jebus on February 21, 2015, 11:06:38 PM
Quote from: davent on February 21, 2015, 09:06:59 PM
With some green waterclears i have, 47k for a 9v supply.

I've a random mess of leds, many colours, clear/diffused, 3mm/5mm/10mm and from every supplier i've ever dealt with. Tailor the clr to each individual led, waterclears are run well, well under 1ma and are bright enough for my use. Then there's some weak kneed diffuse that are barely there with a 470Ω clr. Prefer the clears but use whatever i deem appropriate.

Made this from parts that were on hand to establish a clr value, 510Ω->18k2.

(http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc305/davent/IMG_4614.jpg)
(http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc305/davent/IMG_4619.jpg)
dave

This is a great idea! Have to build one of these too. :)
Title: Re: Clear or Diffused LED's: What's your preference?
Post by: pickdropper on February 21, 2015, 11:38:03 PM
Quote from: davent on February 21, 2015, 09:06:59 PM
With some green waterclears i have, 47k for a 9v supply.

I've a random mess of leds, many colours, clear/diffused, 3mm/5mm/10mm and from every supplier i've ever dealt with. Tailor the clr to each individual led, waterclears are run well, well under 1ma and are bright enough for my use. Then there's some weak kneed diffuse that are barely there with a 470Ω clr. Prefer the clears but use whatever i deem appropriate.

Made this from parts that were on hand to establish a clr value, 510Ω->18k2.

(http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc305/davent/IMG_4614.jpg)
(http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc305/davent/IMG_4619.jpg)
dave

I like the way your brain works.
Title: Re: Clear or Diffused LED's: What's your preference?
Post by: davent on February 21, 2015, 11:51:51 PM
Thanks guys, this is just my implimentation of an idea put forward a long time ago by Mark Hammer.
dave
Title: Re: Clear or Diffused LED's: What's your preference?
Post by: Muadzin on February 23, 2015, 01:49:46 PM
I prefer waterclear blue LED's, with 1K5 resistors. None of that dim stuff as I want something that even the most enthusiastic light tech can't obfuscate on stage with excessive lights and smoke. I want my pedal board to shine as bright as those spaceships from Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

That LED tester is sheer awesome sauce though.
Title: Re: Clear or Diffused LED's: What's your preference?
Post by: selfdestroyer on February 24, 2015, 02:50:10 AM
Diffused for me. I am in a Auburn color kick right now. It also depends on the artwork :]

Cody
Title: Re: Clear or Diffused LED's: What's your preference?
Post by: rumbletone on February 24, 2015, 04:17:36 AM


Quote from: davent on February 21, 2015, 09:06:59 PM
With some green waterclears i have, 47k for a 9v supply.

I've a random mess of leds, many colours, clear/diffused, 3mm/5mm/10mm and from every supplier i've ever dealt with. Tailor the clr to each individual led, waterclears are run well, well under 1ma and are bright enough for my use. Then there's some weak kneed diffuse that are barely there with a 470Ω clr. Prefer the clears but use whatever i deem appropriate.

Made this from parts that were on hand to establish a clr value, 510Ω->18k2.

(http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc305/davent/IMG_4614.jpg)
(http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc305/davent/IMG_4619.jpg)
dave

Gee .... I suppose the inline "dc-jack -> CLR -> socket" that I wired up yesterday for testing LEDs seems pretty lame in comparison to this :-)
Title: Re: Clear or Diffused LED's: What's your preference?
Post by: rullywowr on February 24, 2015, 05:02:12 AM
I have lately been partial to my stash of clear and diffused flat-top 3mm.  Not only do they look trick when flush with be enclosure, they are a treat to pair with LDR due to the flat surface.