Electrical Question - LEDs and Line Voltages

[egurney]

BTW, I wasn't suggesting that those 240 LEDs would work, I was really asking if they would work. I'm still planning my build (trying to figure out how to fund) and really didn't know!

 

[CodeRage]

Yeah, like I said in an earlier post, I've determined these aren't the better quality ones with a socketed bulb. The LED array is permanently soldered in and non-replaceable. I think that's why it's not as bright as with a single superbright LED. When I remove the lense and diffuser, there are three fairly weak micro LEDs in the array. I might look at replacing them all with socketed superbrights eventually. for now, they'll work.


MrH

Most of the panel lights are like that, have a bunch of small leds instead of one big one. I think I have a red one at the house, I'll plug it in and take a picture of the brightness. See if it is what you are experiencing. I don't think it is though.

As for just grabbing a neutral or ground from the other circuit? Come on guys, op has made it clear he wants to do it the right way and not take any shortcuts. He is well aware as to what his options are in the half-assed department.

Mr.H,
Do you have 2 of these panel indicators? and do they both behave the same way on 110?

 

[CodeRage]

Here's a pic of my panel. the indicators aren't lit but the HOA switched have the same luminosity. The flash makes them look dim but they are in fact pretty bright.

 

[Brewmoor]

Brew, by running the indicator off the HOT side of the SSR, I'm directly reading the state of the element, not the control. That way, if the SSR fails and fuses the HOT side, I'll know it by the indicator. I'm using industrial control panel mount indicators for a polished look. I'll post pics eventually, but I've been waiting until it's finished so I can avoid the inevitable discussion about how it will never work and I'm about to die.

Right on! I can see why you might want to do it that way. Can't wait to see pics. Oh by the way. It will never work

 

[lschiavo]

I just used bare leds with mounting collars. Very cheap and easy. Then just bias the led to 20mA at whatever voltage you need. Most in my panel are 24V and one at 120V...just change resistance. I mounted them in my panel and soldered on a piece of perfboard to make the final connections. Like this:

Front:

Anybody ever get parts from here? This is where I usually go for basic electronic components and where I got my led's and mounting collars. They often have great closeout prices on components.

http://www.parts-express.com/electronic-components.cfm

I don't understand the GFI issue. If you are using the 120V circuit to power your led indicator and using the neutral to return to you will not have a problem unless you are leaking current to ground.

 

[MrH]

Parts Express is da bomb. I've been using them for quite a while for speaker building components. They're good guys.

I'll post a pic of my CP in it's current state later today. It should clarify things a bit.