I am attempting to redo my interior lighting with birght LEDs rather than the stock green look.

I have the following specs on LEDs that i wish to use

PARAMETER MIN. TYP. MAX.
Forward Current 20mA 30mA
Forward Voltage 3.6V 4.0V
Reverse Voltage 5V
Dominant Wavelength 464nm 470Nm 473Nm
Viewing Angle 30°
Luminous Intensity 6000mcd 8000mcd
Operating Temperature -40° C 85° C

My problem is that i dont know what the power output is from the dash of an 02 TL-S, so i dont know what resistors to purchase.

If any one knows that the power output is inside of the dash units (climate control, clock, gauges, odometer, cd/radio, etc...) and could share that information, i would be greatly apreciative.

Also if you can recommend an online vendor for these items, that would help too.

Thanks in advance.

 

do a search, there was a link to an LED kit i saw, i think on the reg thread column that included everything i believe.

 

Ohm's law states that resistance = voltage/current, so if you are working with 12 volts of supply power and want to limit the current to 20 Ma then use a 600 ohm resistor (12/.020 = 600). The closest standard value resistors to 600 ohms are 510 ohms and 620 ohms. Use the 510 ohm (will draw 23.5 Ma) for a brighter LED or the larger one for a slightly dimmer LED (will draw 19.3 Ma).

I know that the battery voltage will be something over 12 volts and that the internal resistance of the LED will not be zero but the above example will do for ball park values.

Hope this helps you.

 

i have 470 ohm smd resistors... if anyone needs any?

 

I understand that the car battery is pushing out between 12 and 15 volts (normally around 12.8V) I was just unsure if there was already a resistor in place between the direct car power and the dash units stock bulbs.

thanks for the math involved.

 

i would also try to find the widest possible led

 

The only resistance between the battery and the dash lights would be the variable resistor used in the dimmer for the dash lights. Normally, a regular incadescent light bulb requires no series current limit resistor because by design it has its own internal resistance which will limit the current the bulb will draw.