Electronics Newb

I'm working on a terrain piece and decided I wanted to be a bit daring. Daring, for me, is using an LED light. I went to an electronics store and bought an LED with assembly and a 23A 12V battery to power it with. The 12V powers the LED perfectly. But, I am a complete electronics newbie, and did not think to ask for a switch/circuit/whatever it's called.

So...what exactly do I need to be able to turn the the LED on and off easily? I'd prefer not to solder if possible. If there was some sort of carriage to place the battery into, and then place the wires from the LED into the carriage as well, that would be great. Does that make sense? I'm completely ignorant when it comes to this stuff, so any easy advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

If you are in the UK jump in to your nearest Maplin (u can walk in if you wish but jumping looks crazy), and tell them what you need and what you want it to do and they will set you up with a kit.
Some of them need some soldering done though although im sure there are plenty alternatives.

 

Yeah, any sort of electronics store should be able to help you out. Also you may want to check out the required voltage drop across the LED and either add more LEDs or add a resistor, I imagine pumping 12V into a single LED would kill either the LED or make the battery run flat very fast (I'm not sure which as I dont know much about electronics, just that LEDs have a specified voltage that they run at based on their colour and if you go above that voltage and if you go above it you massively increase current which will produce heat and flatten batteries).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LED_circuit

If the LED came in an assembly maybe its already set up to take 12V, but just check on that, lol.

As for electronic stores, if you happen to be in Australia you could try Jaycar, dunno what electronics stores are in other countries.

 

Yeah, it's set up for a 23A 12v. And I'm in the US. Thanks for the thoughts so far.

 

Not entirely sure and I don't know much about that type of detail with electronics. However, I would think that some RC hobby stores would have good knowledge on this subject and probably even have some good used components and ideas to help you. I know several RC enthusiasts (I live in Michigan) and some have placed LED's on their cars. Surely even those who fly RC planes would use lights as well. Anyways.. just a thought. Good luck!

 

I know what I need now, just have to find it. Its called a Battery Holder. Pretty simple.

Here is another question. The LED I have says Forward (supply) Voltage: 12.0 typ.; 16.0 max.

Does this mean a 12V battery is what I need?

 

Min voltage 12V typical voltage,max voltage 16v so 12 volts is the minimum supply voltage you require across the diode for it to work . If you want something much cheaper to experiment with go to the 2 dollar shop look at some of the battery operated toys with lights these will have all the components you need all you would have to do is strip it.
redeyefrog