[Healeys] Now LED's

[Bob Spidell]

re: "Hook them up the other way and in about two seconds you'll get a 
flash and a small amount of smoke being let out of the bulb."


That doesn't make sense.  LEDs are diodes ("light emitting") and when 
reverse-biased will just block current flow; i.e. nothing will happen 
(they won't light up).   If their rated voltage is exceeded--presumably, 
they're rated for 12V or more--they'll be destroyed regardless of which 
way they're wired.  Maybe there's other components in these kits that 
could fry if reverse-biased, but a diode won't  (if the diodes are 5V 
there's probably some resistors to reduce voltage, but resistors don't 
care which way the current is going).

If they're in a socket plug--like a bulb--then just switching the 
internal leads for ground and power--if it's possible to get to 
them--would allow them to work in a pos. ground car (as long as there's 
nothing else 'hot' that could be grounded).

Happy Thanksgiving all,

bs
>
> First, there is a very big warning:  All LED's that I know of are
> NEGATIVE GROUND ONLY!  Hook them up the other way and in about two
> seconds you'll get a flash and a small amount of smoke being let out of
> the bulb.
>   


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Bob Spidell           San Jose, CA            bspidell at comcast.net

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