LED Brake/Running Light Question

[abhix]

:confused24:I found some LED light strips which I want to mount on the rear of the wheel chair I have mounted on the back of the bike for my wife. Although all present lights are visible, I wanted to add these "just to help". I will simply put a plug under the truck to attach the lights into whenever we take the wheelchair along.

Here is my question.

 

I have a diagram of how to install the wiring so the strips work as running lights and brake lights, just as the Pilot LED strip under the trunk works. In the wiring diagram it calls for 2 #4003 diodes. I have been to every place I can think of and cannot find #4003's. I have #4002's and #4004's. Not knowing enough about the diodes, would either of these diodes work in place of the #4003???

 

If one would work, I can get at it, otherwise I am going to have to order 4003's and of course I want to get them installed BEFORE the weekend!!!

 

Any of you folks who could help me with this, I would greatly appreciate it.

 

Thanks in advance.

[Ol Erns]

Do you have a radio shack nearby? They will have them if the salesperson knows what you're talking about. Mornings are usually better since the manager or owner is usually around. The last time I was in they didn't know what I was talking about.

 

Went by the local radio shop (motorola radio dealer) Gave me a handfull of all of them at no charge. Offered to pay for them, he said they are so cheap, he'd spend more time writing it up than it was worth.

 

good luck.

 

Ol'Erns

[abhix]

Nope, we have no Radio Shack's. They sold to "The Source", but they don't even list them. I tried a radio shop, and maybe it was as you said, person didn't know what I was actually wanting. Quess I could try again. Thing is, I'm more than 60 miles away from closest store, and with working until 8 or 9pm, doesn't give me a lot of opportunity. That's why I was looking to see if what I have would work.

Thanks for the reply.

[k7mdl]

1N4001 through 1N4007 are all 1 amp diodes, same physical package, only difference is the voltage ratings.

 

From the Motorola Data Sheet:

4001=peak repetitive reverse voltage 50V, RMS reverse voltage 35V

4002=100, 70V

4003=200, 140V

4004=400, 280V

4005=600V, 420V

4006=800V, 560V

4007=1000V, 700

 

Since you are in a 12VDC system, any of the series of diodes including the the 35V 1N4001 diode will work fine with plenty of headroom. Anything you can get that is higher gives you more headroom in the very unlikley event you have out of control voltage switching spikes.

 

Use what you can get.

[sarges46]

Hey Arnold

 

Want me to have a look tomorrow at the Source here in Brandon? No problem doing that for ya. Maybe even take a spin out your way to deliver em if ya want.

[abhix]

K7MDL: Thanks so much for the info. I will get to work right away to get this done. Sure do appreciate the help from all you folks.

 

Rick, thanks for the offer, but the Brandon stores do not have any as I checked them out previously. However, K7MDL has shown that I can use what I have here.

 

Thanks again folks.

[Monsta]

Sorry to highjack but...

 

abhix, I would love to see a pic of your setup for transporting your wife's wheelchair. Do you have any?

[abhix]

Hi: :whistling:Sorry to take so long to get the pix posted. This is not an actual wheelchair, but a "transport chair" purchased from SEARS. Folds up better and smaller than a wheelchair, and is very light. Four 8' wheels.

I made brackets with square tube and attached on each side under the antenna mounts. Drilled the holes one size larger and put in longer bolts with lock nuts. I then shaped "arms" to hold the chair on, from a chrome chair, the ones you see in community halls that are stackable. The diamenter was just right. These arms simply slide into the square tube and fasten them with a bolt held in with a cotter pin. Bungee cords hold the foot rests, which are detachable. Seemed the easiest solution. All in all it works well. I can take the whole unit, arms and chair, off in about 1 minute without having to take chair off the arms. Also attached a set of LEDs on the bottom of the chair and set them up to be running lights and brake lights, same as the light under the trunk. Just a little extra safety.

Any questions, shoot me a private e-mail: