Anybody ever try to connect multiple LEDS to a Photon 3?...

[Psillynilly]

I already have a few threads running in the General Photon discussion forum regarding this topic but since my apparatus is for a dance photon project, I thought ID give my question a whirl in here. I was wondering if anybody has ever tried to de-sauter the factory LED from the Rav’n or the Microlight P3 circuit and with connection wire. connect multiple LED’s to the channels (in parallel) This is basically a question on how many amps these little boards (IC Chip mainly) can handle. I already contacted LRI who say protocol was only tested for a single LED and it is unknown how many LEDS can be run through this thing. Guess and check would be my only option but even though it seems to function with a few LEDS, I’m not sure if the damage to the P3 board would be over time and after I connect all my circuits, my device would only run for a few hours before the chips burn out….real bummer. I’m running all my P3’s and Ravn’s off a separate 6 volt power supply in the handle. Please, if you know any detailed info on the technical specs of these photons, I would appreciate you to share your wisdom. I cant even do anything with my DMM casue the chip is buried-protected under some kind of black insulation substance….(probably for security purposes) I wouldn’t mind just buying more photons but I got so many lights on my dance numchucks that they’re beginning to get heavy. I have multiple toggle triggers on the handles which activate a series of EL wire/LEDS/photons/sequencers etc…) I would love to share a video with people here at this forum but it seems kind of slow. I mean this is the first post in 3 months?!? Well, plz respond if you can help me out
Thanks, Psilly

[Mr.X]

Dear Psillynilly,

I have to guess that you have exhausted your possibilities of getting any technical specs, when you asked L.R.I. about it. They would be the first and last place to go, I think. However I don't think you would likely cause much in the way of damage to the chip as long as you kept it under 3 or 4 leds. If you see the leds suddenly begin to dim and the batteries are not suspect, then turn it off quickly. It could mean the chip is about to loose it's magic smoke. You know, all electronics have inside of them, a magic smoke that makes them work and if you let it out, then the device usually won't work so well afterwards. haha

Also be careful, as you probably know, different leds have different operating voltages. Each led in parallel, would need to have the same voltage requirements, or some of them may not even light up. Hypothetically, with 2, 1 volt leds and 1, 3 volt led in parallel, the 3 volt led would never receive enough voltage to lite up. Unless you separate each led with an isolation "dropping" resistor. However, in that case you will short your self on power, because there isn't that much overhead there to work with after dropping power with a resistor. For dance, I'm sure you would like them to really sparkle.

The Raven would certainly be a good & interesting Photon unit to use for dance (as it is already), but with other new colors incorporated, would make it even more beautiful.

I believe that your best & only option... will be try and try again. Just keep in mind the difference between the two cell Photons and the single cell units. I believe the Photon electronics packs themselves all are pretty much the same(except between the Photons & the Freedom Photons). My meaning is, that each one can use one 2032 battery OR two 2016 batteries, depending on how much voltage the given leds require.

Interestingly enough, "I" only learned this recently, but the numbers indicate the size of the cell. 2032= 20mm wide X 3.2mm thick... 2016= 20mm wide X 1.6mm thick. I'm sure others knew this already, but it hadn't hit my inbox, until recently.

I wish you luck and if you find out how to do it or how much current they can stand, I hope you will share it here and perhaps in the General discussion group as well.

Happy Seasonings

Mr.X

P.S. Another idea, to get the Raven or other Photon to drive more lights... would be to allow the Photon to drive a circuit (on & off). A circuit with more power than the Photon itself. The Photon or Raven could be simply the controlling element to operate the higher powered circuit. The higher power circuit is not really complicated but some background in electronics and miniature construction would be a real plus to have working for you.
(Theoretically, a single Photon would be able to drive any amount of lights, with the proper interface. Including high power AC lighting. I know this thought is beyond the scope of what you are trying to do, but even little ideas, can be born out of a big imagination.)
_________________
America: Land of the Free, Because of the Brave.

[Psillynilly]

Sorry so slow to respond….thanks for the advice Mr. X. I don’t mind losing a few photons…trust me I’ve lost a lot though experimentation…. My premier concern is after I have 10 different P3 running 6 leds each, that even though it will work for the time being, all of a sudden they will all begin to dim and I’d lose a mother load of P3’s and have to spend hours of time replacing the processors. I wish I knew if there was damge being done due to an overload of amps, it would show its face right away rather than 8 or 10 hours of use down the line when I got my whole contraption wired, sautered and heatshrinked up. I will keep this forum updated with my endeavors.

Thanks again

[OrBitZMoTHAPlaCKKA]

whatt is a phissinnnilly?????? [/i][/b]