I'm currently working on an ambient display system and have run into a problem: I can't push enough power to the LEDs to make them bright enough to be viewed under average lighting conditions.
In short, I need to figure out how to provide higher power to stronger LEDs.
I figure I'll need to use another power source, but I would really appreciate guidance to more resources. It's just hard to search for good tutorials on the subject.
Do you have the specs for your LEDs?
Regular LEDs are rated for millicandelas (mcd) at their recommended maximum current (typically ~20mA).
Just looking at my Jameco catalog, I see standard-output LEDs rated ~600 mcd and high-output LEDs rated at 5000 mcd or more.
High-power LEDs (1W or more) are brighter, and I think they are rated differently.
The original parts for the project were purchased by someone else, and I'm not sure what they're rated for.
I do, however, have some replacement parts that are rated at 565 mcd, 50 mA (red), 650 mcd, 30 mA (green), and 120 mcd, 30 mA(blue).
Basically, the display places the LEDs under a frosted globe to make a "crystal ball" effect of a sort, but in demos I keep having to turn the lights out so that anyone can see it.
Do you have any recommendations over how to improve visibility?
any recommendations over how to improve visibility?
Well what is the circuit you are using at the moment?