Install a 20ma LED driver

LEDs are a great way to enhance a model. However, sometimes it can be a hassle to determine what the correct resistor is for a particular lighting project. And even after figuring it out, Ohm’s law and other missed calculations mean it won’t work out as planned. This is frustrating, especially when working with a large number of LEDs.

Recently, I discovered a product that made lighting LEDs a cakewalk: a 20ma LED driver. It’s about the size of two grains of rice.

You simply attach (solder) two lead wires to this device and cover with the clear heat-shrink tubing provided. Then you place it at the beginning of your circuit. It’s that simple!

No more having to figure out what resistors are required for multiple LEDs; this little chip takes care of all that for you.

I get mine from Lighthouse LEDs of Medical Lake, Wash. For $1.25 each, it’s quite the bargain.

I am currently using this chip to illuminate 12 LEDs of various colors and sizes for my build of Pegasus Hobbies’ Nautilus.


Tip submitted by:
Brian Yerich
Stamford, N.Y.