Buck puck

[travisg96]

I am new to LED so this may sound amateur, if I am using a card like a NB or a PC do i need to use a buck converter and how much voltage do I need to run a tri cree led?

[rlobrecht]

You can't use a buckpuck with a NB, the voltage ranges don't overlap, and you shouldn't use one with a PC either. Each color of a tri-cree needs a different voltage. Generally voltage is chosen based on what sound card you are using. A 3.7v battery for a NB and a 7.4v battery for a PC.

[travisg96]

so a buck puck is only used in a single LED stunt saber setup, then what is the advantage to using one?

[Silver Serpent]

It provides a constant current to the LED, even as the battery pack drains. You'll get the same level of brightness on a fresh charge as you do when the battery is nearly dead. It also slightly improves runtime over using a resistor.

Most beginners like them because you don't need to fiddle with resistor calculations.

There is a new Buckpuck in the store that works with a single-cell li-ion solution: http://www.thecustomsabershop.com/10...ver-P1211.aspx This 'puck *should* work with the NB or other 3.7v boards.

[rlobrecht]

Wow, that new puck is gigantic.

[travisg96]

So on the Buck puck question if the listing is I/P 9-52v O/P2-46v with a current of 1500mA would this safely work(original voltage of 7.2 with a resistor, rewired to 14.8 with this buck).

Travis

[Strydur]

As my wife likes to tell me.. its not THAT big.