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soldering in new LED back lighting on electric panel

Discussion in 'Electronics' started by Beau, Jan 9, 2020.

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  1. Beau

    Beau Senior Member

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    Folks

    I have a lot of dead bulbs on my back lighting strips and have LED replacements from JKL. Question, do I have to watch polarity when I solder in the new bulbs - 12 per strip?
    Last edited: Jan 9, 2020
  2. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    JKL?

    Paneltronics panel?
    Whole lil board strips with the LEDs already mounted available.

    DCv LEDs should be installed with the Anode to B+.

    If these lil red things called LEDs are not marked, then they will go in either way. It only takes two for a complete experiment before you nail them in..
  3. Beau

    Beau Senior Member

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    JKL was the manufacturer of the original bulbs and these are their direct LED replacement. The leads are the same size and no mark at the base Soo, I'm thinking polarity is not an issue but I'll check before I solder. If they are polarity sensitive I will have to test each one before soldering since there is no outward marking?

    I stayed with the original 4 strips of 12 to keep the proper spacing - 20 years old.

    I'll give a shout to JKL also
    Last edited: Jan 9, 2020
  4. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    There ya go Dr Frankenstein...
    :D
  5. Beau

    Beau Senior Member

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    "Walk this way...." If you remember the Mel Brooks version of the movie
  6. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Remember it well. Required viewing during our long ships trips for guest.

    Oh Sweet Mysteries of Life I finally Found You...
    Got to get Carl to insert Audio blips to these threads.
  7. Beau

    Beau Senior Member

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    Funny you say that, that was exactly my thought after I responded. A short GIF of Igor would have been perfect.

    I can understand why he doesn't though. If I see one more smiley face....
  8. mapism

    mapism Senior Member

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    I'm not familiar with JKL stuff specifically, but whether polarity matters or not depends on the control circuit embedded in LED bulbs, rather than on the fact that it's LED per se.
    If there's no mark, it shouldn't matter.
    But even when it does, all it takes is reversing the wires if the bulb doesn't turn on.
  9. Beau

    Beau Senior Member

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    Since I'm soldering 12 at a time in parallel, that's not really an option - one diode, yes.
  10. mapism

    mapism Senior Member

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    Well, if all 12 bulbs are exactly the same, you can try one with a temporary connection.
    If it works on both polarities (as it's reasonable to expect), you are good to go.
  11. Beau

    Beau Senior Member

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    At first I missed your point about trying the DC in both directions across the diode. Excellent point. But, I'm calling JKL tomorrow - the old fashion way.

    I'm betting it doesn't matter, otherwise there would have been an instructional insert with the diodes, or some very obvious marks on the unit itself, like a short and a long lead.

    Dunno, but thanks to all. I'll let you know what the manufacturer says.

    Igor signing off.
    Last edited: Jan 9, 2020
  12. mapism

    mapism Senior Member

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    Yup, more than likely.
    I didn't consider asking the producer because these days it's hard to go beyond an answering machine - if you can even find their phone number...! :D
    But as I said, I'm not familiar with JKL, and for all I know their support could as well be top notch!
  13. Beau

    Beau Senior Member

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    I don't know the California company either, and you are probably right, they are going to put me on "hold" which is the equivalent of "ignore" Why do we "sheep" put up with this... A subject for another thread.
  14. Oscarvan

    Oscarvan Senior Member

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    EYEgoooor!
  15. mapism

    mapism Senior Member

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    Just to explain the "more than likely" bit in my previous post, it was meant as a reply to yours, which before your editing ended with "They must know the answer", or something along these lines... :)

    Good luck!
  16. Beau

    Beau Senior Member

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    It was my error of interpretation - you are a gentleman. Thank you
  17. Beau

    Beau Senior Member

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    S0, I emailed JKL, and to my pleasant surprise got an answer within just a few hours. The LEDs are DC, so they are polarity sensitive DUH!! I'll have to pre-test and mark them myself. I did suggest that factory marking might be customer service? But they did respond with useful info which is very nice customer service.
  18. chesapeake46

    chesapeake46 Senior Member

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  19. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Gad I luv U Kids. It just does not get any better than this...
    Hope all has a great weekend.
  20. mapism

    mapism Senior Member

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    Yup, surprising indeed - as well as the fact that the things are polarity sensitive and not marked accordingly.
    Looking at the bright side, it could have been worse, if on top of that they wouldn't have been reachable to sort your doubt! :)