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RSS >  Using the right gauge wire
uscstaylor #1 17/09/2008 - 01h11

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Guys does it matter what gauge wire. I used 24 gauge for black and 18 for red. My 3 dot cap not working. Also does it matter which way you solder the resistor to the wires? I have everything to get started but its not working and I cant quite figure it out...any help please thanks
jdoon5261 #2 17/09/2008 - 02h50

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Did you wire the LEDs correctly. The annode goes to the positive side of your power source and the cathode to the negative. The resistor can be placed either way on the negative or positive side of your circuit. Did you use the Wizard to calculate the correct resistor so as to make sure your not frying your LEDs?
John
uscstaylor #3 17/09/2008 - 13h39

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Yes I made sure that I used the LED Wizard. It told me for  a 3 volt 2XAA batteries setup that I needed 3, 15 oHm resistors. They dont sell 15's so I had to buy 22 oHm resisters. It also showed me a picture of the layout, but I'm not really sure how it goes together. I'm sorry that I'm kind new to this stuff, but I have a decent understanding of how electric works.  I would love it if someone could make a step by step tutorial of their free track process on assembly of one..I think that if someone could make a tutorial in laymen's terms so alot of us could understand it, it would be alot better for everyone. Oh by the way I bought the 385p leds, they don't light up right? Its just like my TV remote LED. Anyone help on this would be great.

To answer your other question . I soldered the red to the longer side of the LED which is the small thinnerpiece inside the LED, should be the + side right and I soldered the black neg - wire to the shorter side,  larger piece on the inside of the LED.
What size wire should I be using....Please?
jdoon5261 #4 17/09/2008 - 16h46

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I don't know the specs of your LEDs. I ran the wizard with a 3v voltage input, 25mA current, and 1.2v foward voltage and came up with 3 75ohm resistors.
John
uscstaylor #5 17/09/2008 - 16h50

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Sorry Jdoon they are the equivalent of the 385p's from Radio Shack 1.6 volt forward and 100 oHm
Edited by uscstaylor on 17/09/2008 at 16h50.
jdoon5261 #6 17/09/2008 - 20h26

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If they're the same as the ones I got from Radio Shack then that should be easy. I just got done testing 1 LED to see how it works. VERY cool. I used  a 2 AA battery holder, 1 33ohm resistor and the LED.  the values in the wizard I used were 3v supply, 1.4v, 50mA
So then I hokked up all three using 33ohm resistors and Viola it worked.
Hope this helps. I'm gonna go fly around some.
John
uscstaylor #7 18/09/2008 - 00h58

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Hey Jdoon I got it working but the only problem I have is that when I look at the camera my head does not move left or right. It moves back and forward. I am going to try to use my dremel and shave down the LEDS to flat surface to see if that helps....I let ya know Thanks
jdoon5261 #8 18/09/2008 - 02h14

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make sure that you have 3 point cap selected (I'm assuming your using a cap)and your measurements inputed using the "setup" tab.
I just got done flying around for about the last hour and a half. I've been making adjustments to freetrack the whole time. I think i just about have FSX dialed in. The default settings were WAY to sensitive. Alas it's bed time here on the east coast. Good Luck with your endevour.
John
DButler #9 12/11/2008 - 13h46

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Hi jdoon, I will be using the 3point with flight sim as well, what settings did you settle on Sir.

TY
DB

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