LED traffic signal take-a-part

LED_traffic_signal1.jpg

LED_traffic_signal2.jpg

Lenore @ Evil Mad Scientist Labs procures an LED traffic light assembly! Which means we get a very detailed peek inside -

Of course, after we made sure it worked, we promptly took it apart. It is a fabulous object, designed to be used, abused, taken apart, and maybe even fixed, though there is not much to go wrong. Click through for more gory photos and delightful design details.
aah, the power of LEDs in large quantity. Check EMSL for more pics and info - Link

Related:

E.M.S. Photo Pool . . . and Many More! - Link


Recent Entries

Comments

Oldest comments listed first.

Posted by: Greg on March 12, 2008 at 3:39 PM

I've seen half of these things completely out, I think some idiot designed them with the leds in series, which isnt such a great idea!


Posted by: Greg on March 12, 2008 at 3:56 PM

UNBELIEVABLE! who would design such a thing? why not put them in parallel? or at least multiple series segments wired in parallel? what a terrible design!, has anyone else seen these things half lit around town? unbelievable


Posted by: Blubrick on March 12, 2008 at 11:02 PM

I think we must have different ones here in Aus. Just looking at the first picture I can see they're in series. And just didn't make sense at all because I have seen them with one or two individual LEDs dead, but never with huge tracts of LED real estate out.


Posted by: macegr on March 13, 2008 at 2:30 AM

Actually, wiring LEDs in parallel is a no-no as you'll increase the odds that they all burn out. Once a couple LEDs go, you're over-currenting the rest and it spirals from there.


Posted by: jproach on March 13, 2008 at 2:11 PM

There are definitely at least 4 strings in parallel, they seem to be tied together at midpoints as well.


Posted by: easy payday advance on August 10, 2009 at 2:32 PM

I think led lights are so awesome and I love the way that they are starting to become more and more popluar.


Leave a comment


Subscribe to MAKE!Subscribe to MAKE Magazine!

Subscribe today, save 42% and get web access to MAKE free. MAKE Digital Edition is available only to subscribers.

$34.95 / 1 year
(4 Quarterly Issues)

Subscribe now


Void your warranty, violate a user agreement, fry a circuit, blow a fuse, poke an eye out. Make: The risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things... Welcome to Make: Online!


CRAFT Maker Shed Maker Faire MAKE television
Holiday Gift Guides from MAKE
Gifts for Dads
Science and Chemistry
Gifts Under $20
More guides: Santa Claus Machines, Geek Toys for Grown Up Girls & Boys


Check out all of the episodes of Make: television

Alex Rider Dream Gadget Contest
Make: Science Room

Connect with MAKE

Be a MAKE fan on Facebook MAKE on Facebook
Visit our Facebook page and become a fan of MAKE!
MAKE on Twitter MAKE on Twitter
Follow our MAKE tweets!
MAKE Flickr Pool MAKE on Flickr
Join our MAKE Flickr Pool!
    make_tips on Twitter




    Maker SHED

    Advertise here with FM.

    Why advertise on MAKE?
    Read what folks are saying about us!

    Click here to advertise on MAKE!



    Subscribe to MAKE Magazine!

    Make: Online authors!

    Gareth BranwynGareth Branwyn
    Senior Editor


    Phillip TorronePhillip Torrone
    Senior Editor
    | AIM | Twitter


    Becky SternBecky Stern
    Associate Editor
    | AIM | Twitter


    Marc de VinckMarc de Vinck
    Contributing Writer
    | AIM | Twitter


    John ParkJohn Park
    Contributing Writer
    | Twitter


    Sean RaganSean Ragan
    Contributing Writer
    | Twitter


    Matt MetsMatt Mets
    Contributing Writer
    | AIM | Twitter


    Dale DoughertyDale Dougherty
    Editor & Publisher
    | Twitter


    Shawn ConnallyShawn Connally
    Managing Editor
    | Twitter


    Goli MohammadiGoli Mohammadi
    Associate Managing Editor

    Kip KayKip Kay
    Weekend Projects
    | AIM | Twitter


    Collin CunninghamCollin Cunningham
    Contributing Writer
    | AIM | Twitter

    Adam FlahertyAdam Flaherty
    Contributing Writer
    | AIM | Twitter



    More contributors: Mark Frauenfelder (Editor-in-Chief, MAKE magazine), Kipp Bradford (Technical Consultant/Writer), Chris Connors (Education), Diana Eng (Guest Author), Peter Horvath (Intern), Brian Jepson (O'Reilly Media), Robert Bruce Thompson (Science Room)

    Suggest a Site!

    Current Podcast

    itunesdl.gif Weekend Project: Beetlebot Simple robot from your parts bin that avoids obstacles. Thanks go to Jerome Demers for the original article in MAKE, Volume 12. To download the Beetlebot video, click here or subscribe in iTunes. Check out the complete Beetlebot article... More...

    Get the Make: Online sent via email
    Enter your email to receive Make: Online each day:



    MAKE Fascination video series brought to you by Dow

    Make: Education
    MAKE: en EspaƱol MAKE: Japan
    Important please read


    Subscribe to MAKE Magazine!

    Recent Posts from the Craft: Blog