Hardware & Technical Free-Track Hardware Build

Apollo Cochrane

Apollo Cochrane
Hello all, couldn't find this anywhere else so I am hoping someone here can help.

After seeing this awesome video http://youtu.be/mFwqV9VepQE I am planning to build a Free-Track 3-point clip system.

I have already figured out that the best system for me would be to run the three 1.5V 100mA SFH485P infra-red LEDs in series with a 15 ohm resistor, using a regulated 6V 800mA power supply. (I don't wanna mess with batteries all the time).

I've found a psu that I think will work but I am concerned about about the current. It's been a while since I messed with electronics so I am wondering: if my LEDs only need 100mA, and this psu puts out 800mA, does that matter?

I am thinking not, because the important thing is the excess voltage, which is handled by the resistor. Any excess current available just won't be used.

Am I correct?

I was going to just use USB to power it but then I read that this may damage the motherboard!

Any help and advice would be much appreciated.
 

Apollo Cochrane

Apollo Cochrane
After a bit more digging, I think I figured out why this works. See link below:

https://www.sparkfun.com/tutorials/219

So using this formula (which I had done, using an online calculator in order to get my value of 15 ohms) you're basically figuring out what resistor you need in order to SET the current at the desired level. So hopefully, this will be fine. :)
 
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