Let me preface by saying that I’m very much a novice, so if you use any commonly used acronyms in regards to electronics, please explain what it means.
I bought Make: Electronics by Charles Platt, as well as starter kits that are supposed to complement the book. I assembled everything as it instructed me to, such as making sure that the long end of the LED is attached to the side with the resistor – and I cut the wires myself and wrapped the exposed part around the back of the screw and then screwed them in
but the LED isn’t turning on. It isn’t even shorting. It’s just doing nothing. I have rolls of wire – one is black, one is red, and one is yellow. I used the black one because I assumed the only difference was the color of the insulation, so I can’t see how this would be the problem. I tried this once using the gauge and once using the . Neither worked for me
This is a picture – I know the resistor’s a little bit flubbed because these alligator clips are garbage, but I’ve fixed that and it doesn’t resolve the No LED problem I’m having
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v/purleedef/…
Update:
side note, I’ve checked the batteries using a multimeter and theyre fine
✅ Answers
? Favorite Answer
Make sure the LED is turned the right direction. The positive lead should be the longer lead. Also, if you just want to check if the LED is working, you should be able to hold the resistor to one of the leads, the resistor to the battery, and the other lead to the other end of the battery (needs to be oriented correctly).
Also, make sure your resistor is low enough that you can see the LED when it is on (try a . kOhm).
The size and color of wire are not the problem. The problems could be:
Are the batteries hooked up in series in the battery holder? The button end should be away from the spring. Are they charged up and making contact.
What is the value of the resistor? if it is too large the led will not light.
Is the LED in the circuit forward the long lead is positive. It won’t hurt to turn it around and try the other way but standard is positive is the long lead.
It looks like you have two switches. Are they both on?
I suspect that the LED is backward. the resistor should be -.v/.= ./. = ~ ohms
I usually use a ohm watt pot and adjust the brightness.