I am trying to use ledcalculator.net to design a circuit to drive 3 leds. If I have 3 xp-e leds that I want to drive at 1000ma each, and I want to wire them in series in the circuit, would I just add up the total value of the leds to have the circuit driven at 3000ma?
It’s not quite that easy because the forward voltage of the LEDs changes with current, heat, age, and the current will decrease with the drop in battery voltage but if you’re willing to accept “in the vicinity” of 1A it can be done.
Edit - series means they all see the same 1A. Parallel 3A gives 1A to each.
Thank you. That answers my question. I’ve been searching the internet and the more I read, the more I’m confused. I guess I don’t understand electronics that well, but when put into laymens terms, I can wing it. If i want to make a circuit that is a little more reliable and want to use a buckbuck, then all I need is one buckpuck for the three leds in series and each led shall get the full rated ma in power from the driver?
Series - Voltage multiplies, Amperage stays the same.
Parallel - Amperage multiplies, Voltage stays the same.
Series - use one resistor for all.
Parallel - Use one resistor for each led.
Yes, you should be able to get a buck driver for multiple LEDs st 1A. Illumination Supply has them I think.
Got it. Thank you!
See, so simple a caveman can do it! 