Light Emitting Diode Part IV

THE RESISTOR
The value of the current limiting resistor can be worked out by Ohms Law.
Here are the 3 steps:
1. Add up the voltages of all the LEDs in a string.   e.g:  2.1v + 2.3v + 2.3v + 1.7v = 8.4v
2. Subtract the LED voltages from the supply voltage.  e.g:  12v - 8.4v = 3.6v
3. Divide the 3.6v (or your voltage) by the current through the string. 
for 25mA:   3.6/.025 =144 ohms
for 20mA:   3.6/.02  = 180 ohms
for 15mA:   3.6/.015 = 250 ohms
for 10mA:   3.6/.01   = 360 ohms
This is the value of the current-limiting resistor.

Here is a set of strings for a supply voltage of 3v to 12v and a single LED:

Here is a set of strings for a supply voltage of 5v to 12v and a white LED: 

Here is a set of strings for a supply voltage of 5v to 12v and two LEDs:

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