Tiny Problem (small LED's)

[alph]

Some of you know that I like LED's.  But now I think I'm getting into something that might be a bit too hard for me, although I'm going to give it a crack.  I had an LED strip that went bad, so instead of throwing it away, I decided to harvest the micro-LED's that were on it.  Here's how small they are.  The problem is going to be working with such a small soldering area, let alone being able to see WHAT I'm soldering!!



Here's the LED lit with only 1 ½ volts, it requires 2.2 volts and will be extremely bright when powered correctly.  The plan is to mount this tiny thing on the tip of my cycle antennas.  The wiring will also be as much of a challenge to work with since that will be coming from an electrical coil off of a bad motor contactor I pulled apart.  

Another use for such a tiny LED is as a "heads up" display on the windshield.  I have my radar detector set up so that if there is an alarm from the detector it will illuminate this tiny LED on the top of my windshield, that way I can hide my detector in a remote location.  The same thing can be done with the turn signals, we all know how annoying it is when they're left on, flashing like crazy, driving the guy behind you nuts!!!!



WISH ME LUCK!!!

[ricoman]

great idea for the turn signals
build a kit to sell
put me down for one, instructions need only be in English.

[bigguy]

My hat is off to ya Alph. I'd like to see some pics if you get it working.

[Gryphon Rider]

Sorry if you already know what I'm about to say, but many may not have experience in design using LEDs.  Be sure to use appropriate resistors in series with the LEDs, because unlike an incandescent light bulb, which increases resistance when lit, and LED will act like a short circuit and without a resistor will very quickly burn out.  Also, those SMD (surface mount device) LEDs are designed to be placed by a robot on the circuit board's surface, which has a solder paste pre-applied to the contact areas.  After all the devices are placed on the board, the board is heated, melting the solder to make permanent connections.  Good luck trying to connect these LEDs to something other than a circuit board.