Mini Camera/LED/Power supply research project

[Fellowcraft]

Hey Folks,

This is my first post to this message board, and I am certainly glad I found you folks--I was wondering if you could give me some advice on a laboratory research project I am currently working on. I am a little light on electronics, so please excuse my ignorance.

I have a 12V DC battery pack (shown in one of the pictures) from which I am powering a mini camera (also shown in one of the pictures). However, I would also like to power a small LED from this same battery pack. My questions are:

1. How should I go about connecting this LED to the pack? Just solder a suitable resistor to the LED and then solder suitable gauge wires to the ends? Are connectors available to solder to the end for connecting to the pack?
2. Is it possible to obtain a splitter to connect both camera and LED?
3. Would you suggest covering the wires and resistor in heat-shrinkable tubing up to the LED? Is there something else that should be used?
4. Does anyone have experience with these mini-cameras? They have BNC connectors at the end--I believe one is for HD output. Is it just a matter of connecting it to a display?

Any advice or guidance would be most appreciated. Thank you for your help.

Cheers,

TC

 

[(*steve*)]

Let me try to remember all the questions....

That looks like 6V, not 12V.

Yes, a resistor in series with the led is fine. Do you really want to use a green LED? For more light you can place a couple of LEDs in series with a single resistor. See out resource on driving LEDs for more information.

Splitters for those barrel power connectors are easily available. They're used for security cameras. EBay is one option. Another would be a shop selling security cameras.

Yes heatshrink is a good idea. Place it over each led wire and solder connection, pushed right up to the led body, then place another larger diameter piece over the two wires back to the end of the cable. Hard to explain, but the first step covers all the exposed wire to prevent shorts, and the second step hooks everything together neatly.

 

[KTW]

I bought a 12 power supply and use 12 volt Quad Micro LED Spot Lights from Walmart.

 

[(*steve*)]

I bought a 12 power supply and use 12 volt Quad Micro LED Spot Lights from Walmart.

Congratulations.

Not sure how this helps the OP though.

 

[KTW]

"I would also like to power a small LED from this same battery pack."

Well, the camera is 12 volts and the light is 12 volts, you supply them both with the same 12 volt supply and you have a camera with a light.
If he doesn't want to screw around putting together what is already readily available then he has the option.

 

[Herschel Peeler]

Let me try to remember all the questions....

That looks like 6V, not 12V.

Yes, a resistor in series with the led is fine. Do you really want to use a green LED? For more light you can place a couple of LEDs in series with a single resistor. See out resource on driving LEDs for more information.

Splitters for those barrel power connectors are easily available. They're used for security cameras. EBay is one option. Another would be a shop selling security cameras.

Yes heatshrink is a good idea. Place it over each led wire and solder connection, pushed right up to the led body, then place another larger diameter piece over the two wires back to the end of the cable. Hard to explain, but the first step covers all the exposed wire to prevent shorts, and the second step hooks everything together neatly.

Re: 6 V
It looks like there are four more batteries on the other side.

Re: resistor for the LED.
About 1,000 ohms. (500 to 2,000)
Just wire the LED and resistor in parallel with the camera.