Blinking LEDs?

Question

Can i make LEDs blink by just attaching them to a speaker? I dont have any with me now, but i want to know before i even try...thanks

Answer 1

I don't think it's possible because the electrical current coming out of the amplifier is only strong enough to power the electromagnet in the speaker (not very much power), and I don't think it is enough power to power an LED, of course you could have en external power source with a dimmer controlled by the speaker current, but you are on your own for finding one

Answer 2

It might work, but you would face three problems:

1) You need a dropping resistor to control the flow of current through the LED.

2) The LED will only allow current to flow through in one direction and the amplifier is designed to drive a speaker in both directions.

3) Speakers typically have a resistance of 4 to 32 ohms. The effective resistance of the LED with a dropping resistor is likely much higher, over 1,000 ohms.

That said, it still might "just work", but you'd probably just blow the LED.