Pre-wired SMD LED’s

[Dwight in Toronto]

I’ve been having some fun trying out various N scale lighting configurations using some of the larger smd LED’s (0608, I think) in conjunction with ESU 58741 decoders (the Kato USA board).  These are about as small as I can handle, soldering-wise.

I also had two very small prewired LED’s (0402’s, I believe; too small for me to manipulate if they were not prewired).  They were the only ones available at my local hobby shop, and I would like to buy a few more. 

Both Digikey and Mouser have Canadian online operations, and although they each have sizeable smd selections, I’m having no luck at all using their ‘search’ tool to find prewired assemblies.  Where do you guys source these things, please & thanks!

[Bendtracker1]

These are the ones that I've been using recently for my Headlights.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/123830861266



On the GE's I had to use a pair of Fiber Optics and just glued the LEDs to them.
https://thelittlerockline.blogspot.com/2022/08/804-led-installation-in-u33bs.html

[dangerboy81]

Hey Dwight, I order these from that jungle website. I have ordered them twice apparently, LOL. 402 is about as small as it gets I think. I definitely would not want to solder these, though there are guys that do!
This is a link to the Canadian site. I am in Canada too.
https://a.co/d/7KOH60w

If you are new to this, make sure you get the warm whites. The cool whites look quite blue.

[MetroRedLine]

I’ve been having some fun trying out various N scale lighting configurations using some of the larger smd LED’s (0608, I think) in conjunction with ESU 58741 decoders (the Kato USA board).  These are about as small as I can handle, soldering-wise.

I also had two very small prewired LED’s (0402’s, I believe; too small for me to manipulate if they were not prewired).  They were the only ones available at my local hobby shop, and I would like to buy a few more. 

Both Digikey and Mouser have Canadian online operations, and although they each have sizeable smd selections, I’m having no luck at all using their ‘search’ tool to find prewired assemblies.  Where do you guys source these things, please & thanks!

I get all my SMD LEDs from WeHonest.net. Here's their eBay store: https://www.ebay.com/str/wehonest/Light-Emitting-Diode-LEDs/_i.html?store_cat=12

[Dwight in Toronto]

Thanks guys.  I checked out all of the links you provided … found what I was looking for.  Good stuff!

[wvgca]

you can buy them ,or make them yourself ... these in the image have a smd resistor soldered to the back of  them..

[Maletrain]

I bought some prewired 201 LEDs on eBay a while back.  Not seeing any there now.  Maybe my search no longer works?  Maybe China isn't wiring them at this time?

Edit: see https://www.ebay.com/itm/353002158648

[bbussey]

Multiple dealers in China sell pre-wired SMLEDs on eBay in bulk, in all temperatures.  I've never had any issues with purchases.

[Dwight in Toronto]

To wvgca - I have put together six assemblies, precisely as you show in your pic, but I think I was using 0805 LED’s (with 1.8K smd resistors).  However, as mentioned, I think 0402’s are too small for me to handle.  I also worry about ruining the device with excess heat.  So, for me, better to buy 0402’s prewired. 

[randgust]

CMR has prewired Pico-sized LED's that make those look like monsters.

https://www.cmrproducts.com/tag/leds/

I even drilled out a .050 styrene rod and inserted a yellow one INSIDE it to make a flashing beacon, and it worked.

[peteski]

CMR has prewired Pico-sized LED's that make those look like monsters.

https://www.cmrproducts.com/tag/leds/

I even drilled out a .050 styrene rod and inserted a yellow one INSIDE it to make a flashing beacon, and it worked.

There are several sources for obtaining pre-wired SMD 0201 LEDs (at 0.020" x 0.010" are smallest available).  Usually the next size up, 0402 (0.040" x 0.020") are small enough for most applications.

Here is a useful SMD sizes chart.

[Dwight in Toronto]

I thought the topic had expired, but good info continues to trickle in.  Thanks guys!

[Steveruger45]

Yep, it is “trickle down electronics” 😁

[Sumner]

There are several sources for obtaining pre-wired SMD 0201 LEDs (at 0.020" x 0.010" are smallest available).  ...

Thanks, never saw those before.  Might never need them but just ordered 10 for $15.  0402's have been plenty good in the past (20 for $9.00) but the 02's might come in handy some place.

Sumner

[mmagliaro]

I bought some prewired 201 LEDs on eBay a while back.  Not seeing any there now.  Maybe my search no longer works?  Maybe China isn't wiring them at this time?

Edit: see https://www.ebay.com/itm/353002158648

It's eBay's hopelessly broken search engine.
Here are some 0201 prewired:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/255084670796

I had to search just "wired smd led 0201"     

Intestingly, I first tried "0201 LED", which found a bunch of car parts and other completely wrong items.  UNTIL, I managed to find some 0201 SMD LEDs another way.  After that, if I searched for "0201 LED", the correct items came up at the top of the list.  So the eBay search engine is clearly snooping and customizing what it shows you based on what it stores about your previous searches.  They are just like everybody else on the internet: store, snoop, spy, exploit.