Wiring identical LEDs in parallel

ledresistors

I am working on a project in which I am powering several 20 ma LEDs off of a 12 volt supply. I therefore need a 470 ohm resistor. The only problem is I don't know how many LEDs I will need. I know that powering say, 4 leds in parallel off of one resistor is a bad idea because of potential current differences, but if all the LEDs come in the same package from an online order, does that mean it would be safer at least?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007SJ8XP0?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=ox_sc_act_title_2&smid=A3AGVPZHIH41EE

Best Answer

Just because they are in the same consumer/retail/commercial package does not mean they are from the same production run, or same bin. They are not guaranteed to have the same diode properties for forward voltage or current or brightness.

You can attempt to match them for current and brightness, but the simplest solution is to use one resistor per parallel circuit. Resistors are cheap and small.

The typical efficient setup for white leds at full brightness 20mA @ 12 Volts is three leds in series with one resistor. Repeat for additional strings of three. You could do two per resistor if you adjust the resistor value.