LED vs Incandescent

[DiodeDave]

I have a small project with a 6v battery power supply.

In the project was 2 6v incandescent bulbs.

I replaced one bulb with an LED and resistor.

The bulb would no longer light.

I understand electricity will follow the path of least resistance.

Ok

I have an LED nightlight in my house.

Why do my other incandescent and CFLs work?

 

[(*steve*)]

First thing is that electricity does not follow the path of least resistance.

It follows all paths with current proportional to voltage and inversely proportional to resistance.

Maybe your two bulbs were in series and the current through the LED is insufficient to light the second one.

 

[DiodeDave]

The incandescent bulbs were wired parallel.

 

[jackorocko]

Got a picture of the circuit you was working on? Are you positive the bulb was not in series with the resistor?

 

[Harald Kapp]

I assume the bulb that no longer lighted was the LED+resistor bulb?
Sorry if I sound silly, but did you get the polarity right (anode=plus=usually long wire, kathode=minus=usually short wire)?

Harald

 

[DiodeDave]

Harald

No, it was the incandescent bulb that didn't work.

The LED + resistor worked.

When I have a few minutes to spare, I plan on recreating the setup.

I'll report back.

Thanks to all.

 

[BobK]

If you had two incandescent bulbs in parallel, then replaces one of them with a resistor and LED, and the other incandescent bulb stopped lighting, I would say you wired something wrong.

Bob

 

[Resqueline]

Or the bulb broke.

 

[davelectronic]

Maybe not enough power in the battery to light the bulb, but enough for the led, less demanding of the two components.