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LED - RGB Piranha 5mm (10 pack)

Replacement: None. There is no direct replacement for these. We were no longer able to get them. This page is for reference only.

These RGB LEDs fit nicely into PCBs or breadboards because of their square shape. They are common cathode and pretty bright for their size. Check datasheet below for voltage drops.

Check the diagram below for hookup instructions.

Note: These are sold in packs of 10.

  • Red - 400-700mcd
  • Green - 1000-1500mcd
  • Blue - 400-500mcd

Comments

Looking for answers to technical questions?

We welcome your comments and suggestions below. However, if you are looking for solutions to technical questions please see our Technical Assistance page.

  • Doctor Who / about 11 years ago / 1

    And I just received an update insisting that some of these arrived. What's happening here?

    • brennen / about 11 years ago / 1

      We just rolled out a fix to our in-stock notification system, which hadn't been working for a while. It looks like we have a bug where some of our retired products seemed to have lingering "stock" as far as the query that system uses is concerned.

      Sorry 'bout that. We're working up a fix for the fix.

  • aboe / about 12 years ago / 1

    This product popped up as a "staff pick" but is now retired. Is it possible to filter retired items from the staff picks on the homepage?

  • LightManCA / about 12 years ago / 1

    Webmaster: This showed up in "Staff Pics" on the home page. There was another product that was retired that showed up a few weeks ago. I think your filter is broken.

  • Recode / about 13 years ago / 1

    Any advice on how to wire these parallel? Common Cathode parallel would require a resistor between each connection correct? I.E. Red_Red_Red_, each 'jump' would need a resistor?

  • Merana / about 13 years ago * / 1

    Any chance there is Eagle compatibility for this part or a pinswappable one?

  • joshzstuff / about 14 years ago / 1

    Question:
    Can I find ANYthing like this in an infrared version (850nm)???
    I'd love to have something this thin in infrared.

  • spUserJCD / about 14 years ago / 1

    Does anyone know of a connector that can be used with the Piranha style leds? I know they aren't typically used in this type of application, but I need to run variable lengths of wire to individually placed leds and haven't been able to find a connector for this style yet.

  • Rengers / about 14 years ago / 1

    Since these are common cathode, they won't work with the TLC 5940 - PWM Driver, am I right? (http://www.sparkfun.com/products/10136)

    • kevinppb / about 14 years ago / 3

      Hi, You're correct, they dont work with the TLC 5940 directly.
      If you've got one PNP transistor per channel you can get them to work together though. It takes a lot of components to build this way as you also need a current limiting resistor per channel too!
      To other posters: the colour mixing is really really good.
      HTH
      Kevin

  • kevinppb / about 14 years ago / 1

    There are common anode right?
    Has anyone tried getting them to work with a TLC 5940?
    It is late though, and everywhere I look I see red spots (These guys are bright!)

  • Member #137195 / about 14 years ago / 1

    How good is the color mixing on these? I tried a different RGB LED and the mixing is not so great even with a diffuser. For example, you can still see red and green "sides" and a yellow "center."

  • RobertC. / about 14 years ago / 1

    I just uploaded a new datasheet which is complete.

  • Kdiggity / about 14 years ago / 1

    Do they fit into a breadboard as well as a tactile switch? Though they may have to be bridged across the center of the board cause all four pins are different.

  • straylight / about 14 years ago / 1

    you can get 100 RGB LEDs (http://www.sparkfun.com/products/10017) for $60, where as these smaller ones you can get 100 for $89. seems reasonable...?
    any chance of carrying a higher count like you do for the other RGB leds you sell?

    • BB / about 14 years ago / 1

      If you want higher quantities you should look on the bay. Piranha-style LEDs are usually more expensive than the 5mm dome-shaped variety. In 1000pc quantities, it's about $0.30 per Piranha RGB, vs. $0.17 or so per 5mm.

  • Larius / about 14 years ago / 1

    Am I missing something, or are there no current ratings provided for this (typically) current controlled device?

    • c-scott / about 14 years ago / 1

      ...or pinouts? I mean, which lead is red? which is the common anode?

      • RobertC. / about 14 years ago * / 1

        Yep, we're waiting on a response from the manufacturer. The common cathode is at the notch.

        (edited)

        • icyfyer / about 13 years ago / 1

          Incorrect, sir. These are actually common cathode, which is in parallel with the posted schematic. Also, for those who are thinking of purchasing these: fitting them diagonally is the only way to get them to work on a breadboard (spanning 4 rows). They do not span across the gap in the middle of a board. The channels (diodes) are pretty far apart inside the enclosure as well, so when I blend red and blue in PWM to make pink, it is easy to see the blue diode glowing on one side, without diffusion. With the slightest diffusion, the blending is perfect, but if you are thinking about using them straight up, this is something to consider.

          Also, the schematic posted is viable. I have one of these pulsing with a 330 resistor, PWMed from a set of Arduino Uno pins. Sourcing current.

  • Member #135803 / about 14 years ago / 1

    Looks like a nice set of parts. So who makes this LED device? Google didn't reveal any manufacturer or data-sheet. We really need some current values as LEDs are current devices.

  • Coyote / about 14 years ago / 1

    Any chance of getting the ones used on shiftbrights? (clear RGB leds, 8000mcd per channel)

    • macetech / about 14 years ago / 1

      These are pretty close to the same thing...in fact, the diffused case might be a time saver. To be honest I am quoting the 8000mcd from the manufacturer's statements but really can't be sure how that was measured. I would assume the LEDs above are similar in overall brightness, maybe difference in focus and light spreading would account for mcd measurement differences.

  • SlyVixsky / about 14 years ago / 1

    is 5 mm the overall width, or just the LED emitter dome in the middle?

    • MattQ / about 14 years ago / 1

      5mm normally refers to the width of the optic for the LED.

      • RobertC. / about 14 years ago / 2

        Yep, you're right. 5mm is the width of the 'bubble' on top. The actual body of the LED is ~7.58mm. I'll see if I can hunt down a dimensional from the manufacturer.

    • DigitalWorld / about 14 years ago * / 1

      Guess based on the Quarter vs. LED picture above:
      Quarter is 24.26 mm in diameter. From that pic, I'd guess maybe 3.5-4 LEDs covering the diamerter of the quarter. But, counting just the dome, I could see it getting closer to 5.
      Therefore, my guess, is that it's the dome width. But without a comprehensive datasheet, or a SparkFun customer/employee testimonial, who knows.
      Update: Looking at similar products, the width/length of the package may be 7.6mm, while the dome is 5mm. SPF Employee verify?

      • RobertC. / about 14 years ago / 1

        I'll be in the office in a little bit and get some dimensions for them. I have a few on my desk.
        And unfortunately, the datasheet above is all we have for it.

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