Adding "Laser On" LED to custom control panel

#1 · September 18, 2022, 7:07 pm

Hi!

I've built a custom control panel for my K40, and it's working well with my MG3 , but I've added an LED on my control panel to show when the laser is actually firing, is there a connection I can make to the MG3 or PSU to make this work?

I'm sure it's been done before!

Thanks In advance.

EDIT: Could I just connect the 12V panel LED+ to the Laser On signal on J3 Pin4?

#2 · September 27, 2022, 10:30 pm

Hi Al,

here's two options for you:

Check out Les' Labs concept - he simply puts an acrylic panel in, and thus utilises the MG3's existing LEDs
You could try connecting an LED to the LO pin (J3 pin 4). But keep in mind that LO is an inverted signal - it is 0V when the laser is active. So you would need a 5V LED with a dropper resistor. For a dim LED, chose 660 Ohms. For a regular brightness LED, choose 330 Ohms. The positive side ('anode') of the LED should connect to any available +5V pin, such as conveniently right next to the LO pin on J3. The negative side ('cathode') of the LED should connect to the LO pin.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

Dan

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