how to wire rgb led

[snz728]

I want to put two effects in the same enclosure. 

How can I wire an RGB LED  using madbean's wiring layout  so that I have one color for each effect and another color when they are both on?

This is the LED I was looking at (Common cathode, three anodes)http://www.taydaelectronics.com/leds/round-leds/rgb-led-5mm.html

[JakeFuzz]

I don't think you will be able to do it with just two 3PDT switches. You only have one pole each to use for the LED. When both are on you need to somehow turn off the two other colors and enable the color that indicates both effects are active. That is too many actions to perform with just one switch. I can see a way of doing it with logic gates and relays but that seems a little overboard.

Those are just three LED's in one package though so if you just wire it up like you normally would two individual LED's you will get a blend of the two colors with both anodes turned on.

[midwayfair]

Those are just three LED's in one package though so if you just wire it up like you normally would two individual LED's you will get a blend of the two colors with both anodes turned on.

This. Use a 2-color LED instead of a 3-color (or snap off one of the anodes) and you'll get a third color when both anodes are on.

If you try to do all three colors ... remember your elementary school science class. Red +Green + Blue light = white.

[snz728]

Thank you guys, that is what I thought too.  I'll be happy with two colors and a mix.

Now can someone please explain how to wire the switch in the madbean fashion because the RGB LED has a single common cathode and, correct me if I'm wrong, I should wire the cathode to the switch and the anode to the power.  So how do I wire it?  please be specific for this novice.

[JakeFuzz]

It would probably be much easier if I drew it but here is an explanation anyways.

If you look at the ground wire on the standard wiring diagram switch (that dark brown wire that is attached to three lugs), you notice that it switches the cathode of the LED to ground when the effect is engaged. This is what turns the LED on. Because you want to switch the anode now you need to connect +9 Volts to that center lug on the far left pole of the switch. The "off" lug of the left pole will be just be open (no connection) and the "on" lug of the left pole will go to the anode you want to select for that switch. Ground will still be wired to the bottom lug of the center pole to ground the input of the effect when it is not in use.

The cathode of your LED will look the same as the anode pictured in the standard diagram except the resistor will now be connected to ground (wherever is most convenient) instead of +9 Volts. That should do it. I can draw up a wiring picture for you when I get home tonight if I didn't explain it well.

[snz728]

Thanks Paul

here is a diagram i drew please check if it's right
http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/4644/wiringrgbled.jpg