[jevon]

So after a trip to Radio Shack I have some preliminary results. I didn't know there would be so many options but I ended up with this:

5mm High Brightness Ultraviolet LED - 2 pack
Intensity: 280mcd
Wavelength: 395nm(min), 410nm(max)
Viewing angle: 30 degrees
FW current:20mA
FW supply: 3.2V
These should work well on a glow disc. I taped them to my new CFR glo Teebird and went into a dark room. Disc was lit up well with the black light purplish color of the LED's and some green from the disc trying to glow.

High Brightness Rectangular Red LED - 2 pack
Intensity: 80mcd
Wavelength: 660nm
Viewing angle: 154 degrees
FW current: 20mA
FW supply: 1.9-2.4V
This is going to be my first choice for non-glow plastic. Probably best for clear Champion or Z. The wide viewing angle really lights up a lot of surface area.

5mm Red LED - 2 pack
Intensity: 120mcd
Wavelength: 660nm
Viewing angle: 40
FW current: 20mA
FW supply: 1.8-2.4V
These are what I would use for a more opaque plastic. 120mcd seems to be pushing it as far as brightness goes. The narrower viewing angle does make a cool effect on the disc though.

I picked up a 1.5V battery and a 3V. The 1.5V barely lit anything up. The 3V that I got specifically for the UV LED's is the winner for all. I don't know if it will damage the other one's that have a max voltage of 2.4, only time will tell. I also picked up a 3000mcd LED but the viewing angle is only 12 degrees so I am just going to take that one back.

All my tests were done by taping the LED's and battery to the center of the underside of the disc using some old duct tape. My next test will be for the type of tape to use and to figure out a better way to handle the LED's. I'm thinking I need to solder a couple together so it's only a matter of sliding the LED between the legs and taping them together.