LED's without current limiting resistor.

[Hupla]

Ok so say if the voltage drop for the LED is 1.6v and thats all Im putting across the LED, does it still need a resistor?

[petemoore]

  Yup, the easy way is to use a current limiting resistor.
  To control the flow of current using voltage alone would be more difficult at least.

[Hupla]

But all that's available to me is 1.6v. If I put a resistor there the voltage will be too small and the light very dim, would it not?

[darron]

if you are supplying the LED with only 1.6V then you won't need a limiting resistor, no. you'd only need the limiting resistor if you are supplying it from the 9V that stomp boxes usually run on. what is the source of the 1.6V though?

[BAARON]

And what are you trying to do with the LED?  What is it for?

[ayayay!]

Pete's right.  You'd still want to control the current to mitigate/stabilize power consumption.  A small resistor between 100 - 300 would probably do.  

[Hupla]

Its not a stomp box. Tis for a project in college. Were using a spdt switch to switch between 2 different potential dividers of 1.6v and -1.6v. Its to move a motor by a set amount. We have to put in an led for each to show which way its going, and the only way I can think of doing it with a spdt switch is to have it coming off the 1.6v after the switch. If you understand what I mean.

I just asked the question here cause I couldnt find the answer else where, sorry if im not meant to.