This is solid gold, thank you so much! I'll go looking for a multimeter and resistors after work.
It is powered off mains, and I have been VERY careful not to touch the bare wires while it's plugged in. The fire hazard is definitely noted, as well. At this point, I just want to solve the "mystery" so I'm all the wiser going forward!
Oh, and that EXACT thing you mentioned happened with one of the types of LED's I tried - blinding light from the LED, then it wouldn't light anymore.
Ahhh, this may be the issue. Between your reply and GolfIscarLimaFoxtrot’s, I think this may be it. What would I search for in terms of LED’s with resistors built in?
boeckman t1_j6b8c4z wrote
Reply to My parents in 1986, baby me behind the right boob by Nipsy_russel
Are those real?