How to connect LEDs??? - Overclock.net

Mr-P · 09-25-06

hey!

I'm begining to have some interest in case modding, so i'm pretty much a newb

I'll begin my first project soon so be aware that I'll be posting a lot of question regarding Case Modding. So here my first question.... for the moment

I want to install a couple of LEDs inside and outside the case. My question is how do I conect them????

Is there a way to connect them directly to the PSU or do I have to plug them on the MB?

Also If I do have to connect them to the mobo then where can I get the connectors ( like the HDD led connector and/or the power led conector)

thanks again for all your help guys

Sin100 · 09-25-06

If your talking about CCRT's then you should get a box, you connect the tubes into the box then you connect a cable that you should have on your PSU into the box, the motherboard isn't involved.
If you have case fans you can use the extra connector on the last line if you get what i mean?!

FrankenPC · 09-25-06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr-P

hey!

I'm begining to have some interest in case modding, so i'm pretty much a newb

I'll begin my first project soon so be aware that I'll be posting a lot of question regarding Case Modding. So here my first question.... for the moment

I want to install a couple of LEDs inside and outside the case. My question is how do I conect them????

Is there a way to connect them directly to the PSU or do I have to plug them on the MB?

Also If I do have to connect them to the mobo then where can I get the connectors ( like the HDD led connector and/or the power led conector)

thanks again for all your help guys

LED's are typically happy at about 3 volts. There is a 3.3 volt line coming from your powersupply for the motherboard. LED's are polarity sensitive. Which means you can only hook them up one way (positive LED lead to 3.3V power line. Other lead to any black wire coming out of the PS.

You can also build in a variable resistor to change the LED intensity (or turn them off). If you are uncomfortable using the 3.3V line from the PS, dig up an elcheapo wall-wart (transformer) which states that it's output is 3.3V DC and use it.

Mr-P · 09-25-06

Well I'm not shure if I understand (CCRTs and Box????)... So here a picture of the led I would like to buy.
http://www.bigfootcomputers.com/Merc...gory_Code=0327

You'll see that theres only like to little pin of metal (+/-) at the end of the bulb and that's what I don't know how to connect???

Hope the picture will help

EDIT: thanks franken! I would like to connect them to the PSU but I don't know how exactly? Do I just have to buy a 3.3V molex and connect the wire to the led and the molex to the PSU?

EDIT2: Something like that
http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/3exca10.html
I cut one of the molex and connect the LED????? very confused.... Sorry!

Sin100 · 09-25-06

CCRT = cold cathode ray tubes.
Box = ...urm..a box you plug each individual CCRT into.

Your link is 'forbidden', do you mean THESE.

Its very easy to guess, i just ordered them and figured out in like two seconds and im pretty sure you will

Like i said about connecting the CCRT's to the box then FROM the box on the other side comes a wire, that wire ends up being a 4 pin connector that connects to your PSU, the box is very small usually.

FrankenPC · 09-25-06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr-P

Well I'm not shure if I understand (CCRTs and Box????)... So here a picture of the led I would like to buy.
http://www.bigfootcomputers.com/Merc...gory_Code=0327

You'll see that theres only like to little pin of metal (+/-) at the end of the bulb and that's what I don't know how to connect???

Hope the picture will help

EDIT: thanks franken! I would like to connect them to the PSU but I don't know how exactly? Do I just have to buy a 3.3V molex and connect the wire to the led and the molex to the PSU?

EDIT2: Something like that
http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/3exca10.html
I cut one of the molex and connect the LED????? very confused.... Sorry!

The only 3.3v line is going to be on the HUGE connector which goes into your mainboard. All the other connectors are either 5V or 12V. You CAN use them, but you will need a resistor dividor network.

One cheap and easy way to deal with this is to buy LED's with integrated resistors. Then, you can tap into one of the red (5V) or yellow (12V) wires on the HDD molex.

These LED's will be labeled as: 5v forward voltage LED's or 12V forward voltage LED's. Do NOT confuse these with 5V or 12V REVERSE voltage LED's.

FrankenPC · 09-25-06

The LED's in your link are typical 3.3V.

Mr-P · 09-25-06

Sorry for the bad link... But no I'm not talking about the Cold Cathode tube. It is only little light bulbs.

Mr-P · 09-25-06

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrankenPC

One cheap and easy way to deal with this is to buy LED's with integrated resistors. Then, you can tap into one of the red (5V) or yellow (12V) wires on the HDD molex.

Do you know a place where I can get those? link?

FrankenPC · 09-25-06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr-P

Do you know a place where I can get those? link?

Yes, but they are only available in red green and yellow. If you want an exotic color like purple or UV, you will need to provide the resistor yourself.

EDIT: OOPS http://www.eled.com/category.asp?cat...+5V+LED&Page=1

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How to connect LEDs???

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