LED Light strip just caught fire?

gumbie · Jul 23, 2014

Hi all, Didn't know where else to post this, but since it was connected to my motherboard I thought I'd post it here.

Lets start with some background history about my self.

I've been building my own systems and friends systems for the past 10 years, So have a very good understanding of the do's and don'ts of PC building, But this recent issue has me stumped?

I recently put together a new system for my self, roughly 2 weeks old.

Specs:

4790k
Maximus VII Gene
8GB G.Skill 2400Mhz
(NO GPU YET)
250GB Samsung 840 EVO
Seasonic X660w Platinum V2
Fractal Design Node 804

Anyway, What happend was I've had my pc up and running with no issues for the past 2 weeks.

I then remembered I had some LED lighting (Phobya Branded), So as you do, I shut down my PC, Disconnected the power from the power supply (And from the wall), Waited until all power had left the system, Plugged in the LED lighting strip into the bottom right 4 pin header on my motherboard, Reconnected the power then hit the power button.

I instantly heard crackling as the PC booted up, The pc then shut it self off (Asus double boot thingy), I looked inside and couldn't see anything, thinking to my self that didn't sound good.. PC booted again, and to my amazement, the 4 Pin cable of the LED lighting strip started bellowing out with white smoke, Instantly cut the power to the PC, Removed the LED lighting and inspected the rest of the PC for any external damage to components, Which I couldn't see, Started up the system and it boots normally.

Grabbed a spare fan I had laying around to test if it would burst into flames if connected to the bottom 4 Pin header on the motherboard, It didn't and system booted fine again.

Now, I'm not sure if my motherboard caused this or if the LED lighting strip was just badly wired, Keep in mind, I had this LED lighting strip running just fine in my previous build, but it had been sitting in the garage for some time before I re-used it.

I guess my question is.. What the F@#$ Happend?

Should I be concerned about my Motherboard frying other components? Could it of been My PSU? Or was it simply just a bad cable for the LED Strip?

iCrap · Jul 23, 2014

Sounds like the LED strip had a short somewhere... I have had that happen before. Your PC should be fine though, throw away that strip (or fix the short and cut out the burned area)

ebhsimon · Jul 23, 2014

I wouldn't think it's your motherboard frying it, but I can't say for sure. I know that LED strips are made to run at 12V, which is what motherboard fan headers give at (max). It sounds like a fault in the LED strip, but if you want to completely rule out the motherboard try get the LED strip replaced and connect it again - if it blows you know it's not the strip.

I wouldn't tihnk it's your PSU though. In terms of likelihood the culprit would be:
1. LED strip (wiring got messed up and shorted out)
2. Motherboard
3. PSU
4. Rat living in your PC gnawing on wires.

gumbie · Jul 23, 2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by iCrap

Sounds like the LED strip had a short somewhere... I have had that happen before. Your PC should be fine though, throw away that strip (or fix the short and cut out the burned area)

It's already in the bin

, However i'll be buying a new strip just for testing purposes!
Quote:

Originally Posted by ebhsimon

I wouldn't think it's your motherboard frying it, but I can't say for sure. I know that LED strips are made to run at 12V, which is what motherboard fan headers give at (max). It sounds like a fault in the LED strip, but if you want to completely rule out the motherboard try get the LED strip replaced and connect it again - if it blows you know it's not the strip.

I wouldn't tihnk it's your PSU though. In terms of likelihood the culprit would be:
1. LED strip (wiring got messed up and shorted out)
2. Motherboard
3. PSU
4. Rat living in your PC gnawing on wires.

Thanks for your reply! Will defintely be buying another strip to test the header, Worked fine with a fan plugged in though.

gumbie · Jul 23, 2014

Added some pictures for people to see the horror

MugenVtec · Jul 23, 2014

Hey, I had the same issue! Kinda. So I have these Logisys LED tubes, and I modded the wires so it can connect via a 3 pin fan header. Plugged it into my motherboard, and then I hear a crack and pop, and smoke and flames..on the motherboard that is (I wish it was the LED). And these LEDs were rated at 12V too, so I figured the motherboard would have no problems with it.

so...I'm thinking the same thing...what the heck is going on?

But I plug in a fan at the header, and it works. So wth?

mitchcook420 · Jul 23, 2014

That sucks!

These postings make me glad I went with an NZXT cable kit I have had it for years and it has never let me down!

gumbie · Jul 23, 2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by MugenVtec

Hey, I had the same issue! Kinda. So I have these Logisys LED tubes, and I modded the wires so it can connect via a 3 pin fan header. Plugged it into my motherboard, and then I hear a crack and pop, and smoke and flames..on the motherboard that is (I wish it was the LED). And these LEDs were rated at 12V too, so I figured the motherboard would have no problems with it.

so...I'm thinking the same thing...what the heck is going on?

But I plug in a fan at the header, and it works. So wth?

Damn that sucks! Luckily no damage was done to my motherboard, Just the cable of the LED strip literally ignited lol..

The fan plug on the led strip is un harmed aswell, So must of been a bad wire somewhere in the LED strip

Sin0822 · Jul 23, 2014

it could be drawing more current from the fan header than the header can supply, your PSU supplies a crapload more power.

Also that is a short.

XanderTheGoober · Jul 23, 2014

This is why i just buy cheap pvc leds on ebay, solder wires to a molex connector and call it good. Less risk of a fan header frying.

ebhsimon · Jul 23, 2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by XanderTheGoober

This is why i just buy cheap pvc leds on ebay, solder wires to a molex connector and call it good. Less risk of a fan header frying.

I've got mine connected to one of the knobs on my fan controller. Infinitely variable brightness

XanderTheGoober · Jul 23, 2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by ebhsimon

I've got mine connected to one of the knobs on my fan controller. Infinitely variable brightness

i tried that one time with these 12V led strips, and when it gets down to a certain voltage the lights actually pulse instead of just a dimmer light. leds are weird like that.

LED Light strip just caught fire?

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