LED light installing

[mileman]

(The title is misleading...it should be LED/CCFL light installing )

Hey, I'm just starting to mod a case that i have, and i was wondering how and where to put in my LED lights (I am very new to computers and modding them espicially ) so if anyone has any suggestions or ideas then please tell me.

Thank you

 

[Roofles]

They are pretty easy to work with, you just need to pick a power supply rail 12V or 5V.

Then find the LED turn on voltage (hovers are 3V) and the forward bias current (approximately 10mA).

To not burn out the LED you must/should install a current limiting resistor. For this example lets say we are using the 5V rail. (also review the assumptions above) Since 5V - 3V = 2V we need to drop 2V across a resistor. Since V=IR, we know that 2V / 10mA (forward bias current) we need a 200 Ohm resistor.

Lastly, LED's are directional in the way current must flow, so make sure they are installed the right way.

Also check the project log sticky for lots of LED stores.

 

[Deadbot1_1973]

to the forums. What type of LEDs are you using and for what? Are you talking about single LEDs for power and HDD access indicators, or Meteor strips for lighting? Or something else?

 

[Aman]

I would like to know also. I wanted to add few LED's for the effect but i don't know anything about the wiring, rails or anything. Only way i could think of was tape one AA battery in the case and use that as a power supply.

 

[mileman]

to the forums. What type of LEDs are you using and for what? Are you talking about single LEDs for power and HDD access indicators, or Meteor strips for lighting? Or something else?

I'm using Logisys Cold cathode lights. I'm using them for modding my case. so ya... lights will be on the inside...and the side panel will be plexiglass so it will illuminate the inside

here's the specifications...

Tube diameter: 3.0mm
Tube length: 300mm/100mm
Input voltage of inverter: 12v
Output voltage of inverter: 680v
Current draw: 5.0mAv
Brightness: 28,000~30,000 cd/m?
Lifetime: 30,000 hours

 

[freakdiablo]

So your using LEDs with the cold cathodes to light your case?

 

[Navig]

Linear1 LED center.

mileman, just to reiterate, you do know that LEDs and CCFLs are very very different things?

LEDs are powered straight off DC voltage, so they can be hooked directly to your power supply. However, your 2 easily accessible voltages, 12V (yellow wires) and 5V (red wires) are usually too much voltage and will burn out an LED.

So to put together an appropriate circuit consult Linear1's parallel or series LED wizard. Basically, you must resist down the 12V or 5V lines to an appropriate voltage for the LED.

To physically handle circuits, you will need some things: wire 20 gauge will be fine, wire strippers, electrical tape. You'll need a way to power the LEDs--either off the powersupply, so you'll need some molex connectors to splice the wires off, or you'll need the tools to create your own molex connectors. Aman, you can use 2 AA batteries to generate the typical 3V for an LED, but then they will be on all the time until the batteries die!

Hope that gets you started.

navig

 

[Deadbot1_1973]

Um ya, what naviq said...those cold cathodes should have come with a small inverter. it has dummy proofed plugs. One goes to the molex connectors(prolly has a pci plate mounted switch), the others go to the tubes themselves. They usually come with velcro for mounting, which works fine for most uses. The placement is entirely up to you. I would recommend trying to put the inverter somewhere where it will get decent airflow, as they can get hot.

Aman You need to know a few things about the LED that you are working with. First you need to know the forward voltage of the led, second the rated current(listed as mA). Plug those numbers into the calculator at Linear.org along with the number of leds and your source voltage(5v or 12v depending on the line you take from on the molex). It will spit out a result for you. It should tell you the resistor size you will need as well as the best circuit to use.

 

[mileman]

ya im really new at this...thanks for the help.

lol i thought that Cold cathode lights were some sort of brand. HAHA

 

[Aman]

You guys are like speaking chinesse to me..lol Making computers is easy you just put the hardware and stuff in but this stuff is confusing especially when i don't you know what you guys are talking about. I need to take a electronic class next year..

 

[Deadbot1_1973]

Ok, a quick primer. LED is short for Light Emitting Diode. A diode is a type of electronic that allows voltage to flow in only one direction. there are specs for this type of diode that are required to build a proper circuit for it. The forward voltage is a spec that determines how much voltage the diode can safely pass. The mA rating is the AMOUNT of current that it can safely pass measured in miliAmperes(thus mA). Your supply voltage is the voltage of the wire that you use to power it(on a molex plug(the ones that plug into the hard disks and such) the red is +5v and the yellow is +12v). If you are new to electronics and want to learn more then I would search for info online and check your local library for books on the subject. And a course in it is a great idea.

 

[Deadbot1_1973]

ya im really new at this...thanks for the help.

lol i thought that Cold cathode lights were some sort of brand. HAHA

Hey NP, and don't feel bad. The first step to learning anything is asking a question...

 

[mileman]

ok,
so would i install the CCFL to my power supply, or where do i hook up the wires

 

[Navig]

mileman,

Most CCFLs come in a kit, with a number of items:

1) The bulbs--typically 2, which are directly connected to a pair of wires that terminate in a little 3-pin plug, of which only the outer 2 pins are being used.

2) Invertor--a small box usually about 1 in by 1 in by 4 in. On one end will be 2x3-pin ports, in which you plug the wires from the bulbs. On the other end will be a 2-pin connector. This 2 pin port is how the invertor receives power from your power supply.

3) A Mass O Cables--the MOC have several connectors. 1) the mini 2-pin connector mentioned above to hook up to the invertor 2) 2 4pin molex connectors--one connector must hook up to an available 4pin connector from your power supply. The other is in case you want to daisy chain other things, another fan or something else--leave this one empty for now 3) a pci slot back plate with a switch. Switch on or off!

4) To summarize: Power supply --> 4pin molex connector --> MOC --> Invertor --> CCFL. Hook all up. Flip switch and lights should go on!

navig

 

[Mv830]

Yeah I got 2 cold cathode tubes at CompUSA and they were really easy to hook up. The tubes have wires that hook into an adapter and then the adapter has a wire switch which connects to a molex. The kit was $20, I put one light on top and one in the bottom and my case lights up like vegas now

 

[Navig]

Oh I'll show you lightin' up like vegas:

 

[freakdiablo]

All I have to say is don't get mad dog lights. mine burned out in 20 minutes.

 

[mileman]

thanks navig.