Modding HDD Power LED

why not just use this one, and only use 1 red and one blue output

 

Just use as few leds as you want. eg. 1 red one one o/p and a blue on the other. Leave any unused outputs unconnected.

 

Sorry guys, for some strange reason (I think it was the new year hang over and the early morning) I had it stuck in my head that I would need to change the resistors and wiring, dont ask me why !!! doh ! Looks like a trip to mappers is in order !!

 

If you are using only one led then I suggest you change the red resistor to 470R and the blue resistor to 270R. Not a big change but won't drive the leds as hard.

 

Hi Macroman

i take it you are based in the UK?

i was wondering how much you'd charge to make me a led rig like you did for your hdd activity on the macroblack case.. ive just purchased the clear plastic case and neon lights etc.

*even got those biohazard fan grills and window etch*

i could send you a cheque/cash what ever you prefer.

how did u make the case blacked out? im taking it was some sort of tinted window sticky stuff?

 

I hope to have the relevant article up within the next few days

 

in the US

Hi. Im new at the whole case mod thing and i just got this awesome new Antec 1040 case in black.i was planning on adding a window and somelighting to start. I love the mod with the hdd L.E.D.'s. I am going to do it with my pc but i have one problem. You gave great part discriptions and its awesome that you even put part numbers and a link to get them at. My problem is that i am in the US. Do you have any input as to where i could find this stuff stateside or a site that deals with the us. Also can yuo use more leds then what you have posted and where did ya get that cool black case for the electonics.Any help would be great.

 

another think. when you say 430R resistor is that 430 ohms resistor or 430k ohm resistor? thanks again

 

430R = 430 Ohms

 

I like this mod. i'm sure i'll be doing it in my next case. But i hwas thinking is it possible to have the led outputs drive a relay to switch 2 Cold cathode tubes, blue and red for example. and does anyone know if the rapid on/off switching would damage the cold cathodes?

 

Jii Dee, the first query, the chip will do 500mA per output, parallelled fours thats 2A, so no problemo driving relays. There's already a diode across the outputs for inductive loads.

Second query, no idea.

Macroman - Excellent idea, I shall light up the louvres on my SX1030b.

One thought, the opto-isolator is a 3v max reverse-voltage diode. Adding another 1N4148 in line with the pin#1 input from mobo would safeguard against making a wrong-way-round mobo connection.

 

I have never tried it on a CCFL but I would hazard a guess the inverter won't like it. I am pretty sure the CCFL lifespan will be somewhat reduced as well.

cpemma - Diode, true. I actually tried reversing the connections on several mobos with no probs. Peeps reverse their case leds all the time with no bad effects so I guess the mobo led current limiting works! I am sure there are probably some mobos out there that may blow it tho'. I just wanted to keep the circuit as simple as poss. Good suggestion

 

Me too, but most case Leds are 5v max reverse so (just) survive.

 

Maplin

I searched on maplin for the QY74 and it gave me the QY74R Is that the correct one, if so they say "This item has been Discontinued"....

 

Macro:

Any way to put a tutorial that we electro-noobs can follow?

Maybe something like adding LEDs to our case and having them connected via the molex connectors (kind of like the LazerLEDs) to the PSU harness?

It's probably pretty simple, but would be a good place to start off (with minimal danger of frying our PCs, burning our houses down or putting our neighbors in danger....)

 

Re: Maplin

Don't you mean QY79?

 

do you mean just attaching an LED thats always on when the PS is on? or switch? or actually attached to anything else?

the first two would be ridiculously easy to do

 

I was thinking either when the PS is on or with a switch. (I know that adding a switch would be trivial.)

It would be a cool thing to add (without having to buy LazerLEDs).

It may be easy, but some of us have to start from somewhere.

 

i'm a n00b when it comes to electronics... the first (and only) thing i've done is to make a lowvoltage halogen lamp, using 3 20W halogen MR16 bulbs, loads of aluminium, switch, LED etc and it worked! 12V AC it was running off, using LEDs off 5V DC would be alot easier

 

lol

cheers Macro, could be...