I've browsed some of the threads on UV LEDs, and have a question I didn't see answered. How well will UV LEDs make UV reactive items in a case glow? Presumably, not as well as a cold cathode setup, but will it be noticable? Especially if I use standard (10kmcd) blue LEDs to throw light elsewhere in the case. The ones I ordered (the UVs) are $2.00 for 10 (5mm) including resistors for 12V usage, and free shipping. Doesn't list the candellas, although the listed "peak wavelength" is 400. I figure, my new PS has ready to go UV reactive cables, I may as well use the UV part.... Thanks, and if anyone is interested in where I got the LEDs, just post, I'll put in a link....
where are you buying the leds at? and i have a fan thats all uv reactive and had 4 leds and it glowed nicely, if you put a uv led next to something uv reactive it glows nicely in my opinion.
I was recently playing with some LEDs and was actually quite surprised that the purple ones cased certain items to fluoresce ("glow") quite a bit. That was with a bar or 6 purple ones but actual UV ones should work even better - as long as you use enough (how many you need is up to you to test).
If you have mutliple LEDs or a string of LEDs, they'll be much better than CCFLs. You'll have to diffuse the lenses on the LEDs (usually sand them with fine sandpaper) to get a smooth, diffuse glow like CCFLs, but you can get quite a bit more light with a good LED string. All the energy is going into lighting up the center of the case, instead of the lighting the case panels as well, like with a CCFL (which can be remedied with say, aluminum tape however). Anyway. I like LEDs more. No bulky inverter, no risk of failure or fires, more efficient, better technology, etc etc.
one thing to consider is that LEDs are very directional compare to CCFLs so you either need to use something to diffuse the lense or just have them spead out and pointing at whatever it is you want to glow, as there small (compared to CCFLs) it's often possible to actually buld them into you side panel /fan / molex / whatever you want to glow.
eBay... http://stores.ebay.com/Chi-Wing-LED-product-shop_W0QQssPageNameZstrkQ3amefsQ3amesstQQtZkm Bought a 100 pack of 3mm blue from this guy a year or so back, bright as all get out, and fairly cheap. Still haven't actually done anything with them yet, migrated to a new case, and haven't taken the time to put a window in yet...
Again, UV LEDs are generally very directional, so for something like lightling up cabling, you'll need to diffuse them. In my opinion, tho, the most critical part of UV stuff is making sure there is good contrast. If you want to light up your cabling, but its hanging in front of metal or reflective or brightly colored casing and background, it just won't stand out. Put it in front of black, and it will pop. Here I used 2 small LEDs, but the contrast is very nice in the dark recess of a fan shroud.
