need help with LED

[Monster-Addict23]

where can i tap into to add an led to the front of my computer? like the floppy drive?

[Luke122]

Welcome to TBCS!

Depending on the voltage requirement of the LED, you should be able to splice into any molex connector. If it's a 12v LED or 5v, then no resistors are required.

If it's any other voltage, you WILL need a resistor.

Hit the search on the right side for "LED calculator".

[Monster-Addict23]

I figured it out. I tapped into the power led. Switched the green out for red and added 3 more red LEDs.. just to find out that they're not super brights so they're not that noticeable.

[SgtM]

If you need superbright LED's, check out www.ledshoppe.com. I've used them. Great prices, fast shipping. LSDiodes used to be the place to go, but they stopped selling LED's.

[Monster-Addict23]

if i tap into a 12v wire off the power supply it will power LEDs right??

[SgtM]

It'll work after you add the proper resistor. Shoving 12v into a 3.5v LED is just gonna blow it up. Google LED Calculator if you need help finding the right resistance.

[Monster-Addict23]

wiring 4 LEDS in parellel will need over 12v so i should be ok.. other wise all i have to do is add a 1ohm 1/4 resister

[Spawn-Inc]

4 leds in parallel will feed 12v to all of them... you need resistors on each one.

tap into the 5v line and get proper resistors for them according to a resistance calculator.

[Monster-Addict23]

i ment series.. sorry. so each led would get 3v and there 3.3v LEDs

[Eclecticos]

Visit your local autoparts superstore, and buy a standard dash LED.
Solder the "Red" wire of the LED to the "Yellow" 12v wire of your molex adapter.
Solder the "Black" wire of the LED to one of the two black ground wires on your molex.

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/2493/molexp.jpg

[Collinstheclown]

i ment series.. sorry. so each led would get 3v and there 3.3v LEDs

This is correct. :)




-CollinstheClown

[Monster-Addict23]

so hooking up 4 3.3v LEDs to 12v shouldnt need a resistor right? because they will each only get 3 volts

[Collinstheclown]

Correct, they will under powered and won't need the resistor.

However, they will be underpowered and thus not as bright. Keep that in mind.




-CollinstheClown

[Monster-Addict23]

so if i cut the yellow and a black wire off a molex from the power supply it will work? or do i have to buy a female addapter

[Collinstheclown]

As long as those wires make it to the power supply they are good to use.




-CollinstheClown

[Monster-Addict23]

thanks =]hopefully i get the case done on monday..

[Collinstheclown]

Make sure to post it up! :)




-CollinstheClown

[Monster-Addict23]

Project is on hold for a while yet.. busy with work. and school is starting in a couple weeks. but i will work on it as much as possible

[SgtM]

No.. 4 3.3v LED's will still need a resistor. Use a resistor calc to find out what you need.
http://led.linear1.org/led.wiz