Need a tutorial on various LEDs for case...

[shawnoen]

I need some help wiring up LEDs. Case ones, fans ones, status LEDs, etc...

I just bought a Bulgin Vandal switch from PPC along with an led header splitter. Figured I install the splitter on the motherboard (EVGA x58) and run it to the switch LED and the stock PC power led on my Lian Li case.

Well, that didn't work out so hot. Only one of them will light up. Guess you can't "split" power to LEDs like that?

When you buy a fan with built in LEDs how to you power those? Or are they wired together so you just plug em in to the stock 3 pin header on the motherboard and thats it?

And for case lighting, how do you power those?

I have a Corsair HX620 power supply. Can you somehow wire LEDs right to the power supply?

Thanks for answering all my stupid questions!

 

[freakyhair]

To start off, splitting LEDs is not a good way to go. If you're lucky, they will both light, but be about half as bright. They are not light bulbs, they are diodes. This means electricity only flows through them one way, and there is a require voltage to get them to even turn on, then you have to limit the current. If you're not quite following, do some reading on 'Ohm's Law' to figure out how voltage, current and resistance all work together. It's pretty easy math, just have to understand how these things all work together.

I found a decent web page on how to light LEDs: http://unclean.org/howto/led_circuit.html

When you buy a fan with built in LEDs how to you power those?

They are pre-wired to just work. Everything is done internally for you (at least all mine have been).

And for case lighting, how do you power those?

If it came in a kit, then there are probably instructions. If you are buying LEDs separately, you'll have to figure out a circuit.

I have a Corsair HX620 power supply. Can you somehow wire LEDs right to the power supply?

Yes, you need to know the 'forward voltage' of your LED, and the rated current. Keep in mind, the rated current is usually a maximum, and you're better off to go way less to keep from burning you LED out.

Do you have the specs for the LED you are trying to light?

 

[Raci]

All about LEDs. Just to reinforce the idea that they're not just light bulbs.

 

[shawnoen]

Thanks for the info. How would I find and connect LEDS to the 3.3V or 5V "rail" on my HX620 power supply? Corsair's site doesn't have any diagrams for the power supply rails to show which is which...