CASEMOD: How To Add Custom LEDs To Case (DIY Wiring)

[szvwxcszxc]

I want to buy bulk [ideally multicolor] LEDs, and wire them up cleanly in my case.

I've never worked with LEDs, but I'm very technologically savvy and it can't be that hard for a person of intelligence and technological know-how to be able to do.

Basically, I want to buy bulk LEDs and wire them up in my case, and I'd like to be able to [ideally] software-control the color, if possible; or whatever way to change the color is cheapest.

Don't want to spend more than $20 total on this mod, and don't want to make the inside of my case ugly with hot glue or wires all over the place. If need be, I'll be happy enough with one solid color I can turn off with just a switch. If I can do this project for only $5 total, I will be even happier!

This is more for fun than anything, as well as learning about LEDs because I always thought LEDs are cool. I already spend over $2000 on this new PC build, so I'm not looking to throw much more of my hard-earned money into it.

p.s. I can get 100 multicolor LEDs (the ones that can change to different colors) for about $6.

 

[stevech]

buy some Christmas tree LED strings that have a controller with random patterns.
Cheap.

But Why?

 

[szvwxcszxc]

No.
Wrong.

I want to be able to make it red some days or blue some days or green some days, etc.
And I want to be able to do shades in between. I prefer a color that is not red-orange but more on the blue side near red. To get that color you must be able to change the color (like you can do on multicolor keyboards - change to whatever color you want).

And I might want blue sometimes but definitely not at night, because blue spectrum light inhibits the brain from converting seratonin into melatonin at night (causing detriment to the sleep cycle).

Definitely do not want flashing or many colors at once like Christmas tree lights....

 

[T_Yamamoto]

But some LED strips from newegg.

 

[Eureka]

Could you link me to those multicolor LED? Because unless you found something different, I was looking into the same ones and they flash randomly (without control).

You would need an LED with a third pin at least. Otherwise, if it's a two pin LED you have no control. And I'm not sure they make those LEDS, at least for cheap.

The simplest way to do what you want is to buy a lot of breadboards and a lot of LEDS. This way you can solder 3-4 LEDS of varying colors onto a single board. Then tie them with a multi-throw switch so you can switch between colors. Drill a small hole into an empty bay cover and use that as a color controller.

If you really want it to be complex, you can use an Arduino board with a potentiometer. Just code the Arduino to turn on/off different lines when you move the potentiometer around. Another idea is to use a pot for each individual color, this way you can have as many combinations as you want.

Alternatively, you could use a potentiometer with a few comparators and transistors and design logic to do it.

As for software control, that's beyond my ability but you can probably do it through serial or using the arduino.

EDIT: I noticed that you said you'd be satisfied with a single color. That's easy, all you do is wire 4 in series, and you can plug that into a molex connector. Each LED has an operating voltage of 2.8-3.3V, so 4 of them only draws around 12V. If you need more than 4, do multiples of 4, say 8 or 12. You can use protoboards to simplify the amount of wiring you have to use (place 4 leds on a single board, have multiple boards, and tie all the boards together with only 2 wires each). Splice a SPST switch in series with the 12V line and drill a hole in a bay cover.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

http://www.nzxt.com/new/products/case_accessories/hue

 

[szvwxcszxc]

http://www.nzxt.com/new/products/case_accessories/hue

GOOD SUGGESTION.
I actually might get that some day.

But I want to DIY for the fun of it.

 

[tracerbullet]

What is your question exactly?

I'm not trying to be a dork - really what are you asking? Some detail on the wiring itself, how to get the right voltage, what to stick the LED's onto, how to hold them in place, what?

If you feel the need to reinvent the wheel maybe go to a Home Depot / Lowes / whatever and start wandering the aisles until you find some things you think will work and get your interest up.

 

[szvwxcszxc]

What is your question exactly?

I'm not trying to be a dork - really what are you asking?

Basically, I want to buy bulk LEDs and wire them up in my case, and I'd like to be able to [ideally] software-control the color, if possible; or whatever way to change the color is cheapest.

.
.

 

[Nemesis 1]

No.
Wrong.

I want to be able to make it red some days or blue some days or green some days, etc.
And I want to be able to do shades in between. I prefer a color that is not red-orange but more on the blue side near red. To get that color you must be able to change the color (like you can do on multicolor keyboards - change to whatever color you want).

And I might want blue sometimes but definitely not at night, because blue spectrum light inhibits the brain from converting seratonin into melatonin at night (causing detriment to the sleep cycle).

Definitely do not want flashing or many colors at once like Christmas tree lights....

This is just to give you an idea of whats available . I use the multi color leds . and run 6 lights on 3 pin 12 volts connection . I use 12 leds . You can buy wiring at froozen cpu or here. I use with fan controler so as to control briteness.

http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=72_107_837

 

[Nemesis 1]

No.
Wrong.

I want to be able to make it red some days or blue some days or green some days, etc.
And I want to be able to do shades in between. I prefer a color that is not red-orange but more on the blue side near red. To get that color you must be able to change the color (like you can do on multicolor keyboards - change to whatever color you want).

And I might want blue sometimes but definitely not at night, because blue spectrum light inhibits the brain from converting seratonin into melatonin at night (causing detriment to the sleep cycle).

Definitely do not want flashing or many colors at once like Christmas tree lights....

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/i...le-280/5mm_BlueRedGreen_Triple_Color_LED.html

 

[tracerbullet]

.
.

Right. I see what you want to do. I still don't see a question. Questions start with words like what, or how, and end with questions marks. You're stating what you'd like to do, but not asking what part of it you want help with.

Again - what are you asking? Some detail on the wiring itself, how to get the right voltage, what to stick the LED's onto, how to hold them in place, what?

 

[bononos]

How much power does an led consume?

 

[szvwxcszxc]

Right. I see what you want to do. I still don't see a question. Questions start with words like what, or how, and end with questions marks. You're stating what you'd like to do, but not asking what part of it you want help with.

Again - what are you asking? Some detail on the wiring itself, how to get the right voltage, what to stick the LED's onto, how to hold them in place, what?

You're smart. I'm not going to baby you; you can know the implied question. Just use that noggin of yours.

How much power does an led consume?

Almost none; don't worry about that in terms of power consumption. You could add 100 and it wouldn't really matter at all, computer will have pretty much same mount of power.

 

[tracerbullet]

You're smart. I'm not going to baby you; you can know the implied question. Just use that noggin of yours.

I see, it's a contest of wills. You don't actually ask a question, and after being asked what you need a hand with, now you refuse to. You win. Good luck w/ your project.

 

[Zap]

You may want to look into LEDs like these. They are designed to run off 12v (instant computer PSU compatibility) and you can customize the length to whatever you want as long as you cut the strip on the specified cut marks (every 3 LEDs?). They are RGB LEDs and can display whatever color they are told. Trick is to tell them the color. They use controllers and a remote for this. You'd have to do more research on how to make it controllable through a computer.

How much power does an led consume?

Extremely little.