Variable intensity pulsating LEDs - WTB

Pandamonium

Golden Member
Aug 19, 2001
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Not sure if this is the right forum, but here goes.....

I'm looking to buy variable intensity pulsing LEDs or instructions for how to construct a gadget to make normal LEDs pulsate. I'm also looking for info to rig such a gadget to XP so that my LEDs will pulsate only when my computer enters sleep mode, or cuts off power to my monitor, etc.


The ultimate goal is to mimic the pulsating effect that Apple has on their power buttons when their newer systems go into sleep mode, except on a bit more than a power button =)
 

nebula

Golden Member
Apr 4, 2001
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You don't want them just to flash/blink right? But rather increase in intensity, say logarithmically? Blinking LEDs can be bought, the other you'll need a circuit. Then maybe you could use the Sleep LED front panel output as a signal for your circuit to start doing it's thing?
 

Jeff7

Lifer
Jan 4, 2001
41,596
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Would this do the job?
Just a single color though...don't know about that. I know that there's electronics engineers at these forums though; try a posting in Off Topic, with a title something like: Electronics experts: Need help/schematics for a slowly pulsating LED circuit
 

nebula

Golden Member
Apr 4, 2001
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I'm a Manufacturing Engineer that's been doing electrical/software stuff for the last few years. I'm going to school part time to get my Elec. Eng. degree.

Anyway, that link you provided sounds like that LED would do the job, or at least be pretty cool! With that, I'd use an opto-isolator chip to interface with the sleep signal from the PC and probably a power source to drive the thing. You could use the 5v line from the PS and a diode to drop the volatge to ~3.8v, it sounds like the resistor is built in. I should order some of those LEDs...

Yeah, try Off Topic or maybe General Hardware, maybe that LED is a little more than you want. If you don't get any response, I'll try to work something up next week.