Running LEDs off a computer power supply?

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Maybe you guys have done this...
I'm hoping to illuminate my computer case with blue LEDs and I was wondering how many LEDs I would need to run on one branch of the power supply's molex connectors to keep the LEDs from being overpowered and yellowing or whatever.
Power supplies have both 5V DC and 12V DC current, and the entire PS I have is the enermax 350W PS. Thanks
-Greg
[email protected]

 

[Silviron]

You could run 3 series Blue (or white or SOME greens) LEDS off the 12 V directly, although I'd recommend a resistor of about 50-60 ohms in the series too, and you could run as many parallel sets of these 3 series LEDs you want.

Off the 5V, you can use one blue LED in series with a 60-70 ohm resistor, as many as you want in parallel.

If using Reds, yellows, oranges, some greens, the answer would be different.

 

[Saaby]

Just a suggestion...an easy way to get the necessary wiring would be to go to your local Radio Shack and get one of those splitter dealies that allows you to take one of the power connectors and split it into two. That way you have a wiring harness or sorts. That way you won't have to splice off one of the permanent connectors for your power supply, so if you scwer up you can just buy another or someting, and if you ever have to replace your power supply, you won't have to re-wire it all, and when you get a new computer you can easily transfer the whole setup if you wish.

 

[**DONOTDELETE**]

First off thanks, I do appreciate the help.

So what do you mean by a "3 series" blue led? Do you mean 3 blue leds, wired in series, or is a "3-series" a type of blue led?

Where can I buy blue leds? I can get 5mm ones out of a catalog somewhere, but I really want those huge like 11mm ones... they look like bullets or something. I just want big hunky blue leds, and lots of em.

And saaby, I have a molex connector. I'm not going to cut up my enermax PS... it's a nice PS.

thanks

 

[Darell]

He means three in series, for sure.

The huge LEDs are typically very tightly focussed. Just a warning if you want them to provide "area" lighting... they'll be trying to burn a hole in whatever they're aimed at.

Using the regulated DC voltage from the PS is a great use. I'm powering a desk fan with it currently (oooh, little electronics pun there).

 

[**DONOTDELETE**]

LOL currently

You gotta understand that I'm spending about 11 hours a day in front of a computer, so social interaction isn't exactly my forte, and little puns like that really give me a good chuckle. hehehe
Anyway!
I want a bit of light. But I do want indirect, diffused light. I really want a "glow". Kinda like an ambient glow, something you can't really spot to one location. Will a 5mm be okay? I'm not really big on all the types of leds, but I'm not stupid either, so I'll catch on generally.
Well, I would like to have this done asap, but my lack of knowledge gives me a bit of resistance in my descision...(lol I'm so pungent)

 

[DavidW]

If you're not stuck on LED's, Plycon.com has a couple of ready-made lights for computers.

http://www.plycon.com/ltape.htm

http://www.plycon.com/caselght.htm


Plus an LED fan:

http://www.plycon.com/quad80.htm


I ordered a golden orb cooler from them a long time ago. Service was good.


Edit: Here is a quick how-to with a link to a familiar website:

http://www.gideontech.com/guides/led_replace/

 

[DavidW]

Some more stuff I found.

http://www.glowire.com

http://www.sunbeamtech.com

http://www.casefreakz.net

 

[Lantern Jack O.]

Speaking of glowire.com, I see they have some LED's already set up for molex connectors.

http://www.glowire.com/Lazer%20LEDs.htm

 

[Darell]

One of the best diffused LEDS I've ever seen are the Nichia 312's. They're 3mm, and have the most beautiful, uniform beam out there. VERY sexy. Another choice that I've used with good effect, is very wide-angle (120 degree) whites that are 5mm in chip form (rectangular).

What fantastic links, guys. I sure wish I'd used one of those fans for my desk fan project! One of those Molex-connected clusters would be the easiest lighting mod ever.

 

[**DONOTDELETE**]

great links guys. I now have even MORE inspiration!

I'm mainly concerned about the resistance of a single blue LED, and exactly what resistors I will need to prevent it from burning out.
I read on one page that a 5mm blue led is about 3.7 volts, so I guess that on a 12V lead I can run about 3 of them, with a very small resistor, and be okay.
Or on a 5V lead I can run one of them (multiple in parallel) and then run something like a 100 ohm resistor.
But I dont want to run a lot of resistors, so Ill probably run it on a 12V lead.

Darell,
where can I buy some of these Nicha 312 LEDs? How many will I need to get a good, even "glow" out of my case? Do you think I will have to mount them all around the case, or can I centralize them (eaiser to wire up) and let the nice diffuse light illuminate the case?

Thank you guys SO MUCH. The candlepower forums are probably my favorite forums because you guys just rock. Big time karma points for you guys

 

[**DONOTDELETE**]

where can I get these nicha 312 leds? thanks...