Chosing L.E.D.'s Question

[w0lv3r1n3]

I'm in the process of starting my case mod and was thinking of
something simular to the Alumax Mod..
http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5554

I will be using mostly red led's with some UV ones also.. possibly
up to 30 total ( seperate circuit's ).
The questions I have are: mainly, what ones do I look for? I don't
want them to be too bright, but with the total of them in the case,
to lighten the case so-as to see the component's within..
thanx everyone !

[SgtM]

Well, to tone them down wouldn't be very hard. Lets say that you need a 1/8 watt resistor in the circuit to power the LED. To tone down the brightness, you could go up the next higher resistor value. -OR- you could just get the lower rated LED's. Something like 2600mcd versus 5000mcd.

mcd = Millicandela which 1/1000 of a candela.

Candela - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candela

Here's a good discussion regarding mcd and angle values (http://www.electro-tech-online.com/general-electronics-chat/8987-millicandela-rating-system-how-does-work.html)

[Spawn-Inc]

Well, to tone them down wouldn't be very hard. Lets say that you need a 1/8 watt resistor in the circuit to power the LED. To tone down the brightness, you could go up the next higher resistor value. -OR- you could just get the lower rated LED's. Something like 2600mcd versus 5000mcd.

it also makes them cheaper i believe.

mcd = Millicandela which 1/1000 of a candela.

Candela - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candela

Here's a good discussion regarding mcd and angle values (http://www.electro-tech-online.com/general-electronics-chat/8987-millicandela-rating-system-how-does-work.html)

if you haven't bought the leds yet i have to recommend LSdiodes (http://www.lsdiodes.com/), 0.45 leds with $2.00 world wide shipping. plus freebies and a RWKY (http://www.lsdiodes.com/jpg/sticker/sticker.jpg) sticker.

i was going to say make sure you psu can handle the extra lights but i see already its 700watt so thats should be fine.

[w0lv3r1n3]

what about these?
http://www.besthongkong.com/product_info.php?cPath=7&products_id=15
Or would they be too bright? Also while I'm here thinking about it,
24 gauge wire good to use?

Thanx

[SgtM]

Those are a little dull to me,(I like the bright ones), but that's what you're going for. They're 1400-2000 mcd. I think they'll be fine for your application. If they're still too bright, remember, you can always use a bigger resistor to tone it down even more.

I have to back Spawn up on the lsdiodes recommendation. Great source to get your LED's from.

24 gauge would work just fine.

[w0lv3r1n3]

Well I think I'm gonna order both.. I have uses for both..
But for the UV's, I'll want the brighter one's..
I was thinking of mounting some at the edge if the Motherboard,
just behind it.. I have the chrome mounts, do you think there
will clearance there?
Thanx again guys

[Spawn-Inc]

i'm not exactly sure what you mean by chrome mounts but i would think 3mm led would fit behind the mobo. make sure you cover everything orelse you might short out your mobo. if they don't fit you can sand them down a bit but be careful you don't snad to far.

[SgtM]

i'm not exactly sure what you mean by chrome mounts but i would think 3mm led would fit behind the mobo. make sure you cover everything orelse you might short out your mobo. if they don't fit you can sand them down a bit but be careful you don't snad to far.

I concur.. Gotta spread the rep around, but you've got some coming your way.

::EDIT::
You have been repped.

[w0lv3r1n3]

http://www.besthongkong.com/product_info.php?cPath=5_55&products_id=124

Chrome Mounts...
I'll have to wait for my case to get here and then check to
see if they will fit.. Otherwise I will try 3mm ones..
Thanx

[Spawn-Inc]

what kind of effect do you want? a nice glow all around your mobo (which sounds nice and i might even do it so +rep for the idea) or to be able to see the leds sticking out from the mobo? if you want a nice even glow i would pickup some EL/Glow wire (http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=98&products_id=3161). it will be alot easier, and shouldn't cause any shorts since its rubber/plastic all around the it.

[w0lv3r1n3]

Yeah EL Wire might work.. And yes I want a nice red glow ALL
the way around the Motherboard, from underneath..
but none of the actual lights or any wires showing..
The reason I was thinking of LED's instead, was that I'm not
all that sure EL would be bright enough.. I'm looking for a nice
very noticeable glow eminating from underneath the MB, but
certainly not bright enough to burn yer eyeballs, and not to
distract from the rest of the interior of the case..

[Spawn-Inc]

i'm not 100% sure but i think it would be the best thing for your app. i went on google to see if it would list a number but couldn't. here is what i did find though,


Q.How bright is electroluminescent wire?
A.Electroluminescent wires are bright enough for outlining and decorative purposes. From dusk onwards they are quite obvious, getting more noticeable with nightfall.

Increasing input voltage and/or frequency will increase the brightness of the wire.

Tips on additional ways to increase the general brightness of electroluminescent wire:

Doubling or tripling the wire results in greater brightness. Applying reflective or white paint under the electroluminescent wire(in a sign, for instance, achieves an increase in glow).

you can get 5 feet of red for 5.99 at Xoxide (http://www.xoxide.com/5ftredelwire.html). if you got 2 you could go around your motherboard 2 -3 times to make it brighter if you wanted.

[w0lv3r1n3]

true.. thanx man...
8-)

[w0lv3r1n3]

Just ordered a 12cm Flexible Red LED Water Proof Tube
( also a 42cm one )

http://www.besthongkong.com/product_info.php?products_id=176&osCsid=41b760a835f8ac52e7023fad2caa5fb5


Don't know if it will fit under the MB, however I'm sure I can
find a use for it.. Gonna be awhile before I can actually get ya pix, as
I'm getting the Black Pearl MB. It's rare.. And very spendy.. But
major Sha-wing factor..
:)
I should probably get a start on my Mod Log and post it..
Just be patient if everyone would, It's gonna be my Winter
project..
Peace..

[Kill_Switch]

What about taking the glowire 1.5" around the motherboard (underneth) and tacing it in place with some hotglue?

One thing that popped into my head at the moment.

[w0lv3r1n3]

I finally received the LED Tube's!

http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/4985/ledtuber400x300mq2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

I got 2 12CM and 1 24CM.. And.. they fit underneath a motherboard !

Now I just have to come up with the cash and have the Black Pearl MB
in stock somewhere and I'm in Business again..
Hopefully I'll be able to get another mod I've been working on done and
posted on my worklog soon.. Just been a very busy month.
L8'er guys

[w0lv3r1n3]

I know it's been forever since I have posted in this
thread. Here is what I have come up with.
I used the strip leds behind the MB facing out to the side.
PS - The wiring isn't done yet. lol

http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/2862/img2518d.jpg

[nevermind1534]

Nice