Adding a light switch to LED case fans

[ContraptionMaker]

Lighted case fans are cool but unless you spend the big bucks there is no way to turn off the lights. Adding a switch to your fan is fairly simple if you have basic soldering skills. I did this mod because I wanted to turn off all my other lights when the UV's were on. Let's get started....

http://contraptionmaker.info/SpiderHouse/Fan_Switch/slides/P1010016.JPG

In addition to the soldering iron and solder we need an old USB cable and an Exato knife. I used a USB cable because of the size of the wires. They need to be small enough to feed under the motor housing of the fan.


http://contraptionmaker.info/SpiderHouse/Fan_Switch/slides/P1010015.JPG

The first step is to remove the sticker covering the wiring. Once you do this locate the negitive connection of the LED's.


http://contraptionmaker.info/SpiderHouse/Fan_Switch/slides/P1010018.JPG

Here I have unsoldered the negitve wires. I have also temporarily soldered a bare wire to them so you can see how this will be wired. This is also a good way to test your wiring plan. Simply plug in the fan and touch the end of the wire to one of the original negitive terminals to make sure the lights work. If they do then you are ready to continue wiring.


http://contraptionmaker.info/SpiderHouse/Fan_Switch/slides/P1010021.JPG

Here I have fed the black wire under the motor housing and attached the end to the first wire. Be sure to tape all your connections as you do not bare wires touching the circuit board of the fan.



http://contraptionmaker.info/SpiderHouse/Fan_Switch/slides/P1010020.JPG

The hardest part is stripping the wires in the middle to make the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th connection.


http://contraptionmaker.info/SpiderHouse/Fan_Switch/slides/P1010022.JPG

Again be sure to tape up the connection to prevent shorts.


http://contraptionmaker.info/SpiderHouse/Fan_Switch/slides/P1010023.JPG

Then pull the wire through the housing and move on the the 3rd connection.


http://contraptionmaker.info/SpiderHouse/Fan_Switch/slides/P1010024.JPG

Here is the completed the wiring. The 3rd and 4th wire connects just like the 2nd wire. The green wire attaches to the original negitive connection. Once the fan is powered up, you turn on the lights by touching the black and green wires together. These are what will connect to your switch.


http://contraptionmaker.info/SpiderHouse/Fan_Switch/slides/P1010027.JPG

Here is the fan running, no lights.


http://contraptionmaker.info/SpiderHouse/Fan_Switch/slides/P1010028.JPG

Touch the green to the black and "Woopee!" we have lights! Now I will be able to turn the lights on and off without affecting the fan. Also using a speed contol on the fan will not dim the lights.


http://contraptionmaker.info/SpiderHouse/Fan_Switch/slides/P1010029.JPG

Finish off the mod with a new sticker to cover the printed ciruit board and new wiring.

Althoug not all fans will have the exact same wiring, it should be pretty simple to figure out which wires to use. If all else fails send me a pic of your fan with the sticker removed and I will try to help you out.

[blueonblack]

Nice! At first I was like, there's got to be an easier way, but the final pics look really good, very nice finished look. I like it. :up: +rep
________
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[SgtM]

Very cool mod. +rep

[TheMainMan]

I wish I had thought to do something like this when I had mine apart to change the colour. +rep for the usefulness

[KiLLERMAN21]

Thats great man, itll really help me soon :) only problme is that I have NO soldering skills whatsoever. +rep

[ContraptionMaker]

Thats great man, itll really help me soon :) only problme is that I have NO soldering skills whatsoever. +rep


Thanks Killerman! Hopefully to help you out I just posted a soldering tut...
http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/forum/showthread.php?p=212410#post212410

Hope this helps you out!

[poetic_sol]

ContraptionMaker is a genius!!

This is exactly what I was looking for.. got it hooked up now with all my case fans, which brightened up like a ufo at night, this mod is a must if you have led fans in your pc n no sleep. Thanks mate :up: :D

[theshoeshineman]

Why they don't add a basic tiny switch to these things to begin with is beyond me, surely it won't add that big an amount to their per unit cost! +rep

[canoo]

Hello.

I'm looking to add switches to my LED case fans but all the pictures in this thread are gone. Does anyone know where I could find them? This seems like a good guide.

Thanks!

[SXRguyinMA]

I'd also like these pics again please!!