LED Help

[SgtM]

Hey guys. I just tore my mouse apart to paint it. Anyway, I wanted to replace the red LED with a blue one. So, I ripped a blue 3mm LED out of another system, and touched it to the leads on the red LED of the mouse. Nothing happened. No light and then out, just nothing at all. Here's a picture. I also made sure the anode and cathode are facing the same direction. Any ideas? BTW, the blue LED looks white in the picture because of the way the flash caught it. Thanks in advance!

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f186/sgtm_usmc/USMC%20case/blueLED2.jpg

[Redundant]

Did you check the voltage/amprage the current led is getting? Also, having both leds on at the same time may draw too much power from the mouse causing it to turn off.

-R

[SgtM]

****.. I'm the dee dee dee for that.. I'll have to check it in a bit.

[Redundant]

I dont want to sound stupid but, what is "dee dee dee" from? I know what it means in general but is it from a movie or something???

-R

[tybrenis]

I dont want to sound stupid but, what is "dee dee dee" from? I know what it means in general but is it from a movie or something???

-R

...Carlos Mencia.

Whom, btw, got his ass kicked by a bunch of kids.

[SgtM]

Ok.. So I can't find my multimeter. I have no idea what the voltage/amps is on the mouse LED's. I got a new blue LED yesterday. 3.7 volts, 2600mcd. I can get it to run off of 2 AA batteries, but it doesn't do anything if I touch the leads together on the mouse. I guess it's not that big of a deal if I can't get it working in the mouse. I can always use it in the front panel of the case. BUT I think it would look cool if the base of the mouse was glowing blue. Any suggestions?

[dgrmkrp]

did it, so i know.. the led needs a bigger voltage to work, so you have to get blue leds that work at ~2v.. or lower.. the brite ones won't work unless you take the 5V straight from the usb line and use a resistor to lower the voltage to what u need.. i used a blue led and i lost tracking precision and ability on some surfaces, but not with both my mice.. so, you may be lucky.. and, yes, they do look cooler and people do stare :D good luck :)

[SgtM]

did it, so i know.. the led needs a bigger voltage to work, so you have to get blue leds that work at ~2v.. or lower.. the brite ones won't work unless you take the 5V straight from the usb line and use a resistor to lower the voltage to what u need.. i used a blue led and i lost tracking precision and ability on some surfaces, but not with both my mice.. so, you may be lucky.. and, yes, they do look cooler and people do stare :D good luck :)

You, sir, are THE MAN!!! It worked flawlessly. I have to get a small resistor though. I have a 1/4 watt resistor, but I have no tracking whatsoever with that on. Testing is key! The LED's in place must lite up with lower milliamps. +rep!

[xmastree]

Seen mine?
http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2684

[SgtM]

Fine.. I did find a beefier resistor though. Cut the brightness down a little. The LED started getting a little warm with the small resistor on it. Now I just have to solder it in place.

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f186/sgtm_usmc/USMC%20case/DSCF1837.jpg

[dgrmkrp]

looks nice... wondering what you gonna do next :)

..errm.. when you say a beefier resistor, you mean with a bigger resistance, right? :) in case of leds and whatever you may be powering, except fans or cup warmers/chillers, a 1/4w (with a specific resistance) rated resistance is enough and shouldn't heat up.. the resistance is actually there to limit the current passing thru the led.. but as current and voltage are very much linked in a diode.. especially a led... problem solved.. if u do mount the led you want on the 5v line and use the holes in which the normal led was placed (sensor), u must, i repeat must, cut the lines that were there and avoid contacting the usb 5v line with the mouse power given to the led.. ill effects may come out of this, but are not guaranteed ;) if u wanna know what type of led/color you can use with your mouse, google the markings on the optical sensor.. depending on this, you may be lucky to get weird modding possibilities.. even purple or infrared leds can be used with some sensors.. blue is a bit of a stretch though.. i was 50% lucky..

.. cvasi-offtopic, if i get a nice grade at today's exam :bunny:, there is gonna be a third mouse mod in my thread :D a nice x-750 from a4.. with several improvements.. i'm planning on making this a 5v fan, heater and light emitting mouse :D more leather and more holes for ventilation :) and more red :)

[SgtM]

I used a 1/4 watt. It was too dim. Then, I was throwing out an old stereo and found an 1/8 watt. Perfection! Tested the mouse for tracking, and it's right on target. No hesitation or anything.

[dgrmkrp]

I used a 1/4 watt. It was too dim. Then, I was throwing out an old stereo and found an 1/8 watt. Perfection! Tested the mouse for tracking, and it's right on target. No hesitation or anything.

happy accident :) just in case.. what i was trying to point out is the following: resistances are measured in ohms (u probably know that).. a second rating they get is the wattage, based on the amount of power they can dissipate before turning black :) so, you actually found a more suitable ohm value than watts value :) just wanted to clear things for those who read this and might think that watts are important here.. they aren't.. they are important in case u would try to heat the mouse..

if you have a multimeter (cheapo), u can measure the ohms of the resistance and have a future reference in case u wanna buy one and mod another led like that on a 5v line :)

i'm getting sleepy (20+ awake now.. exam in oooh, 3 hours..), so i'll get some shut eye.. good luck..

[SgtM]

happy accident :) if you have a multimeter

That was the problem. I can't find it right now. Still looking.....

[SgtM]

sarge, I'm gonna send you a mouse too. I want a GREEN GLOW. can you make it happen?

-Jeremy

Yeah dude. I can replace the LED's for you. I'll have to see if I can scrounge up some green ones.