MultiColor Leds - Flashing Leds

[Eclecticos]

I was just about to buy some more LEDs when I noticed these HERE (http://cgi.ebay.com/50-PC-5mm-8Kmcd-Manual-Control-MultiColor-RGB-LED-F-R_W0QQitemZ320119255268QQihZ011QQcategoryZ26207QQr dZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

First i found some that flash different colors, then I thought about how annoying
that would be sitting next to it. "I keep seeing something out of the corner of my eye" :)

Then I found these 3 colored LEDs and wondered if I could hook them up to switches where I could alternate colors manually, or with a control knob.

I'm still not satisfied with the LEDs I have going at the moment, but I spent so much time wiring the 10 up and sorting out 100 LED's into there colors . .I'd cry if I took them out lol. . Good practice though.

Anyway. I wanted to add that I don't not want some fancy 50 light strip I want to solder them all one by one.

[slytherock]

Better have a good PSU (or a second one) That's the reason why I slowed down on lights, it took all the power of the PSU...

[rendermandan]

Better have a good PSU (or a second one) That's the reason why I slowed down on lights, it took all the power of the PSU...

can you elaborate on that a bit?

[Drum Thumper]

can you elaborate on that a bit?

Underpowered PSU + Lights = BSOD.

I've got a 400 watt PSU in Blue. Two CCFLs. 1 LazerLED. I turn everything on and try to do any computing at all, and Blue with BSOD on me. Bear in mind, it started doing this @ stock speeds. I'd hate to see how fast I'd be getting the BSOD @ 120% OC.

[slytherock]

Take a look at one of my old rig

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v68/slytherock/total000a.jpghttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v68/slytherock/frontlook0001.jpg

it had 3 round CCFL on top, 2 12inches CCFL inside, 2 4inches in front, and about 50 blue leds.

When I lighted up the lights, I could here the fans slowing down. And OC wasn't very stable.

Much light = much power

[Eclecticos]

Whoa. That thing looks Preddy Kewl.

I'm not overly concerned about how much power it uses.
I just wondered If you could get all three colors out of These (http://cgi.ebay.com/50-PC-5mm-8Kmcd-Manual-Control-MultiColor-RGB-LED-F-R_W0QQitemZ320119255268QQihZ011QQcategoryZ26207QQr dZ1QQcmdZViewItem) Leds.
. . and change colors with switches or knobs.

[Redundant]

I just wondered If you could get all three colors out of These (http://cgi.ebay.com/50-PC-5mm-8Kmcd-Manual-Control-MultiColor-RGB-LED-F-R_W0QQitemZ320119255268QQihZ011QQcategoryZ26207QQr dZ1QQcmdZViewItem) Leds.
. . and change colors with switches or knobs.
I searched for instructions for controlling RGB (red/green/blue) leds but it only came up with ways to program PIC chips and such.

There is an easier way to do this: find 3 potentiometers (aka POTs) and wire it to each line for the LEDs. You should be able to control multiple LEDs if you wire them in parallel. This site (http://ledmuseum.home.att.net/ledrgb.htm) _might_ be useful to read. (It's been around for a long time)

[Eclecticos]

Thanks thats exactly what I needed to know.
You can Light up all three colors separatly with the same LED. +Rep

http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/3097/chirgb1rl3.jpg

The one on the bottom is RGB.
I know what you mean about the pots.

[Eclecticos]

Look what I found. GroovyGameGear.Com (http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/)

LED-WIZ 32 Port USB Lighting and Output Controller.

http://img372.imageshack.us/img372/3223/ledwizlrgni4.jpg

Features:
USB port communication and power.
Up to 16 LED-Wiz boards per system.

32 uniquely controllable outputs and up to about 500 Hi-Output LEDs per board (15+ per output, external power source required for this type of operation)
48 levels of PWM intensity. Using RGB LEDs (common anode), theoretically 110,592 colors are possible.
Each individual output can be set to one of the following hardware modes. These modes are set by the computer, and after that the hardware handles them by itself.
Intensity
Sawtooth (gradual up and gradual down)
SquareWave (blink)
SawDown (full on, gradual down)
SawUp (gradual up, full on)
Hardware pulse rates are controlled by a 7-level global speed setting.

Includes mounting hardware, printed instruction sheet and 6' USB cable.

All types of lighting modes and everything.

[jdbnsn]

Cool toy and nice find. Is that website on our supplier list?

[Eclecticos]

One step ahead of ya on this one. :)
Thats what I usually do . .Just add to the lists Ive already made.

They have all kinds of replacement parts for Arcade games.
Really Kewl Stuff!

Check out the NovaGem (http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=73&products_id=281) Buttons

[crazybillybob]

elec,

From what I could find on the ebay auction it looks like there is 1 - ground an three + positives. So depending on which lead gets the +3V you get thst color out. So you tie +3v to 3 switches (each goes to a different lead), then the last lead goes to the resistor (included) to ground -.

Now with a pic (or the lighting controller listed earlier) you could do some cool transitions and flashy effects with the LED.


CrazyBillyBob

[Eclecticos]

Thats the best answer I've got so far. I appreciate the research. +Rep
I'm going to have to order some and do a little experiment and see if i can do just that.

[calumc]

or if you only wanted 1 colour at a time you could just wire them to a 3-way switch (i'm only really saying that because i have no clue about PICs)

[crazybillybob]

Here's an easy article on how to control LEDs with the Parallel port (no extra controller needed) With the multi color LEDs you could only do 2 LEDs as each one need 3 inputs and a ground.... But it would allow you to make a neat little display, for cheap. I/O ports Uncensored-1-Controlling LEDs With Parallel Port (http://www.codeproject.com/csharp/csppleds.asp)

If you need it I can help you with a wire diagram for your multi color LEDs and this control method.


CrazyBillyBob

[Eclecticos]

One Helluva. .Find there! Much Appreciated! +Rep
I imagine I'll get it Sorted and Figured.

Wouldn't want you to go through all the trouble if your not planning on using this method yourself.

[crazybillybob]

The diagram wouldn't be much trouble. But as it sits I'm not planing on using this method (but new mods come round all the time :) )
and the Input32.dll that is noted is very useful for anyone trying to use the I/o ports in windows Nt, 2K,& XP....


CrazyBillyBob


I've been away from the boards for a bit... It's way easier to get +rep now...:)

[Bucko]

That's a cool idea with the I/O port. Maybe I'll get keen and try it.