Installing LED's

[Quiksilver]

hey, i have a Dell Dimension 8400 and i would like to place 2 or more blue LED's underneath the flip pannel at the front. i've already started a few small mods on it like paint and a glass window, but i dont know how to go about installing LED's. like how do i use power from the power supply?

thanx alot

andy

[dusty550]

To use the power from the PSU youll need:
Leds
Resistors
Soldering Iron (and skills)
Im not sure how to do it but the best place to find the diagrams would probablly be google.

[AMD]

You need to draw power off of the 5v rail.

The power supply connectors used for drives have four pins - +12v, GND 12v rail, +5v, and GND 5v rail. Very carefully, use a meter (while the system is running) to find out which pair is on the 5v rail. The two blacks are obviously ground.

Once you have identified the correct wires, connect a simple extension/y splitter or something else along those lines. (So that you can make the connections without permanently soldering anything into the power supply)

Pick up a couple of standard LEDs (check the voltage) and solder them to the correct wires of the splitter/extension (in parallel). (Strip wires first, insulate after /w electrical tape or heat shrink) Usually 220ohm resistors are necessary - it depends on the LED. (verify at the store)

[Just Doug]

Without a resistor to limit current, won't the LED blow or have they gotten better?

[AMD]

In the long run, yes. Resistors will be required.

[x86/Z80asm]

Yup you will need current limiting resistors for sure. Do not even think about skipping on them when using the +5V rail.