• Modding with Dell's led lights
    12 replies, posted
Hey guys! I've got an old Dell XPS 710 in my room that I can't use right now because I already have a good case working like charm and basically, I don't need any new pc right now. Anyway, those Dell case got awesome led lights that I would like to install into my actual case (a Cooler Master Storm Trooper). I found on this forum a very complete doc about those led's cables. Here's the link: [url]http://facepunch.com/showthread.php?t=1162055&p=36540329&viewfull=1#post36540329[/url] What I keep in that list are (710 are quite the same as 720): [QUOTE]XPS 720 rear LED 1 bridge to pin 6 (bscly not used) 2 power 3 red GND 4 green GND 5 blue GND 6 bridge to pin 1 (bscly not used) XPS 720 front LEDs (upper and lower) 1 power 2 red GND 3 green GND 4 blue GND 5 -no idea- [/QUOTE] The only thing I miss in this list is the voltage (3V, 5V, or anything else?). Now, I -of course- don't have a Dell motherboard with those special pin connectors; I have a Gigabyte P55A-UD3R. Where I need your help is how can I easily connect those lights to my motherboard and use them (change color, on/off etc). I do except that I'd need to install an external chip (or something) in my case in order to do the job, but what chip and how do I power supply this all bunch? Thanks for the help :wink:
Okay I did some searchs and I think some switchs with a Molex cable should do the trick. But I'd like your thoughts on it. Here's my plan: [IMG]http://puu.sh/3yKYv.png[/IMG] Any thoughts? :smile:
[QUOTE=Raz2Mak;41378674]Okay I did some searchs and I think some switchs with a Molex cable should do the trick. But I'd like your thoughts on it. Here's my plan: [IMG]http://puu.sh/3yKYv.png[/IMG] Any thoughts? :smile:[/QUOTE] Hey it's pinball0705 from on YouTube... That looks the same as I did it. I had 4 switches..the 3 you have pictured and 1 to cut power so I could leave it on the color I want. If you flip two switches (say red and blue...you get purple) you can even flip all 3 and get white. It's pretty neat. I never hooked up the power button thought but I know how if you need that. [editline]9th July 2013[/editline] [QUOTE=Raz2Mak;41378674]Okay I did some searchs and I think some switchs with a Molex cable should do the trick. But I'd like your thoughts on it. Here's my plan: [IMG]http://puu.sh/3yKYv.png[/IMG] Any thoughts? :smile:[/QUOTE] Btw...never ever put 12 volts to it. I see you have it right on the 5 volt cord..but don't try 12...it smokes. Alot. Haha. Just thought I'd tell you in case you thought it wasn't bright enough.
[QUOTE=Cdxhizors;41381630]Hey it's pinball0705 from on YouTube... That looks the same as I did it. I had 4 switches..the 3 you have pictured and 1 to cut power so I could leave it on the color I want. If you flip two switches (say red and blue...you get purple) you can even flip all 3 and get white. It's pretty neat. I never hooked up the power button thought but I know how if you need that. [editline]9th July 2013[/editline] Btw...never ever put 12 volts to it. I see you have it right on the 5 volt cord..but don't try 12...it smokes. Alot. Haha. Just thought I'd tell you in case you thought it wasn't bright enough.[/QUOTE] First of all, thanks a bunch for the fast response. I really appreciate. So the exact voltage is +5V for those leds? And do you have any advice for the switchs choice?
[QUOTE=Raz2Mak;41382878]First of all, thanks a bunch for the fast response. I really appreciate. So the exact voltage is +5V for those leds? And do you have any advice for the switchs choice?[/QUOTE] Of course haha I'm glad I can help. Yes 5 volts is the right amount. Switches.. Idk. I just ordered cheap ones off amazon for like 75 cents apiece haha. Nothing too fancy. And I installed them in the blank floppy drive covers. These are the exact ones I bought.. Looks like the toggle switch market has gone up in the past few years lol [url]http://www.amazon.com/SPST-Light-duty-Toggle-Switch/dp/B001TJ0ZAG/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1373412752&sr=8-11&keywords=toggle+switch[/url] Lemme know how it goes and if you have any more questions.
Thanks a lot! Gotta get started now. I'll post the result in a few days. :wink:
[QUOTE=Raz2Mak;41394425]Thanks a lot! Gotta get started now. I'll post the result in a few days. :wink:[/QUOTE] Sounds good! Can't wait to see how it turns out.
[QUOTE=Cdxhizors;41400695]Sounds good! Can't wait to see how it turns out.[/QUOTE] Okay here's what I got so far (picture too big to be on the post, sorry): [url]http://puu.sh/3BW4i.jpg[/url] I got stuck when I wanted to connect the main power and gnd to a molex of my pc. I can't figure out how to connect it properly. Did you use something to connect both cable?
[QUOTE=Raz2Mak;41441269]Okay here's what I got so far (picture too big to be on the post, sorry): [url]http://puu.sh/3BW4i.jpg[/url] I got stuck when I wanted to connect the main power and gnd to a molex of my pc. I can't figure out how to connect it properly. Did you use something to connect both cable?[/QUOTE] I just took a female end off if a old power supply ..you can order one from amazon for a few cents. Looks nice how you got it!
[QUOTE=Cdxhizors;41446875]I just took a female end off if a old power supply ..you can order one from amazon for a few cents. Looks nice how you got it![/QUOTE] Thanks! Okay I need to find a female end then... Since it's old I guess you didn't care about using a soldering iron on it... But don't the applied solder needs to be perfectly clean since I'm directly connected to a power supply?
[QUOTE=Raz2Mak;41457090]Thanks! Okay I need to find a female end then... Since it's old I guess you didn't care about using a soldering iron on it... But don't the applied solder needs to be perfectly clean since I'm directly connected to a power supply?[/QUOTE] I actually didn't use solder on any of it.. (Some may say its bad) but honestly the worse that happens is the power supply will short out a relay inside which will prevent damage and it will turn on again once the short is fixed in whatever wire. I used wire nuts but the solder should be decent enough to make good contact and that it won't fall apart. Give it a slight tug and see if it separates.
[QUOTE=Cdxhizors;41462734]I actually didn't use solder on any of it.. (Some may say its bad) but honestly the worse that happens is the power supply will short out a relay inside which will prevent damage and it will turn on again once the short is fixed in whatever wire. I used wire nuts but the solder should be decent enough to make good contact and that it won't fall apart. Give it a slight tug and see if it separates.[/QUOTE] Okay. I'm gonna finish the work this week-end, I need a Molex end for the moment. :v: EDIT: Got to go on vacation for a few weeks. Sorry I'm a bit late on my project. ^^ Anyway thanks for the current help and I'll get you update around august! ;)
[QUOTE=Raz2Mak;41490780]Okay. I'm gonna finish the work this week-end, I need a Molex end for the moment. :v: EDIT: Got to go on vacation for a few weeks. Sorry I'm a bit late on my project. ^^ Anyway thanks for the current help and I'll get you update around august! ;)[/QUOTE] Alright, have fun on vacation! lol
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