Cathode or LED Strips?

Rowan88

Rowan88

Rowan88

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Glasgow
Hi,

I have a Thermaltake A31 case which is black/light blue, as are most of my components in and around the PC.

I am looking to light the inside a bit better so I can see the components more but I am not sure which is better to use, cathode or led strips.

Can someone shed some light (no pun intended ;) ) on which I should go for.

Thanks

:)
 
Watched a few videos on the LED 50/50 and I like the idea of the RGB colour changing ones just as a last resort if I ever change my mind on colour scheme lol.

I looked around ebay and seen most of them now using an external power supply, is this a better idea that wiring it up to the PC PSU? Also if you cut the leds to where you want, with the spare reel how do you use them again? Do you need to buy an extra component/wiring?
 
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Thanks, I have searched around and this seems to be the main power box you get with the kits:

3_zps5ee85ad7.jpg


Can anyone tell me if I want to connect this to a molex so they are powered with my PC PSU rather than external mains how I would go about it. Can the white casing be taken off to reveal a 12v and ground port for the molex wires to be soldered into?
 
LED vs Cold cathode i think depends on what look your going for. Never have heard of them 'burning out', i have some which work the same as the day i got them 7 years ago.

Check out EL wire and EL panels if your looking to go a bit adventurous with case mod lighting!
 
Thanks,

I am toying with the idea of installing some LED strips in my PC desktop and also putting some on the back of my monitor, but having them powered through the PC PSU so when I power my PC the LED's for both come on at the same time.

I have an idea how it should work out but its making sure I buy the right equipment and seeing if there is any pre-made tools that means I can connect it all together safely.
 
Ok I think I have it all understood now so just before I go ahead and buy the equipment needed can someone please confirm if this will work or if you have any opinions on easier methods:



1) Cut a molex extension cable so that it only has the molex going into my PC PSU and a 12V + Ground wire on the other end.

2) Cut the power end off of the 5050 RGB LED Kit to reveal the 12V + Ground wire and either solder them together with the molex extension or buy any sort of joining tool so they are linked.

3) Connect the first LED strip on the box and then connect any additional strips by means of solder wires or angled connectors.

4) Once the PC case is complete solder some RGB cable from the last one to the outside of my case and behind my monitor. I will braid this cable also so it looks like one black wire running out of my PC case.

5) Now connect another few strips of LED wire behind the monitor.


2ilhugi.jpg



Excuse the poor attempt on paint but I thought this would help understand my idea.


Will this work? Is the power values fine etc?

This is some of the equipment I bought:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5050-5M-R..._Lights_Fairy_Lights&var=&hash=item51b30ad0e6
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LED-Strip...ome_Garden_Lighting_Parts&hash=item2a33751034


Thanks

:)
 
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Rowan88 said:
Ok I think I have it all understood now so just before I go ahead and buy the equipment needed can someone please confirm if this will work or if you have any opinions on easier methods:



1) Cut a molex extension cable so that it only has the molex going into my PC PSU and a 12V + Ground wire on the other end.

2) Cut the power end off of the 5050 RGB LED Kit to reveal the 12V + Ground wire and either solder them together with the molex extension or buy any sort of joining tool so they are linked.

3) Connect the first LED strip on the box and then connect any additional strips by means of solder wires or angled connectors.

4) Once the PC case is complete solder some RGB cable from the last one to the outside of my case and behind my monitor. I will braid this cable also so it looks like one black wire running out of my PC case.

5) Now connect another few strips of LED wire behind the monitor.


IMG


Excuse the poor attempt on paint but I thought this would help understand my idea.


Will this work? Is the power values fine etc?

This is some of the equipment I bought:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5050-5M-R..._Lights_Fairy_Lights&var=&hash=item51b30ad0e6
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LED-Strip...ome_Garden_Lighting_Parts&hash=item2a33751034


Thanks

:)
Click to expand...

Did you get this working?
 
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