IPAC4 and LEDs - Question about power

[bratwurst]

I apologize for the newbie question, and I'm reading through tons of LED threads but I haven't yet come across an answer exactly for what I'm looking for.

Total number of LEDs in my build is very small.  I have two red happ translucent pushbuttons I want to light up.  They will be labeled with "25c" for inserting credits.  I also have a Lightmite TB (http://www.nicemite.com/LightmiteTB/LightmiteTB.htm) for lighting up a Happ 3" trackball in blue.

I will be wiring all buttons / joysticks to an I-PAC4 (ps2 version).

The PC I will be using is going to stay inside its case.  I am building a "Woody" kneivel klone.

So my question is - I keep seeing suggestions for power in other threads to grab power from the PC's power supply, by using a 5v or 12v connector, depending on what is needed.  I've done this before on a different build when the machine was de-cased.  But this time, I don't want to de-case the PC, and therefore do not have a clean way to access the power supply directly.

I've seen hacks like this - http://www.josepino.com/?usb_led_light - where a USB cable is spliced and the 5v is snagged from there.  I can do this I guess, and just run 3 USB cables to the PC?  Is there a better way to do this without going directly to the power supply?  The IPAC4 seems to have a way to drive 3 LEDs, but I'm lost when looking at the wiring diagram here: http://www.ultimarc.com/ipac2.html .  I just don't know how to read that and physically wire it.  Do I need to bring power from the PC somehow to the IPAC?

Sorry for the newb questions.

[EvilNuff]

Does http://www.xoxide.com/pci-power-bracket1.html meet your needs?

[bkenobi]

That's actually a really good price considering Radio Shack sells a Molex splitter for around the same price (2 way splitter vs 3 way and this includes a nice bracket too).

[bratwurst]

Does http://www.xoxide.com/pci-power-bracket1.html meet your needs?

That's pretty sweet!  I'll keep it in mind.  I did some testing at home using the IPAC4 and at first nothing worked.  Then taking a fourth look at the wiring diagram and instructions, I realized I needed to make sure that the numlock key on my keyboard was on.  Once I hit that, the LED came on.  

It's actually fairly easy to use and powered the LED on the lightmite just fine.  I'm going to try to wire all three LED's in my cab using just the IPAC4.

[bkenobi]

I was about to order 2, but then found that they charge over $6 shipping.  That's stupid!  I'll see if there's another source (dealextreme?).


EDIT:  Ok, monoprice has these for $3.22 for 1 and less if you buy more.  Their shipping to Seattle is only $2.41, so I think I'll go that route.  FYI...

[EvilNuff]

Good catch on finding that at monoprice...never even thought to look there but I buy all my pc cables from them!

[bratwurst]

I was thinking of using one of these anyway, so I will order from monoprice.  I don't know if I want to keep scroll lock and caps lock engaged, doubt it would matter but it could possibly affect something down the line?

[shateredsoul]

would this one work to power a light bulb too?and also, a noob quesiton,can someone tell me the name of computer chord I need? and which chords to use to power a 12v lightbulb? (someone said the black and yellow one)

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10421&cs_id=1042102&p_id=2373&seq=1&format=2

[EvilNuff]

There are a large number and types of light bulbs.  Your question is not sufficiently detailed to answer.  However, I would say that if you aren't sure you likely shouldn't be messing with whatever you are trying to do...

[shateredsoul]

well, that's what I'm trying to figure out.. what kind of power does it need.  It's the following item

3" Diameter Trackball with Harness, Red Translucent with 12V Lamp

another question though, what kind of chords connect to that harness he posted?

by the way, i've messed around with many things that I didn't know anything about, and learned in the process

[AndyWarne]

On the 9-pin header on the I-PAC there are outputs for the 3 keyboard LEDs.
But also on the header there are 5V pins which are permanent if you just want to light LEDs all the time.
Andy

[bratwurst]

Thanks Andy - really appreciate the response.

So I should just connect my LEDs to the 5v and the ground so they are always on?

Also, do you know when the USB Ipac4's will be in stock again?  I originally ordered a PS2, but now I need a USB as I will be using a machine without PS2 ports on the board.  I read elsewhere you did not think it was good to use the PS2 to USB adapters.

[AndyWarne]

Yes you can connect the LEDs to 5V and ground but unless they are 5 volt LEDs they will need resistors in series. The value of the resistor depends on the LED but as a general rule use 220 ohm.

All I-PACs are dual interface USB/PS2 devices. Using an adaptor is fine. What you cant do is use a converter, of the type which is designed to convert a PS/2-only device to USB.

So you can either use our cable or something like this:

[bratwurst]

Is it possible to take a ps2 cable and a USB cable and splice them?

[bratwurst]

I ended up grabbing a USB (female) to PS2 (male) and spliced it with a USB cable.  I used the USB to PS2 instead of a normal PS2 cable as I hoped that the wire colors would match up for me. Worked right away.

[Suikodan]

On the 9-pin header on the I-PAC there are outputs for the 3 keyboard LEDs.
But also on the header there are 5V pins which are permanent if you just want to light LEDs all the time.
Andy

Hi Andy,

I have a token module that I want to connect to my I-Pac2 and there are 3 wires coming out of it. They're labeled Coin, Test and 5V. I understand that the Coin would go into to the appropriate slot for it but where would the two others go? I read about header but I can't visualize what it is on the board.

I guess there's also a Ground wire for it, is it ok to connect two of them in the same slot?

[jimmy2x2x]

I didnt know the Ipac had keyboard LED support and a 5v line!

What are the pinouts for the header?

Thanks

[BobA]

From the Ultimarc site:

HEADER PLUG AND LED WIRING DIAGRAM:
The diagram below will help if you decide to make your own LED connections. The header plug pins are shown looking from the top.

[jimmy2x2x]

Thanks!

[AndyWarne]

On the 9-pin header on the I-PAC there are outputs for the 3 keyboard LEDs.
But also on the header there are 5V pins which are permanent if you just want to light LEDs all the time.
Andy

Hi Andy,

I have a token module that I want to connect to my I-Pac2 and there are 3 wires coming out of it. They're labeled Coin, Test and 5V. I understand that the Coin would go into to the appropriate slot for it but where would the two others go? I read about header but I can't visualize what it is on the board.

I guess there's also a Ground wire for it, is it ok to connect two of them in the same slot?

If you still need help with this its probbaly best to drop me an email.

Andy

[Suikodan]

From the Ultimarc site:

HEADER PLUG AND LED WIRING DIAGRAM:
The diagram below will help if you decide to make your own LED connections. The header plug pins are shown looking from the top.

My problem is that I'm not litterate at all with electronic diagrams. I'd like to know what do the cable looks like, its plug and where it goes into the iPac board, if possible.