Would this work? Lighting buttons (SOLVED delete if you wish)

[Chris John Hunter]

Hi.

Whats the simplest way to light a handful (Start , On/Off , Credit 1 / Credit 2 / one more) buttons.

I don't want to get a Ultrapac board for lights because its a bit of overkill for what I want. I have held off the Led buttons for now cos I didn't think I would need them but a little light might be nice.

Can I simply get a handful of http://www.amazon.co.uk/Power-Splitter-Cable-Molex-Lead/dp/B000ITL4KI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1372755315&sr=8-1&keywords=fan+power+cable+molex


and plug them into each other, remove the plastic things and rig up the yellow and black to each button?


Is that right or wrong? All I am looking for is for constant light for 5 buttons on turning on. 

Cheers

[PL1]

Get one of those splitter cables and 2 daisy chains with 0.25" (6mm) QDs.

Follow the detailed directions here, you know, the last forum post that went up 28 minutes before you posted.     


Scott

[Chris John Hunter]

Am I meant to run a daisy chain of reds into one of the sides
and all the blacks into the other side of the Terminal Block the way I do with my buttons and joysticks into my Xin-Mo ?

I am not being funny but I don't get it.

 Can you explain it in idiot terms please. Because I don't know how the power from the fan ends up in the lights. Where do the Red and Black come from? Am I buying them or am I taking them from a power cable

[PL1]

OK.  Will post a pic in a few minutes.

*starts digging in parts bin.


Scott

[Chris John Hunter]

Thanks Scott. I appreciate it. I am not being funny I just think some of the fellas that know sort of skip bits the new-ish people could learn from.

I am by no means very good with wiring which is why I have avoided doing the lighting for so long 

[PL1]

Thought you already had the basics of wiring.

Would be nice if Nep had been able to update the wiring page on the wiki -- BTW Saint, it's July.    How's the wiki reload going?     jk

This is for single color LED buttons like these.



The LEDs plug into the socket (right black piece below) which has two .25" QD terminals that straddle the microswitch.



The power comes from the molex connector red (5v) or yellow (12v) wire.

The power is daisy chained to the right side of all of the LED button sockets.

Ground is daisy chained to the left side of all of the LED button sockets and returns to the black wire on the molex.

One way to understand wiring is to compare it to plumbing.

The daisy chain ground is like a drain for the water from the sinks and showers.

The power daisy chain is like the water supply to your house and the LED sockets are like open faucets in the sinks, shower, etc.

You can have water flowing from multiple faucets at the same time. (a parallel circuit)

The water only flows when there is a path for it to follow -- if all the faucets are closed, water can't flow.

The attached photo shows pretty much everything you will need to light your LEDs.

The molex splitter (lower right) red wire (5v) is connected via the alligator clamp wire to the red daisy chain.

The red daisy chain connects to the positive side of all the LED sockets.

The black daisy chain connects to the negative side of all the LED sockets.

The black alligator clamp connects the black daisy chain to the black wire on the molex. (there are two black wires, either one will work)

Substitute butt splice connections for the alligator clamp connections and this is exactly what you need.

That completes the lighting circuit.   

If one of the LEDs doesn't light when power is applied, unplug it from the socket and turn it 180 degrees -- they are often installed the wrong way -- it won't hurt them.

You can either buy pre-made daisy chains from Paradise Arcade here and here or you can make your own using wire and .25" QDs.


Scott

[Chris John Hunter]

That is fantastic thanks a lot Scott. Don't think id have ever worked that out.

Once i've done it will become second nature I am sure. But I am hamfisted because my hands are like shovels and I am six foot six and 280 so ...

But thank you. That was very clear.

I've got my buttons / joys wired up I've done that a few times. I was just unsure with the power supply because I have to admit shitting myself at the prospect of electricuting myself. I had to stand away from the cab when I finished putting the computer together without the case. It wouldn't fit otherwise and bingo. Worked first time.

Cheers mate