This is probably really obvious....

[dubleon]

Hi!

Sorry if this is super obvious, I have an IPAC2 that plugs via USB into a mini PC. The PC was not built, it is pretty small and is in some weird case:

https://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/06/25/review_desktop_pc_acer_aspire_revo/

I just bought two Ultimarc UltraLux light up buttons, used for my +1 credit buttons. I am fine with hooking up the buttons, but where do I get the power for the illumination from?

Here is a pic:

https://imgur.com/a/cSQYVw3

Usually the buttons come with a wiring harness I think, that goes into those motherboard fan slots, but I didn't get anything.

Thanks!

[JDFan]

5 Volt High Intensity LED lamps

IF just wanting them lit when the machine is on and only using a couple of them  - THey need a 5V power source so you could use any USB output off the system or the 5V and ground wire off of any molex connector ( ie. HDD connector from the Powersupply etc.)

WIth that system it is probably easiest to just use one of the USB ports and wire the buttons into the 5V and ground wire on a usb cable that you plug into an empty USB port from the system. ( Don't see any info on the amperage each led uses on their site but 2 buttons should not use more amperage than the USB cable can supply so should work fine. )

[PL1]

I just bought two Ultimarc UltraLux light up buttons, used for my +1 credit buttons. I am fine with hooking up the buttons, but where do I get the power for the illumination from?

There are two types of UltraLux button LEDs:

1. Single color LED with two 1/4" male QD "stirrups" on the LED holder -- one for 5v, the other for ground.

The LED should draw about 20mA * 2 buttons = 40mA.



2. RGB LED with 0.1" 4-pin wiring harness -- 5v, red-channel ground,  green-channel ground, and blue-channel ground.

The three LEDs (red, green, and blue) should draw about 20mA each ==> 60mA per button * 2 buttons = 120mA.



As JDFan pointed out, you can hack a USB cable to power the LEDs.



Pin 1           VBUS (+5 V)
Pin 2           Data−
Pin 3           Data+
Pin 4           Ground

Motherboard USB and powered USB hub ports are rated for at least 500mA.

If you're using a non-powered USB hub port, the USB spec is supposed to only be 100mA per port, but most manufacturers exceed that so you should still be fine.


Scott

[keilmillerjr]

https://www.adafruit.com/product/3629?gclid=CjwKCAiAodTfBRBEEiwAa1hautE8H9HwNce0rUiWfGsVi-084mMDHj8UF0bbSmykZhwv1pYjuC6luxoCNVAQAvD_BwE

Or buy a molex 4-pin connector and jump off the psu.

[Mr. Peabody]

Why not use the 5v (there are at least two) off the IPAC?

[PL1]

Or buy a molex 4-pin connector and jump off the psu.

Usually a good choice, but it probably won't work with OP's small-form computer.

Why not use the 5v (there are at least two) off the IPAC?

The I-Pac trackball/spinner pins would also be a good choice.   (two LEDs per 5v/ground pin pair)   

- One 5v/ground pair for two single-color LEDs (an optical circuit also uses two LEDs per axis ==> 40 mA)

- Three 5v/ground pairs for the six LEDs in two RGB LEDs (power from both trackball axes + spinner ==> 120mA)
-- Wire the three 5v pins in parallel to distribute the load evenly to the two RGB LEDs.
-- Wire two LED ground channels per pin.

IPac spinner pin labels:
- Brn = 5v
- Wht = ground


Scott

[dubleon]

Thank you so much for your reply to my thread, I just noticed I got all of these great replies! I am still super new an a little confused.

Here is what I have now:

https://www.ultimarc.com/images/wiring.jpg

On my Ipac 2 there are two connectors called GND. One of these is being used for all my buttons in a daisy chain configuration. I figure I can use the other GND for the 2 new LED buttons. So, now I need to find the positive side of things for these 2 LEDs. You said that I should power two LEDs using one 5v + connection, so I only need one connection to power them both. It seems I can use the spinner/trackball connection for this, is that the pins in the middle which a connector goes on?

Thanks!

[PL1]

You said that I should power two LEDs using one 5v + connection, so I only need one connection to power them both.

That depends on what kind of LEDs you have.   

- Yes if you have two single-color LEDs like this with "stirrup" tabs that straddle the microswitch. (40 mA from one 5v pin is OK)


- No if you have two RGB Leds like this with a 4-pin header.
   -- 3x the number of LEDs (red LED, green LED, and blue LED) = 3x the current draw.
   -- 120mA from one 5v pin might be too much for the I-Pac -- use three 5v pins wired in parallel.

It seems I can use the spinner/trackball connection for this, is that the pins in the middle which a connector goes on?

Yes, the newer (2015 - present) I-Pac has a 2x9 Dupont pin header.


You can get 5v from the two leftmost trackball pins labeled "5v" and/or the spinner pin labeled "BRN".



Scott

[dubleon]

Ah thank you! Sorry I wasn't that helpful. I have two of the LED buttons in the pic below, the "stirrup" tab type that straddle the microswitch:



I also have what I think is an older ipac2:



This does not seem to have that parallel 2x9 Dupont pin header in this pic:



I seems to have a smaller one that is at a right angle:



I am trying to find a diagram showing what is what on my one as it doesn't seem to be printed.

Apologies again, I should have been clearer, I really appreciate the help.

[PL1]

I seems to have a smaller one that is at a right angle:



I am trying to find a diagram showing what is what on my one as it doesn't seem to be printed.

Here's the pinout for your pre-2015 IPac from this archive.org copy of the Ultimarc website.

The header plug pins are shown looking from the top.

LEDs always-on: (easy way, not shown in diagram)
Wire both of your LEDs in parallel to the 5v pin and GND pin.

            __ LED ___
5v ___|__ LED ___|___ GND

Animated (blinking) LEDs: (hard way, shown in diagram)
- "SCRL LOCK", "NUM LOCK", and "CAPS LOCK" pins can make the LEDs blink like Atari volcano LED buttons.
-- This thread looks like it has the necessary info.   
- No need for the current-limiting resistors shown in the diagram since your LEDs already have them built into the LED holder.


Scott

[dubleon]

Thanks so much, it worked!!! You are awesome

I seems to have a smaller one that is at a right angle:



I am trying to find a diagram showing what is what on my one as it doesn't seem to be printed.

Here's the pinout for your pre-2015 IPac from this archive.org copy of the Ultimarc website.

The header plug pins are shown looking from the top.

LEDs always-on: (easy way, not shown in diagram)
Wire both of your LEDs in parallel to the 5v pin and GND pin.

            __ LED ___
5v ___|__ LED ___|___ GND

Animated (blinking) LEDs: (hard way, shown in diagram)
- "SCRL LOCK", "NUM LOCK", and "CAPS LOCK" pins can make the LEDs blink like Atari volcano LED buttons.
-- This thread looks like it has the necessary info.   
- No need for the current-limiting resistors shown in the diagram since your LEDs already have them built into the LED holder.


Scott