Had a brainstorm...

[vader]

and I use that word lightly......can I just tap into the power on the interface board on the USB Happs trackball to power the led light for the translucent ball....if I remember correctly, usb supplys 5 volts so this should work......I think

Tim

[paigeoliver]

Tap into your power supply instead, as the USB bus has a limited amount of 5volt power.

[RayB]

a 13v  light, tapped into your PS's 12volt line will probably be brighter than a 5v light.......

(but I'm no expert so I shouldn't be adding my 2 cents here.   )

[Bgnome]

its doable, but you have to worry about whether or not you will be using other usb devices.  if you hook it into a powered usb hub, you wont have to worry as much..

[DaveMMR]

It's probably better to put the power supply at risk of shorting than the USB ports and the motherboard (as is my understanding).  

(I'm no expert either, just reciting what I learned from others).

[fredster]

Is that so you wouldn't have to run a wire except for the USB from the trackball to the PC?

[vader]

Exactly....that is what I wanted to accomplish.....but if it will cause problems,  I can do it the way others are suggesting.......I definitely go with a high wattage bulb if I have to run the power wire....

thanks all

Tim

[chrisindfw]

I was wondering the same thing to power my 5v lcd panel...

There are two pins on the IPAC that supply power and a ground...

If you are using an IPAC, try getting power from there.