Leds from Molex question

[SodaPopinksi]

I was thinking on wiring up coin door leds using this method http://joelsgadgets.com/CoindoorPage2.HTML with modified fan wires coming from a molex connector. I was wondering though, about how many of the four led 12v superbrights would be considered too many coming from one molex connector? The power supply is from a dell 4550 running only one hard drive, dvd drive and a radeon 9700tx gpu, I think the psu is rated at 250w.

Another thing I was wondering, was if I used this method, is there a switch I could use and mount under the cp for instance, that turns the daisy chain of leds on and off so they're not on when I power on during the day? Thanks (I am not very electrically inclined, but workin on it, hehe)

[original_maxlamer]

I just bought superbright leds (8,000mcd) for a current project and they are rated 20mA at 2V (one led).
Thats 40mW per led, so 500 leds is going to be 200W. I dont think your going to have any problems with the psu.

Note: The setup on the linked page, he uses led clusters that are designed to replace 12 lights NOT single leds.  You can use single leds however the circuit is different (sorry cbf explaining the differences)

[SodaPopinksi]

Excellent thanks, the ones I was looking at were the 4 cluster 12volt leds , now I see they are rated at 37ma... so like 10 or so should be just fine.

Now Im just wondering if there is a radio shack switch that I could place between then leds and the pc to turn them on/off? I'm thinking yes but not sure which one would be best with my limited knowledge of things electrical hehe, also I was reading that having a switch on a molex connector coming from the PC shouldn't be turned on or off while the PC is on, if thats the case, thats no problem for what I'm trying to accomplish.

[shardian]

I just bought superbright leds (8,000mcd) for a current project and they are rated 20mA at 2V (one led).
Thats 40mW per led, so 500 leds is going to be 200W. I dont think your going to have any problems with the psu.

Note: The setup on the linked page, he uses led clusters that are designed to replace 12 lights NOT single leds.  You can use single leds however the circuit is different (sorry cbf explaining the differences)

You gained a 0 somewhere. It is only 20 watts.

[releasedtruth]

You know, I've had poor luck with older pcs as far as leds go. On my current pc I couldn't run a stack of leds well at all, 250w power supply. I took my free 400w supply with no computer attached and it works perfectly. Just very dim and not all the leds lit up on the other. Hope it works better for you.

GT

[rdowdy95]

Hey guys that website you gave is nice.  Hey I was wondering.  Would you use some small female quick disconnects to wire the wires to the bulbs.

Also I have the Happ over/under mini coin door.  Can I use the bulb sockets from that coin door to put the super brright LEDs in?

[DrumAnBass]

Good source for pre-wired molex LEDs: http://svc.com/ledlicl13or4.html

[SodaPopinksi]

Also I have the Happ over/under mini coin door.  Can I use the bulb sockets from that coin door to put the super brright LEDs in?

Yes it should be the same lamp holder #42=0351-00 http://www.happcontrols.com/coindoors/40051400_exploded.htm

I don't know about quick disconnects working with them, I am not electrically inclined, I was set to solder them hehe. And I'll try a string of leds out on my Dell's power supply, although I won't be creating this string for about another week or so, then I'll be able to measure it correctly. I imagine I'll have to hook up a seperate psu for the lights I don't have too much faith in Dell's propietary parts hehe.

[SodaPopinksi]

Thought I'd bump this to show my findings with this, I decided to go with the quick disconnect route, they are size .110 and fit those Happ lamp holders perfectly. The leds are the 12v 4 led clusters from superbrightleds.com, and there are 16 on the whole string lol. Gonna light up the translucent buttons, the k.o. button, trackball and "coin slots" on my project from this string. I'm just holding a 9v battery up to the wires in the pic of them illuminated... they are slightly brighter when hooked up to the Dell power supply, works great so it looks like I got lucky with the psu and all. Gonna be crazy looking under the cp, lol but oh well 

[falkensmaze]

Just an idea. I hooked up a 20w halogen (only 33 pence) to the psu 12v and mounted it under my monitor shelf about 12 inches back from the coin door  (happ)and it looks gr8. When the lights are out it iluminates fantastic and easier to mount too. Also i hooked my initial neutral wire to a switch so all my 12 v lighting ie trackball, underlights etc  can be turned off via one discreet switch above the cab

[Kaytrim]

falkensmaze; Using a Halogen lamp in an enclosed box screams FIRE HAZARD!!!    Those things put out a lot of heat and have been known to start fires.

SodaPopinski;  I like the look of the LEDs.  Can't wait to see them mounted in the cab all lit up. 

[falkensmaze]

falkensmaze; Using a Halogen lamp in an enclosed box screams FIRE HAZARD!!!    Those things put out a lot of heat and have been known to start fires.

SodaPopinski;  I like the look of the LEDs.  Can't wait to see them mounted in the cab all lit up. 

I thought this myself at first but there is very little heat off the 20w lamp i can actually touch the lamp cover and keep my finger there its warm not hot and besides my cab back is open 25% so pleanty of airflow,