NovaGemCDR + minipac

[langdoguk]

Hi guys , I'm building a minicab with the basic minipac and think the NovaGemCDR (x2)would be just great ,would I have enough 5v - 0v on the minipac for this , I'm going with 2 joysticks + 6 buttons each, I'm crap with electronics (woodwork , software , etc) but will give it a go ,
I see: +5v1 , +5v2 ,gnd2 ,gnd3 ,+5v ,
I think I would only need 2 x 5v supply's , so am I okay to go ahead  and buy 2 of the NovaGemCDR
It's the £15(few month back) special deal to BYOAC from ultimarc minipac I've got.

  thanks in advance

[ahofle]

The minipac won't have the current to drive the super bright LEDs in the CDR buttons.  You'll need to tap into your computer's 5V power supply. 

[langdoguk]

cheers 
I keep hearing of tapping in to the power supply , is it easy enough to do?
I've also thought about the NovaMatrix™ LED Marquee Light but that's tapping in to the power supply too(12v this time), if it's easy enough I will try it.

 

[ahofle]

It's pretty simple.  Make sure the computer is off when you mess with it.  You can buy yourself some molex connectors/wire and create a connector that just plugs into one of the extra 4 pin white molex sockets hanging around your PC innards.  The Red/Black wires are usually 5V and Yellow/Black are 12V (check with multimeter).  If you are using solid core wire to run to the LEDs, you can sometimes fold the end of the wire and wedge it into the computer's female molex socket, but you won't get the most reliable connection that way(although I haven't had any problems).

EDIT: You could just buy one of these:
http://www.crazypc.com/products/5409.html

[langdoguk]

cheers mate

I will go ahead and get my new toys 

Don't think it will be too hard  , but watch for my help post when I get them .

  thanks again

ps does my ground wire just daisy chain on to the the rest of the ground links?