Main > Main Forum
Lightup pushbuttons/iPac?
StephenH:
+5V should light the lamp, although it might not be full brightness. Also, check to see if the amperage out is sufficent.
If not, use a relay or MOSFET circuit to turn the lamp on, with an external +6V supply. If you need a +6V supply, try radio shack.
paigeoliver:
Your computer power supply should be a handy source of 5 Volt power.
M-80:
--- Quote from: paigeoliver on May 05, 2003, 07:48:53 am ---Your computer power supply should be a handy source of 5 Volt power.
--- End quote ---
Yeah, but the lamps are 6v. I'm just worried about burning out the iPac by drawing more voltage than it can handle. I'm not much of an electrician, though I did take a home & auto class in high school which I got a D for. LOL The thought is to hook up the lightup push buttons to the NumLock, Caps and Scroll screw terminals of the iPac. Not simply to have a constant light in each button. I'll save that for any constant lighting I might want in the CP (the more and more I think about it the more I like that idea, but where to put that lighting on the CP... A personal taste thing). Like replacing the lamps with lower voltage LEDs (the ones at Happ are still 6v :\ ). But I might just try the first suggestion with the driver circuit. I'll just have to study it for a while and just build the CP as I go. I mean, I can always add that feature later and just mothball the lamps in the meantime. I haven't done any real circuit board wiring before and other than soldering together wire ends for home wiring (thanks home & auto class!), my circuit board soldering skills are non-existant.
RandyT:
I just want to reinforce what BobA said....Never hook light-bulbs directly to your IPAC (not even just to try it)! You will damage it.
The processor can't sink anywhere near the amount of current required by a incandescent lamp, and will, at minimum, burn out that input.
LEDs use less current, but the bright ones can do the same damage without the circuit mentioned above.
I'm afraid it's your only option.
RandyT
M-80:
--- Quote from: RandyT on May 05, 2003, 01:58:37 pm ---I just want to reinforce what BobA said....Never hook light-bulbs directly to your IPAC (not even just to try it)! You will damage it.
--- End quote ---
And I will reitterate what I've already said: I am not going to do that. Which is why I'm asking if there is a better way which was answered by BobA and OSCAR.
--- Quote ---The processor can't sink anywhere near the amount of current required by a incandescent lamp, and will, at minimum, burn out that input.
--- End quote ---
Yes, I understand that. Thought that was clear. ;)
--- Quote ---LEDs use less current, but the bright ones can do the same damage without the circuit mentioned above.
I'm afraid it's your only option.
--- End quote ---
LOL Ok, let me make clear what I knew before the topic was made and what I learned
Before post: I know lamps whether incandescant or LED that exceed the voltage of such equipment as the iPac will burn out said equipment. I saw the difference at HappControls.com and Ultimarc and came here to ask if there was something with lower voltage that I could use. Surely there must be, because, again, I do not want to use what Happ offers. Unless Happ does offer solutions and I just haven't looked long enough.
After post: I know now, after reading what BobA and OSCAR posted that a driver circuit is possibly my only option. No need to repeat. Not everybody's a dumb newbie. ;) But thanks for making it clear anyway. I just want my blinky Num/Caps/Scroll lights.