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Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: Don on May 07, 2010, 07:40:34 am

Title: LED noob
Post by: Don on May 07, 2010, 07:40:34 am

I recently got 2 illuminated coin buttons from Ozstick and am wondering how to wire them up. I know it can be done using power connectors from the PC but have no idea how to do this. Will i need to solder etc.?

Here are the two 12v LED's
(http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/3056/dsc00683t.jpg)


..and here are the two power connectors I have free, which one should I use, or both?
(http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/7342/dsc00681g.th.jpg) (http://img144.imageshack.us/i/dsc00681g.jpg/)               (http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/6678/dsc00679i.th.jpg) (http://img294.imageshack.us/i/dsc00679i.jpg/)

Title: Re: LED noob
Post by: lilshawn on May 07, 2010, 10:26:55 am

chop off the yellow and a black wire (or use an adapter that will plug into your connector) and use that for your lights.

yellow is 12 volts
blacks are ground
red is 5 volts

Title: Re: LED noob
Post by: bkenobi on May 07, 2010, 11:42:07 am

Yup, just take a PSU splitter cable and cut one of the ends off.  Use wire nuts (easy) or a power distribution block (fancy) to attach devices.

Title: Re: LED noob
Post by: Don on May 07, 2010, 12:04:26 pm

Great thanks. Should i get a molex extension cable to reach up to my control panel (like this? http://cgi.ebay.ie/72-Inch-Molex-Extension-Cable-Black-Sleeved-/310218627484?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Computing_CablesConnectors_RL&hash=item483a78999c (http://cgi.ebay.ie/72-Inch-Molex-Extension-Cable-Black-Sleeved-/310218627484?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Computing_CablesConnectors_RL&hash=item483a78999c)) and a splitter cable to supply power and earth to the 2 LED's?

Title: Re: LED noob
Post by: bkenobi on May 07, 2010, 12:11:09 pm

That might make things easier.  I just used a standard molex splitter cable and attached the length of wire needed to connect to what I was working on.  If you want the splitter to be closer to your work, you could go that route, but it does add extra cost over plain old stranded wire.

Title: Re: LED noob
Post by: Don on May 13, 2010, 05:40:36 pm

Ok now i have the wires i need, just 2 questions:

1) How exactly do i connect the wire ends to the circular holes on the LED?
and
2) What should I do with the 1 spare black wire and spare red wire after i have connected the yellow and black?

Thanks again

Title: Re: LED noob
Post by: Ond on May 13, 2010, 09:11:49 pm

Quote from: hama33 on May 13, 2010, 05:40:36 pm

Ok now i have the wires i need, just 2 questions:

1) How exactly do i connect the wire ends to the circular holes on the LED?


2) What should I do with the 1 spare black wire and spare red wire after i have connected the yellow and black?

Thanks again

1) You can use crimped spade lugs (female).  Crimp them onto the wire ends and slide them on to each connection (Spade) or you can just solder the wires direct to the Spades.

2) If you don't need them you can either cut them short and tape the ends, or, using a fine screwdriver remove them from the Molex connector altogether.

Title: Re: LED noob
Post by: bkenobi on May 14, 2010, 02:12:07 am

I would personally tape the ends of the spare wires.  If you ever need 5v in your cab, you will kick yourself for cutting the wire too short to be usable.   :dizzy:

Title: Re: LED noob
Post by: Beretta on May 14, 2010, 03:21:07 am

tape works.. of course a little bit of hot glue works also.

probably the most professional way would be to put a little bit of shrink tubing on the end.