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What kind of LEDs do I need for the LED-Wiz/Happ translucent buttons?

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RandyT:

--- Quote from: DaddyLongLegs on July 20, 2008, 08:05:21 pm ---I must say, RandyT, you are a good salesman because you got me to order the LED-Wiz (the more expensive one) and some NovaGEMs. Everything looks great but I am a bit new to this, and the directions are very confusing. Simply put, where do I put each wire from each NovaGEM button to the LED-Wiz? I know everything is numbered but I don't know which of the two wires for each button goes where? This will all be powered via the USB port.

--- End quote ---

Heh...good salesman, eh?  Not sure how to take that :).

First things first.  You don't want to try to run more than about 4 of the NovaGems from USB power alone.  They draw about 100 ma each, and that's about 20% of the rated power of the USB port.  So you will need to refer to the  diagram which shows a 5v line coming from your PC power supply for more than that number.

The end of one of the NovaGem wires has a resistor.  This leads to the Cathode (-) of the Nova LED.  The prong of the resistor is connected to one of the outputs on the LED-Wiz.  The other wire is the Anode (+) and it connects to +5v.  A terminal block is a good investment for connecting the +5v to all of the Anode leads.  Don't tell anyone, but on my test machine I just stripped the Anode leads to expose about a half-inch of wire and tied them all together, including the +5v line, with a BIG wire nut and electrical taped it.  But I was in a hurry and I'm in no way recommending that as the best method ;).

RandyT

DaddyLongLegs:

--- Quote from: RandyT on July 20, 2008, 08:36:13 pm ---The end of one of the NovaGem wires has a resistor.  This leads to the Cathode (-) of the Nova LED.  The prong of the resistor is connected to one of the outputs on the LED-Wiz.  The other wire is the Anode (+) and it connects to +5v.  A terminal block is a good investment for connecting the +5v to all of the Anode leads.  Don't tell anyone, but on my test machine I just stripped the Anode leads to expose about a half-inch of wire and tied them all together, including the +5v line, with a BIG wire nut and electrical taped it.  But I was in a hurry and I'm in no way recommending that as the best method ;).

RandyT

--- End quote ---

Ah, got it. What is the normal recommended way to hook them all up to +5V from my PC? I mean I can tear apart a molex Y adapter but I don't know where I'd splice everything to. What's the +5v line in the PC? The red wire on a molex plug or something? Just splice everything together to that from the power supply?

Thanks! I guess the only thing the USB thing is used for then is controlling the device then? If so, I would also like to know how to use this in MaLa (the reason I bought it) so I can choose individually in what game what buttons light up! Also, if I order more NovaGEMs, is there any way to save some money and order them without the microswitches? I have a ton of them laying around and would hate to waste the money.

RandyT:

--- Quote from: DaddyLongLegs on July 20, 2008, 08:48:36 pm ---The red wire on a molex plug or something?

--- End quote ---

That would be the one.  You should also run a line from the black one to GROUND on the LED-Wiz, as long as you are at it.


--- Quote ---Also, if I order more NovaGEMs, is there any way to save some money and order them without the microswitches? I have a ton of them laying around and would hate to waste the money.

--- End quote ---

Just leave the microswitch selection set to "None" when you order.  But you know you want to ditch all of them in favor of Micro-Leaf versions anyway ;)

RandyT

DaddyLongLegs:

--- Quote from: RandyT on July 20, 2008, 10:03:52 pm ---That would be the one.  You should also run a line from the black one to GROUND on the LED-Wiz, as long as you are at it.

--- End quote ---

Thanks but there are two black wires. Which one do I use?

RandyT:
Both black wires on the PC drive molex connector are ground, so you can take your pick ;)

RandyT

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