Power LEDs

KiwiFlavor · 13-December-05, 09:42 PM

hello all xD

yeah so i know that the mobo connectors for the leds are 3.3v, arent they? ok so, let' say, i got a green LED on my case, (the one that shows the power is on) and i want to change it to blue LED. i found at radioshack blue led that's 3.7v. If i want to replace the green to blue, do i need a resistor? since the connector is 3.3v and the LED is 3.7v. if i do, what kind of resistor do i need?

oo and is the HD LED connector 3.3v too?

thanks all

elfuego · 13-December-05, 09:53 PM

alright so your led is a higher voltage than the power source = no resistor
if they were the other way around say your led was a 3.3 and your power source was a 3.7 then you would need a resistor.

i imagin that they are both running on the same power, but dont know for sure.

Nerdz · 13-December-05, 10:10 PM

Try and measure the voltage on the HDD LED.

I havent exactly tried putting a LED to 3.3v (I dont need to anyway..), but Im going go out on a limb and say HDD's use 5V for LEDs, and then you would need a resistor.

Twizted · 13-December-05, 10:10 PM

I've yet to see a mobo blow even a 2.2v Red led... I dont think you would ever need to resistor a LED to the Mobo's Power header nor the HDD Activity line.. They are resisted on the mobo already... Either way, as I said... I've yet to see one fry an LED......

KiwiFlavor · 14-December-05, 02:31 PM

gah i didnt mean resistor sorry

i meant diode? or wutever the stuff is that can like bring down the voltage xD sorry for the confusion tho! or probably i dont need one of those xD

oo btw let's say i bought a wrong LED light, and the mobo didnt like it, which one will be broken? the LED or the mobo? i cant afford to have my mobo broken xD

Nerdz · 14-December-05, 02:44 PM

The LED will be broken (well burnt out..)

KiwiFlavor · 14-December-05, 03:44 PM

oo ok then, hehe thanks all, that's all i need to know..

ok so in conclusion, i dont need any resistor, diode or all that stuff right?

thankss

Nerdz · 14-December-05, 03:46 PM

If its 3V right. If its 5V then yes.

13-December-05, 09:42 PM		#1 (permalink)
KiwiFlavor Apex Tech Fanatic	Power LEDs hello all xD yeah so i know that the mobo connectors for the leds are 3.3v, arent they? ok so, let' say, i got a green LED on my case, (the one that shows the power is on) and i want to change it to blue LED. i found at radioshack blue led that's 3.7v. If i want to replace the green to blue, do i need a resistor? since the connector is 3.3v and the LED is 3.7v. if i do, what kind of resistor do i need? oo and is the HD LED connector 3.3v too? thanks all

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
"Visualisation" LEDs etc - regulation of power?	Toolplusplus	Other Modding	19	02-November-04 06:11 PM
3-5 LEDs Please	SatanicTux	Case Modding	14	02-May-03 10:48 PM
Blue 3000Mcd LEDs and UV 2500Mcd LEDs CHEAP!	mustangP51	Trading Post	57	29-March-03 11:36 PM
wiring LEDs into the power supply	Terawatt_99	Case Modding	27	18-August-02 09:50 PM
ahh the power of leds	Kenny	Other Modding	1	04-August-02 09:25 PM

13-December-05, 09:53 PM		#2 (permalink)
elfuego Apex Techie II	alright so your led is a higher voltage than the power source = no resistor if they were the other way around say your led was a 3.3 and your power source was a 3.7 then you would need a resistor. i imagin that they are both running on the same power, but dont know for sure.

13-December-05, 10:10 PM		#3 (permalink)
Nerdz Sir Knight of Spamalot	Try and measure the voltage on the HDD LED. I havent exactly tried putting a LED to 3.3v (I dont need to anyway..), but Im going go out on a limb and say HDD's use 5V for LEDs, and then you would need a resistor.

13-December-05, 10:10 PM		#4 (permalink)
Twizted Editor/Reviewer/LED Guru	I've yet to see a mobo blow even a 2.2v Red led... I dont think you would ever need to resistor a LED to the Mobo's Power header nor the HDD Activity line.. They are resisted on the mobo already... Either way, as I said... I've yet to see one fry an LED......

14-December-05, 02:31 PM		#5 (permalink)
KiwiFlavor Apex Tech Fanatic	gah i didnt mean resistor sorry i meant diode? or wutever the stuff is that can like bring down the voltage xD sorry for the confusion tho! or probably i dont need one of those xD oo btw let's say i bought a wrong LED light, and the mobo didnt like it, which one will be broken? the LED or the mobo? i cant afford to have my mobo broken xD

14-December-05, 02:44 PM		#6 (permalink)
Nerdz Sir Knight of Spamalot	The LED will be broken (well burnt out..)

14-December-05, 03:44 PM		#7 (permalink)
KiwiFlavor Apex Tech Fanatic	oo ok then, hehe thanks all, that's all i need to know.. ok so in conclusion, i dont need any resistor, diode or all that stuff right? thankss

14-December-05, 03:46 PM		#8 (permalink)
Nerdz Sir Knight of Spamalot	If its 3V right. If its 5V then yes.