HDD activity light question...

madxmodman · 30-July-05, 01:19 AM

As a lot of you know, I am working on a case, code named "bass green." Anyway, I am putting in a windowed HDD. I will be putting the HDD activity lights inside the cover of the HDD. Anyway, I need to know the standard voltage of the HDD activity LED header so I will know what resistor to use. Knowing the current would be great too. Ty all, it's AT btw, if that really makes a difference.

Rob · 30-July-05, 01:33 AM

I'm going to assume two things here...

1. You are replacing the HD with a plexi cover, right? Doesn't make sense to put an activity light in there and slap the cover back on.

2. This is going to be a non-functioning hard drive? As sensitive as the platters are, the moment you start to solder in the LED, the platters are going to go belly-up on you. If it's going to be a functioning hard drive, best of luck to you.

Someone else will be along shortly to answer your questions.

Rob

madxmodman · 30-July-05, 08:51 AM

Yes, there will be a window in it. But yes, It will be a functioning HDD. I am simply going to drill two holes into the cover casing for the LEDs, then glue them in there, let it sit for afew days, and then put the cover back on, install the HDD, and see if it works. If it doesn't, well, I'll probably just replace that drive with another, and not do a window.

Nerdz · 30-July-05, 04:57 PM

As A rule Of thumb, I always use 220-270Ohms(usualy 270, because thats what I have in stock). It gives good brightness, yet protects the LED.

madxmodman · 30-July-05, 06:59 PM

Ok, ty, what wattage do you think?

Nerdz · 30-July-05, 08:59 PM

What do you have in stock?

Id say 1/8 or 1/4W should be fine. 1/4W is always assumed.

madxmodman · 30-July-05, 09:08 PM

Well, a while ago, my dad bought a 500 pack of resistors from radioshack. They are all 1/8th watt. I figured I would use them, but if I need 1.4th then I will get them. No big deal. Anyway, Thanks a bunch for the info, it really helped. Btw, I'm using two LEDs in series.

TiZakit · 30-July-05, 09:11 PM

Can't you just wire two of the 1/8watt resisters together in parellel?

Nerdz · 31-July-05, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TiZakit


	Can't you just wire two of the 1/8watt resisters together in parellel?

Yes but you wont have the same resistance. Total resistance will be the recpriocal sum of the reciprocals of the resistors in questions.

Example:

270ohm in parallel with a 270Ohm resistor.

Calculation:
1
-------------------
1/270 + 1/ 270

=135Ohm

Power Will add of course.

madxmodman · 31-July-05, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nerdz


	Yes but you wont have the same resistance. Total resistance will be the recpriocal sum of the reciprocals of the resistors in questions. Example: 270ohm in parallel with a 270Ohm resistor. Calculation: 1 ------------------- 1/270 + 1/ 270 =135Ohm Power Will add of course.

I would seriously like to know how you got that awnser...

But, that still doesn't really awnser my question... Can I use a 1/8th watt resistor?

Nerdz · 31-July-05, 05:56 PM

Yes, you can use 1/8W..I said that earlier Didnt I?

How I got that answer:

Easy, Got a calculator (scientific of course) There should be a 1/x Button or so..(dependong on your calculator, for this I'll show you using windows Calc)

Step 1) enter 270, and then hit the 1/x button
step 2)Press The + sign
Step 3) Enter 270, and then hit the 1/x button
Step 4) Press = (and you should get some funky number a very small number)
Step 5) Press the 1/x button again and thats your answer

madxmodman · 31-July-05, 06:25 PM

Oh, ok. cool. *woosh* I think I skipped that lesson in math... lol.

But I will use a 1/8th watt then. Thanks a bunch!

30-July-05, 01:19 AM		#1 (permalink)
madxmodman Apex Tech Fanatic	HDD activity light question... As a lot of you know, I am working on a case, code named "bass green." Anyway, I am putting in a windowed HDD. I will be putting the HDD activity lights inside the cover of the HDD. Anyway, I need to know the standard voltage of the HDD activity LED header so I will know what resistor to use. Knowing the current would be great too. Ty all, it's AT btw, if that really makes a difference.

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30-July-05, 01:33 AM		#2 (permalink)
Rob Advocatus Diaboli	I'm going to assume two things here... 1. You are replacing the HD with a plexi cover, right? Doesn't make sense to put an activity light in there and slap the cover back on. 2. This is going to be a non-functioning hard drive? As sensitive as the platters are, the moment you start to solder in the LED, the platters are going to go belly-up on you. If it's going to be a functioning hard drive, best of luck to you. Someone else will be along shortly to answer your questions. Rob

30-July-05, 08:51 AM		#3 (permalink)
madxmodman Apex Tech Fanatic	Yes, there will be a window in it. But yes, It will be a functioning HDD. I am simply going to drill two holes into the cover casing for the LEDs, then glue them in there, let it sit for afew days, and then put the cover back on, install the HDD, and see if it works. If it doesn't, well, I'll probably just replace that drive with another, and not do a window.

30-July-05, 04:57 PM		#4 (permalink)
Nerdz Sir Knight of Spamalot	As A rule Of thumb, I always use 220-270Ohms(usualy 270, because thats what I have in stock). It gives good brightness, yet protects the LED.

30-July-05, 06:59 PM		#5 (permalink)
madxmodman Apex Tech Fanatic	Ok, ty, what wattage do you think?

30-July-05, 08:59 PM		#6 (permalink)
Nerdz Sir Knight of Spamalot	What do you have in stock? Id say 1/8 or 1/4W should be fine. 1/4W is always assumed.

30-July-05, 09:08 PM		#7 (permalink)
madxmodman Apex Tech Fanatic	Well, a while ago, my dad bought a 500 pack of resistors from radioshack. They are all 1/8th watt. I figured I would use them, but if I need 1.4th then I will get them. No big deal. Anyway, Thanks a bunch for the info, it really helped. Btw, I'm using two LEDs in series.

30-July-05, 09:11 PM		#8 (permalink)
TiZakit Apex Tech Demi-God	Can't you just wire two of the 1/8watt resisters together in parellel?

31-July-05, 05:56 PM		#11 (permalink)
Nerdz Sir Knight of Spamalot	Yes, you can use 1/8W..I said that earlier Didnt I? How I got that answer: Easy, Got a calculator (scientific of course) There should be a 1/x Button or so..(dependong on your calculator, for this I'll show you using windows Calc) Step 1) enter 270, and then hit the 1/x button step 2)Press The + sign Step 3) Enter 270, and then hit the 1/x button Step 4) Press = (and you should get some funky number a very small number) Step 5) Press the 1/x button again and thats your answer

31-July-05, 06:25 PM		#12 (permalink)
madxmodman Apex Tech Fanatic	Oh, ok. cool. woosh I think I skipped that lesson in math... lol. But I will use a 1/8th watt then. Thanks a bunch!