Recommendations: LED/fan controller

ebackhus · 04-09-2007, 11:43 AM

I recently built a sw33t rig for my neighbor, but the LEDs on the case make us worry that airplanes may try to land on our building due to their brightness. He also mentioned getting a fan controller just to keep noise down at night when he's not working on the PC. I've found plenty of controllers, but nothing that incorporates BOTH features we want. Any suggestions or recommendations?

**pharoah** · 04-09-2007, 12:36 PM

ive never seen a controller for led's.cold cathodes yes,but led's no.you could always use some resistors to undervolt the led's to dim them.just like the controller i have.it has control for cold cathode,but only on,or off.

ebackhus · 04-09-2007, 01:15 PM

Gah, I feel dumb now! I hadn't even thought of just an on/off switch. There's also the more obvious solution of turning the whole machine off but sometimes it's fun to play at night!

**Ralck** · 04-09-2007, 01:16 PM

I want to say Vantec had one or two models that could dim lights as well, but don't quote me on that.

As pharoh said, getting some potentiometers (or just resisters as he said specifically), you could build your own controller, but it might not look as nice as a pre-built one. Or just with resisters you could just permantly dim the LED's.

I'd also imagine that most simple fan controllers are just built using several potentiometers? You might just be able to hardwire the LED's to that, though you'd have to be able to make sure you weren't providing too much resistance or too little resistance.

ebackhus · 04-09-2007, 02:36 PM

I was thinking of wiring up for individual fan controls. As it is now they all run at 100% speed which can cause a lot of wind noise. What really sucks is that all the fans use MOLEX plugs so the headers on the motherboard are useless. <TWIBAT>

**Kalim** · 04-09-2007, 02:50 PM

Yeah a resistor will work perfectly for dimming. I also haven't yet come across PC LED/fan controllers. There are however LED controllers like this but I doubt it changes intensity as you want.

Maybe these mini dimmers will work correctly here, as that's their purpose. Not something I've tried though.

Quote:

but the LEDs on the case make us worry that airplanes may try to land on our building due to their brightness.

Hehe that's OK. Use one of these on the roof for warning.

**8210GUY** · 04-09-2007, 05:16 PM

Why not simply swap the fans for unlit ones then get a controller for the speed of them, seems far simpler than messing around with resistors etc.

ebackhus · 04-10-2007, 01:42 PM

8210Guy: The fans aren't much a problem aside from the noise generated. The fan controller would be installed just for that reason.

Kalim: Thanks a mill for those links! I was thinking it would be fun to use the front LED lights on the case to display things in a braille-light form.

**FreoHeaveho** · 04-13-2007, 06:22 PM

If you are up for a challenge you could try using a LDR (light dependant resistor). Using a four way switch you could have it:

OFF (ie fans and lights off)
ON (ie current situation)
ON (on with dimming - using standard resistors)
ON (with light dependant dimming)

Cool little project. If you get it working post the schematic. Would be very cheap and could be quite cool!

Colonyman · 04-20-2007, 01:55 PM

How much budget do you have for this LED controller? try out

http://www.lunaraccents.com/technolo...ontroller.html

I know that this website has variety controllers that may help you great but the price is kind of high for personal activity.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigfellla

If you are up for a challenge you could try using a LDR (light dependant resistor). Using a four way switch you could have it:

OFF (ie fans and lights off)
ON (ie current situation)
ON (on with dimming - using standard resistors)
ON (with light dependant dimming)

Cool little project. If you get it working post the schematic. Would be very cheap and could be quite cool!

**FreoHeaveho** · 04-20-2007, 05:19 PM

My suggestion was a little more low tech I admint, but I think the light dependancy was the key bit.

minster9 · 05-05-2007, 08:44 PM

what about a dimmer switch like for a ceiling fan? PWM.

**FreoHeaveho** · 05-14-2007, 08:06 AM

you could experiement with that. it will effectively be a variable resistor. This may start you off http://www.mikesflightdeck.com/led_dimmer.htm

**8210GUY** · 05-17-2007, 08:26 AM

I've just stumbled across >>>This<<< while searching for a controller for myself, looks like it's ideal assuming you can access\mod the components enough to get it to work, can't tell you anything about it, but someone else may.

ebackhus · 05-17-2007, 10:48 PM

10 eb points awarded for awesome!

--later thoughts--

I can't find any for purchase... Any ideas?

**8210GUY** · 05-18-2007, 09:36 AM

LOL it is different I admit, >>>Here<<< is their page to find sellers in your area if that helps.

04-09-2007, 11:43 AM	#1 (permalink)
ebackhus Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 14,303 OS: WinXP Pro SP3/Windows 7 RTM My System Blog Entries: 28	Recommendations: LED/fan controller I recently built a sw33t rig for my neighbor, but the LEDs on the case make us worry that airplanes may try to land on our building due to their brightness. He also mentioned getting a fan controller just to keep noise down at night when he's not working on the PC. I've found plenty of controllers, but nothing that incorporates BOTH features we want. Any suggestions or recommendations? __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses.

04-09-2007, 12:36 PM	#2 (permalink)
pharoah TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 5,188 OS: vista business edition My System	Re: Recommendations: LED/fan controller ive never seen a controller for led's.cold cathodes yes,but led's no.you could always use some resistors to undervolt the led's to dim them.just like the controller i have.it has control for cold cathode,but only on,or off. __________________ Follow These Steps First Power Supply Selection Posting System Specs Oblivion Tweak Guide Video Drivers& Information TSF folding at home team 85015

04-09-2007, 01:15 PM	#3 (permalink)
ebackhus Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 14,303 OS: WinXP Pro SP3/Windows 7 RTM My System Blog Entries: 28	Re: Recommendations: LED/fan controller Gah, I feel dumb now! I hadn't even thought of just an on/off switch. There's also the more obvious solution of turning the whole machine off but sometimes it's fun to play at night! __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses.

04-09-2007, 01:16 PM	#4 (permalink)
Ralck TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,454 OS: 98SE/XP PRO/FC4 My System	Re: Recommendations: LED/fan controller I want to say Vantec had one or two models that could dim lights as well, but don't quote me on that. As pharoh said, getting some potentiometers (or just resisters as he said specifically), you could build your own controller, but it might not look as nice as a pre-built one. Or just with resisters you could just permantly dim the LED's. I'd also imagine that most simple fan controllers are just built using several potentiometers? You might just be able to hardwire the LED's to that, though you'd have to be able to make sure you weren't providing too much resistance or too little resistance. __________________ Power Supply Info Everyone Should Read! How to Post Your System Specs Last edited by Ralck; 04-09-2007 at 01:18 PM.

04-09-2007, 02:36 PM	#5 (permalink)
ebackhus Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 14,303 OS: WinXP Pro SP3/Windows 7 RTM My System Blog Entries: 28	Re: Recommendations: LED/fan controller I was thinking of wiring up for individual fan controls. As it is now they all run at 100% speed which can cause a lot of wind noise. What really sucks is that all the fans use MOLEX plugs so the headers on the motherboard are useless. <TWIBAT> __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses.

04-09-2007, 05:16 PM	#7 (permalink)
8210GUY TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,558 OS: xp Pro	Re: Recommendations: LED/fan controller Why not simply swap the fans for unlit ones then get a controller for the speed of them, seems far simpler than messing around with resistors etc.

04-10-2007, 01:42 PM	#8 (permalink)
ebackhus Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 14,303 OS: WinXP Pro SP3/Windows 7 RTM My System Blog Entries: 28	Re: Recommendations: LED/fan controller 8210Guy: The fans aren't much a problem aside from the noise generated. The fan controller would be installed just for that reason. Kalim: Thanks a mill for those links! I was thinking it would be fun to use the front LED lights on the case to display things in a braille-light form. __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses.

04-13-2007, 06:22 PM	#9 (permalink)
FreoHeaveho TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Australia Posts: 3,227 OS: Windows Vista Ultimate 64 SP2, Windows XP Professional SP3, Mac OSX Leopard My System	Re: Recommendations: LED/fan controller If you are up for a challenge you could try using a LDR (light dependant resistor). Using a four way switch you could have it: OFF (ie fans and lights off) ON (ie current situation) ON (on with dimming - using standard resistors) ON (with light dependant dimming) Cool little project. If you get it working post the schematic. Would be very cheap and could be quite cool! __________________ PC Wizard-VGA 2009 Charts-Power Supply Info-Multi/Single Rail PSU?-Speedfan-Driver Sweeper

04-20-2007, 05:19 PM	#11 (permalink)
FreoHeaveho TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Australia Posts: 3,227 OS: Windows Vista Ultimate 64 SP2, Windows XP Professional SP3, Mac OSX Leopard My System	Re: Recommendations: LED/fan controller My suggestion was a little more low tech I admint, but I think the light dependancy was the key bit. __________________ PC Wizard-VGA 2009 Charts-Power Supply Info-Multi/Single Rail PSU?-Speedfan-Driver Sweeper

05-05-2007, 08:44 PM	#12 (permalink)
minster9 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 176 OS: windows 2000	Re: Recommendations: LED/fan controller what about a dimmer switch like for a ceiling fan? PWM.

05-14-2007, 08:06 AM	#13 (permalink)
FreoHeaveho TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Australia Posts: 3,227 OS: Windows Vista Ultimate 64 SP2, Windows XP Professional SP3, Mac OSX Leopard My System	Re: Recommendations: LED/fan controller you could experiement with that. it will effectively be a variable resistor. This may start you off http://www.mikesflightdeck.com/led_dimmer.htm __________________ PC Wizard-VGA 2009 Charts-Power Supply Info-Multi/Single Rail PSU?-Speedfan-Driver Sweeper

05-17-2007, 08:26 AM	#14 (permalink)
8210GUY TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,558 OS: xp Pro	Re: Recommendations: LED/fan controller I've just stumbled across >>>This<<< while searching for a controller for myself, looks like it's ideal assuming you can access\mod the components enough to get it to work, can't tell you anything about it, but someone else may.

05-17-2007, 10:48 PM	#15 (permalink)
ebackhus Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 14,303 OS: WinXP Pro SP3/Windows 7 RTM My System Blog Entries: 28	Re: Recommendations: LED/fan controller 10 eb points awarded for awesome! --later thoughts-- I can't find any for purchase... Any ideas? __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses. Last edited by ebackhus; 05-18-2007 at 02:37 AM.

05-18-2007, 09:36 AM	#16 (permalink)
8210GUY TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,558 OS: xp Pro	Re: Recommendations: LED/fan controller LOL it is different I admit, >>>Here<<< is their page to find sellers in your area if that helps.