Raving Out Your Computer
The video of this Mod
READ ME FIRST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
READ ME FIRST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
READ ME FIRST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
READ ME FIRST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
3/1/10
I just reorder some new parts to fix some of the problems that i have. Please don't try to work on this till I am finish solving some of the issues (Unless you are a Level 10 Electrical Engineer.)
4/4/10
Well i figure out why this doesn't work as well. LED need a certain amount of milliamps to turn on. The current that comes out of the headphone jack is WAY TO LOW. It bearly turn on the leds (so you can only see it while it is dark and the volume is MAX OUT).
So i guess i would need to make a amp before the connecting it into the transistor.
Also if you want to use the microphone you will need a PRE-amp.
READ ME FIRST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
READ ME FIRST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
READ ME FIRST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
READ ME FIRST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you have a case window just like I do you sometimes wish you could turn off all those lights. I was like one those guys, but I added this other feature call the "RAVING MOD".
This mod will show explain how to make your LEDs to turn off and on with the sound of your music (or games or anything that comes out of your audio out). You will also learn how to COMPLETELY TURN OFF ALL YOUR LIGHTS.
Disclaimer 1: My Grammar is AWFUL. So if you can help clarify something please go ahead and tell me.
Disclaimer 2: I am not responsible for anything that happens to you or your computer. I am a ME not a EE.
Disclaimer 3: Never open your Power Supply. I needed Fans to mod so I did and I learn my lesson.
Disclaimer 4:Before I continue I just want to say that the circuit for this instrubable did not just came to me one day. A fellow student in my school gave me the idea that a NPN Transistor will make the lights turn On and Off.
Materials
Computer Fan (Any size or type and no Leds are needed)
26 gauge wire (Black and some other color)
18 gauge wire (Black and some other color)
Zip Tie
Male and Female 4-pin molex
Male and Female pin molex
NPN transistor
Female Audio connector
2x Two way or 1x Three way switch
Audio Splitter
Male to Male 3.5mm audio cable
Or Microphone with 3.5mm male cable (needs Mic Preamp)
Tools
Wire Cutters
Wire Strippers
Small Standard Screwdriver or something similar
Glue Gun and Glue Sticks
Electric Tape
Soldering Iron and Solder
Brainz
READ ME FIRST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
READ ME FIRST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
READ ME FIRST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
READ ME FIRST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
3/1/10
I just reorder some new parts to fix some of the problems that i have. Please don't try to work on this till I am finish solving some of the issues (Unless you are a Level 10 Electrical Engineer.)
4/4/10
Well i figure out why this doesn't work as well. LED need a certain amount of milliamps to turn on. The current that comes out of the headphone jack is WAY TO LOW. It bearly turn on the leds (so you can only see it while it is dark and the volume is MAX OUT).
So i guess i would need to make a amp before the connecting it into the transistor.
Also if you want to use the microphone you will need a PRE-amp.
READ ME FIRST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
READ ME FIRST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
READ ME FIRST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
READ ME FIRST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you have a case window just like I do you sometimes wish you could turn off all those lights. I was like one those guys, but I added this other feature call the "RAVING MOD".
This mod will show explain how to make your LEDs to turn off and on with the sound of your music (or games or anything that comes out of your audio out). You will also learn how to COMPLETELY TURN OFF ALL YOUR LIGHTS.
Disclaimer 1: My Grammar is AWFUL. So if you can help clarify something please go ahead and tell me.
Disclaimer 2: I am not responsible for anything that happens to you or your computer. I am a ME not a EE.
Disclaimer 3: Never open your Power Supply. I needed Fans to mod so I did and I learn my lesson.
Disclaimer 4:Before I continue I just want to say that the circuit for this instrubable did not just came to me one day. A fellow student in my school gave me the idea that a NPN Transistor will make the lights turn On and Off.
Materials
Computer Fan (Any size or type and no Leds are needed)
26 gauge wire (Black and some other color)
18 gauge wire (Black and some other color)
Zip Tie
Male and Female 4-pin molex
Male and Female pin molex
NPN transistor
Female Audio connector
2x Two way or 1x Three way switch
Audio Splitter
Male to Male 3.5mm audio cable
Or Microphone with 3.5mm male cable (needs Mic Preamp)
Tools
Wire Cutters
Wire Strippers
Small Standard Screwdriver or something similar
Glue Gun and Glue Sticks
Electric Tape
Soldering Iron and Solder
Brainz
Analyzing the Fan
First we need to identify what way to rewired the fans. There are three possible ways.
The first ways is by having the wire wrap around the fan. This will probably happen if you don't have a fan that already had LEDs.
The second way is by a combination of wrapping around and going under the union bridge. The main reason why you will choice this option will be because of the canals in the bridge that could be to small for the wire that you may use. If the bridge doesn't have the canal you might need to use the "first way". Also there must be a hole and some space under that hole to fit a wire.
The third way is probably the rarest way to do it. The canal on the bridge must be big enough to fit two wires. If the 26 gauge wire is to big you might need to use a much smaller gauge for it to work.
The first ways is by having the wire wrap around the fan. This will probably happen if you don't have a fan that already had LEDs.
The second way is by a combination of wrapping around and going under the union bridge. The main reason why you will choice this option will be because of the canals in the bridge that could be to small for the wire that you may use. If the bridge doesn't have the canal you might need to use the "first way". Also there must be a hole and some space under that hole to fit a wire.
The third way is probably the rarest way to do it. The canal on the bridge must be big enough to fit two wires. If the 26 gauge wire is to big you might need to use a much smaller gauge for it to work.
Removing the Old LEDs
If you fan has LEDs you will need to remove them all. This could be a easy or AWFUL step. Some fans use a MASSIVE amount of glue to stick the LED to the fan. Use a screwdriver to remove the LED and glue from the fan. Some fans are a light amount of glue so it wouldn't be that difficult in that case.
I accidentally slaughter a couple of LEDs while removing the LEDs. The manufactor wasn't so nice at telling me what brand and model the LEDs where. So I just replaced with the ones in this site Super Bright Leds
If anyone else sees a different case please comment about it.
I accidentally slaughter a couple of LEDs while removing the LEDs. The manufactor wasn't so nice at telling me what brand and model the LEDs where. So I just replaced with the ones in this site Super Bright Leds
If anyone else sees a different case please comment about it.
Cutting the Wires
Cut the wires that are attach to each LED. Don't remove the wires from the fan it self.
Plug the fan into your computer and check if the fan still works with out having the leds connected.
If you are lucky the fan should work (and it might spin a BIT faster). Now you can remove the wires from the fan using APPROPIATE WAY.
If you SUPER UNLUCKY and your fans didn't spin you will need to soder a resister at the end of each wire. You can hide the resistor later with hot glue.
Plug the fan into your computer and check if the fan still works with out having the leds connected.
If you are lucky the fan should work (and it might spin a BIT faster). Now you can remove the wires from the fan using APPROPIATE WAY.
If you SUPER UNLUCKY and your fans didn't spin you will need to soder a resister at the end of each wire. You can hide the resistor later with hot glue.
Cleaning the LEDs
Get the four LEDs that you cut off. You need to remove any extra glue.
Straighten the legs.
Straighten the legs.
LED Circuit
Before we start let me explain something that most of you guys should know.
We are going to place this LEDs in a Series circuit.
If you can't understand this digram look at the picture that I uploaded.
12v PN _ PN _ PN _ PN _ Ground
P = Positive Side
N = Negative side
We are going to place this LEDs in a Series circuit.
If you can't understand this digram look at the picture that I uploaded.
12v PN _ PN _ PN _ PN _ Ground
P = Positive Side
N = Negative side
Wrapping Way
This step will explain exactly what wrapping the wire is. It will also explain how to start all three ways of wiring.
First Place the LED on the hole
Then solder a wire to the NEGATIVE terminal of the LED.
Place the second LED on the next spot (it doesn't matter if you go clock wise or counter wise)
Move the wire around edge of the fan.
Cut and Solder ON THE POSITIVE TERMINAL.
Do these over and over till you are done if you are doing "Way ONE"
Follow the next step if you are doing "Way TWO"
Ignore this step if you are doing "Way THREE"
First Place the LED on the hole
Then solder a wire to the NEGATIVE terminal of the LED.
Place the second LED on the next spot (it doesn't matter if you go clock wise or counter wise)
Move the wire around edge of the fan.
Cut and Solder ON THE POSITIVE TERMINAL.
Do these over and over till you are done if you are doing "Way ONE"
Follow the next step if you are doing "Way TWO"
Ignore this step if you are doing "Way THREE"
Under the Union Bridge
This step will explain exactly what UNDER THE UNION BRIDGE is. It will also explain how to start all three ways of wiring.
First Place the LED on the hole
Then solder a wire to the NEGATIVE terminal of the LED.
Place the second LED on the next spot (it doesn't matter if you go clock wise or counter wise)
Move down into the middle of the fan. (you might need to remove the sticker)
Slide the wire under the center plastic thing.
Move to the LED you place
Cut and Solder ON THE POSITIVE TERMINAL.
First Place the LED on the hole
Then solder a wire to the NEGATIVE terminal of the LED.
Place the second LED on the next spot (it doesn't matter if you go clock wise or counter wise)
Move down into the middle of the fan. (you might need to remove the sticker)
Slide the wire under the center plastic thing.
Move to the LED you place
Cut and Solder ON THE POSITIVE TERMINAL.
Finishing Up
Before you start soldering the Final two wires on the first and fourth (This last LED's terminal should be NEGATIVE {and the first LED should have the Positive terminal empty}) you have to under that these wire are GOING TO BE LONG.
First determine how long you want to cables to be. (I made most of my LED connecting cables about 3' Feet.)
NOTE: The rest of the instruction will use 3 feet as reference. This measurement can be anything you want.
Measure out 3' feet of RED 26 gage wire (this MUST BE 26 gauge or THICKER).
Solder this wire on the Positive terminal of the First LED that you place.
Measure out 3' feet of BLACK 26 gage wire (this MUST BE 26 gauge or THICKER).how much you need to move a wire from the fourth LED to the First and add 3' Feet.
Solder this BLACK wire on the GROUND terminal of the fourth LED.
First determine how long you want to cables to be. (I made most of my LED connecting cables about 3' Feet.)
NOTE: The rest of the instruction will use 3 feet as reference. This measurement can be anything you want.
Measure out 3' feet of RED 26 gage wire (this MUST BE 26 gauge or THICKER).
Solder this wire on the Positive terminal of the First LED that you place.
Measure out 3' feet of BLACK 26 gage wire (this MUST BE 26 gauge or THICKER).how much you need to move a wire from the fourth LED to the First and add 3' Feet.
Solder this BLACK wire on the GROUND terminal of the fourth LED.
Gun It With GLUE
Glue each LED and solder point with LOTS of Glue.
Adding the 4-Pin Molex
Before we start let make it clear that this Lights should NEVER be connect in Parallel with other hardware like Hard Drivers.
It is okay to have this LED on a Parallel with other lights.
We are going to add Male and Female 4-Pin Molex
First Cut 1Black and 1 Red (or any color) 18 GAUGE WIRE (IT MUST BE 18 or THICKER)
Get a MALE pin and place the small 26 Gauge wire under the big 18 Gauge wire inside the pin.
Close the pin.
Get a FEMALE pin and close it on the other end of the 18 Gauge wire.
Close the pin
Insert the NON-BLACK MALE pin on the 12V hole of the MALE Molex
This 12V hole is the one on the RIGHT when the Diagonal cuts on the top (look at the images)
The Black Male Pin goes to the left of the 12V hole
Same thing happens on the Female Pins and Molex but opposite sides.
It is okay to have this LED on a Parallel with other lights.
We are going to add Male and Female 4-Pin Molex
First Cut 1Black and 1 Red (or any color) 18 GAUGE WIRE (IT MUST BE 18 or THICKER)
Get a MALE pin and place the small 26 Gauge wire under the big 18 Gauge wire inside the pin.
Close the pin.
Get a FEMALE pin and close it on the other end of the 18 Gauge wire.
Close the pin
Insert the NON-BLACK MALE pin on the 12V hole of the MALE Molex
This 12V hole is the one on the RIGHT when the Diagonal cuts on the top (look at the images)
The Black Male Pin goes to the left of the 12V hole
Same thing happens on the Female Pins and Molex but opposite sides.
Connect and Test
Connect the cable of the LED to a OPEN molex connector.
If it doesn't work you might have not made the circuit correctly or the leds didn't like 3v. If you need help comment and I will.
If it doesn't work you might have not made the circuit correctly or the leds didn't like 3v. If you need help comment and I will.
Rave Circuit
This is the circuit.
I can't explain how to make it so look at those pictures.
The Transistor MUST BE NPN and it must be one that can support 12v or more and have the Heatsink in the back. Just like the one in the picture. The one I have is a TIP31C
Also NEVER NEVER Connect the 12v and Ground cable together (the ones for the switches). DOUBLE check your switches cables.
I can't explain how to make it so look at those pictures.
The Transistor MUST BE NPN and it must be one that can support 12v or more and have the Heatsink in the back. Just like the one in the picture. The one I have is a TIP31C
Also NEVER NEVER Connect the 12v and Ground cable together (the ones for the switches). DOUBLE check your switches cables.
Connecting It All Together
So you should have a Fan with two cables (one to spin the fan and the other to turn on the LEDs). Connect the fan cable (the one that makes it spin) just like you had it normally. The other cable (the one for the LEDs) should be connected to the Female Molex of the Rave Circuit. If you have more LED or Fans (don't connect Cold Cathols or Neon Lights... risky) just connected to the other end of the LED cable.
Now you have to options on how the Rave Circuit will obtain its audio. One can be straight from the Audio out of your computer (you will need a audio splitter) or you can plug a microphone on the female connector.
(I have personally not tested the microphone idea YET. Will work on it as soon as I have my PSU working again)
Now you have to options on how the Rave Circuit will obtain its audio. One can be straight from the Audio out of your computer (you will need a audio splitter) or you can plug a microphone on the female connector.
(I have personally not tested the microphone idea YET. Will work on it as soon as I have my PSU working again)