Help installing NZXT Hue LED's in the Fractal Design Define R5

[ags911]

Hi guys, I was just wondering what the common method was to install LED strips in the R5. I see many reviews of the new NZXT Hue+ with the strips being mounted along the bottom, top and side of the case along the hard drive bay especially with the H440's. The only problem with this is they can't get the 4th strip on since at the back of the case the 140mm fan stops you running a strip up that end.

 

Here are some sources:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZwYHEQsrwA​

 

https://cdn.pcpartpicker.com/static/forever/images/userbuild/69699.5408bc41e194fcb278bf771792b81069.64e51bddabdd61556d66606e5f588e4d.256c.jpg

 

 

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=nzxt+h440+led+strip&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAmoVChMI5_udkKSbyQIVAsUUCh3M7QaD&biw=1344&bih=875#tbm=isch&q=fractal+design+led+strip&imgrc=GVCBrdHiyAiAFM%3A

 

 

The only alternative was to mount it on the side panel around the window but this wasn't great as the R4 and R5 have acoustic material around the window but that prevents the adhesive or magnets from sticking to the side panel so I used tape to stick it down but that will only last a while before it loosens. I previously thought about gluing it down but I thought I would consult here to see what everyone else was doing? Any help would be appreciated and I can post pictures if requested.

[GalacticRuler]

Can you change the 140mm to a 120mm?

[ags911]

Maybe I could but maybe that's too much hassle idk. I don't mind three strips perhaps. How do you mount yours?

[johnny5c]

I have the Hue in a Air 540 and what I did to get around the rear fan was to cut the strip and solder in a small piece of 4 conductor wire that fit between the fan and the edge of the case.

[ags911]

I have the Hue in a Air 540 and what I did to get around the rear fan was to cut the strip and solder in a small piece of 4 conductor wire that fit between the fan and the edge of the case.

That could work though there's a latch mechanism on the door that I might somehow have to remove. Interesting ly enough they show the lights being wrapped around the fan on one of their pictures. https://store.nzxt.com/products/hue-plus-rgb-led-lighting-kit

[johnny5c]

That could work though there's a latch mechanism on the door that I might somehow have to remove. Interesting ly enough they show the lights being wrapped around the fan on one of their pictures. https://store.nzxt.com/products/hue-plus-rgb-led-lighting-kit

I saw that but personally I like to keep the strip out of sight, you could always run a wire around the other side of the fan if there isn't room on the side of the case.

[ags911]

I saw that but personally I like to keep the strip out of sight, you could always run a wire around the other side of the fan if there isn't room on the side of the case.

Thanks, I am buying the HUE+ (the one in the link) which has 4 separate strips with extension leads instead of one long one in the older HUE so I'll keep you updated!

[johnnysasaki]

I have the Hue in a Air 540 and what I did to get around the rear fan was to cut the strip and solder in a small piece of 4 conductor wire that fit between the fan and the edge of the case.

Hi, slightly off topic. I have a 540 case and was looking into getting Hue+. Did you have any other issues with fitting LEDs in your case or e.g. the control module (I'm assuming you hid it behind, in the other chamber)? Also your general impression. I am slightly worried that due to the size of the side window, I'll be able to notice not only the glow but LEDs itself, which might ruin the effect.

[johnny5c]

Hi, slightly off topic. I have a 540 case and was looking into getting Hue+. Did you have any other issues with fitting LEDs in your case or e.g. the control module (I'm assuming you hid it behind, in the other chamber)? Also your general impression. I am slightly worried that due to the size of the side window, I'll be able to notice not only the glow but LEDs itself, which might ruin the effect.

 

I have the first Hue with the controller that mounts in a 5.25" bay so only can comment on mounting the strips.  I have my 540 on a shelf above my desk and you're right about being able to see the LED's with such a large window, even with the strips mounted right up against the edge of the case they're visible on the top and back.  What I'm going to do is replace the strip with a 5050 strip that has diodes spaced a inch apart (stock strip has 4" spacing) and only run them on the front and bottom of the case.  The Hue+ looks like it uses individually addressable LEDs that have something like WS2811 chips for the chasing function so my solution of replacing the strip won't work unless you can find a replacement that uses the same protocol.

[ags911]

Sounds technical! I have an issue with the + in that I can see the LED's in the back side but I think you could mount those ones on the window. The advantage of the HUE+ is that you have 2 channels that plug independently into the box so for example I have channel 1 connected to 2 strips on the top and the drive bay side. Then channel 2 is connected to 2 strips along the bottom and the back where the rear fan is. I could simply take the strip off and use an extension cable and magnetically put it on the side panel where you can't see it. I'll send a picture when I can.