led backlit psu cover?

[striker477]

I built a psu cover for my desktop out of acrylic and I was thinking of using vinyl to mask off a design. Then I would paint it and pull the vinyl to leave that portion clear. but if I stick a led stip right behind it I'm afraid I will have a big hot spot. So I thought about sticking a smaller piece of acrylic behind it to hopefully reflect the light more but I'm unsure if that would work how I want. Hopefully someone has more modding experience than me and could explain the best way to go about achieving the desired look like what is in this image. 

[unknownmiscreant]

I'm not sure the heat will be much of an issue. My WS2812 LED strips don't get that hot, even in a location similar to what you would be doing.

 

The LED strip you are using may be different however. I would recommend trying it without the extra piece of acrylic first.

[striker477]

1 hour ago, unknownmiscreant said:

I'm not sure the heat will be much of an issue. My WS2812 LED strips don't get that hot, even in a location similar to what you would be doing.

 

The LED strip you are using may be different however. I would recommend trying it without the extra piece of acrylic first.

1

I don't really see a led strip getting that hot. What I'm trying to say is I'm concerned about the concentration of light not being spread out evenly and would be visibly noticeable. 

[unknownmiscreant]

53 minutes ago, striker477 said:

I don't really see a led strip getting that hot. What I'm trying to say is I'm concerned about the concentration of light not being spread out evenly and would be visibly noticeable. 

Oh, sorry. i took "hot spot" to mean heat issues. 

 

Having the strip right behind will certainly cause a bright patch.

 

Try find some diffusing material. Old LCD monitors can be quite good sources of this sort of thing. Placing a sheet of that between the LED and the acrylic should help. However some spacing between the PSU and acrylic will help the most.

[Defyant]

Quote

Try find some diffusing material

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So I thought about sticking a smaller piece of acrylic behind it to hopefully reflect the light more but I'm unsure if that would work how I want

 

Sanding the plex first will diffuse it.

 

 

This guy does a pretty good job.       Jeffrey Mays

 

[unknownmiscreant]

4 hours ago, Defyant said:

 

Sanding the plex first will diffuse it.

 

 

This guy does a pretty good job.       Jeffrey Mays

 

True. Didn't think of that. Just make sure to use a fairly fine grit sand-paper. Brass polisher might be a bit fine but does actually scratch up acrylic (personal experience sadly.) I'd probably go with 800-1000 grit to start with and work down if thats too fine.

[W-L]

19 hours ago, striker477 said:

I built a psu cover for my desktop out of acrylic and I was thinking of using vinyl to mask off a design. Then I would paint it and pull the vinyl to leave that portion clear. but if I stick a led stip right behind it I'm afraid I will have a big hot spot. So I thought about sticking a smaller piece of acrylic behind it to hopefully reflect the light more but I'm unsure if that would work how I want. Hopefully someone has more modding experience than me and could explain the best way to go about achieving the desired look like what is in this image. 

If you want a very consistent backlight, you can edge light a sheet of frosted acrylic for the letter. That will prevent any potential for hotspots.

[Defyant]

I was out in the shed modding and thought i'd have a qik shot!

 

Excuse the quality of the job.

 

Im kinda mixed on the result....  The light is EVEN as per OP's first question. Using a strip that runs the length of your plex sorts that.

Compared to "hard lighting" it dosnt compare. But you could say that for OEM cards as well.

 

 

More pics here    Defyant LED cover test

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[striker477]

Thanks for all the help guys, that looks like it turned out pretty good. What do you mean by your mixed on the result @Defyant ?

I got to looking at your modding page by the way you have some pretty sweet looking work there. 

[Defyant]

Cheers striker  Thats prolly a 3rd of my portfolio  ive just started moving it all over from extortion bucket

 

You cant get it as bright as i would like.. even to me that one you showed in your first post looks kinda "washed" out

 

Im working on a different type  layered / sandwiched gpu cover for more intense light....  Did you have to have "logo" or wording on your cover or did you just want a "light effect"?

[striker477]

I'm curious to see the rest looks like you have been doing this for quite some time. 

Yeah, it does look kinda washed out I would like for it to be brighter but was unsure how to achieve the desired result. I was wanting to led backlight some text on the side of my psu cover 

[Defyant]

PSU cover..... is there any room behind where the text will be? or will the plex panel sit flush against the psu?

[striker477]

On 9/17/2017 at 10:54 PM, Defyant said:

PSU cover..... is there any room behind where the text will be? or will the plex panel sit flush against the psu?

Sorry I have been gone on a company trip and just got back today. there will be a bit of clearance between the cover and the psu it should come out roughly 1/2"- 3/4" away from the psu. 

[striker477]

On 9/17/2017 at 9:55 PM, Defyant said:

Cheers striker  Thats prolly a 3rd of my portfolio  ive just started moving it all over from extortion bucket

 

You cant get it as bright as i would like.. even to me that one you showed in your first post looks kinda "washed" out

 

Im working on a different type  layered / sandwiched gpu cover for more intense light....  Did you have to have "logo" or wording on your cover or did you just want a "light effect"?

@Defyant Did you get a chance to finish your new layered cover, if so how did it turn out? 

[Defyant]

Heya mate

 

No just waiting to decide on a card for this next build,  Its the fans that will decide how i make it.

 

the idea is pretty simple i'll show you some shots that might help to explain.

 

The layer that sits closest to the heatsink of the gpu is custom cut. This is the new fan mounts

 

 

 

The the top is layered for the fans

 

 

 

 

Might get a shot at it this weekend

[striker477]

That's pretty awesome work @Defyant I'm curious if I put a layer of acrylic behind the text and put a led strip underneath it if I would achieve a similar effect or if it would be better to stick a sheet of vinyl or something behind it to reflect the light back to make it more concentrated. 

[Defyant]

I think that's why i asked how much room you had between the cover and psu.... so i could do a test build.

 

You wont get the same brightness as the recent posted pics will still be like the first ones i posted

[Defyant]

5 hours ago, striker477 said:

That's pretty awesome work @Defyant I'm curious if I put a layer of acrylic behind the text and put a led strip underneath it if I would achieve a similar effect or if it would be better to stick a sheet of vinyl or something behind it to reflect the light back to make it more concentrated. 

 

Concentrating the light is the key.

 

Check this out, using a chunk of plex some silver alloy tape the results are pretty impressive.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Even in direct fluro lights its impressive.

 

[striker477]

That does make a huge difference, I never thought of using silver alloy tape I will have to give that a shot thanks for all of your help.

[Defyant]

YW mate  glad i could help

 

 

[Defyant]

About half way thru this work log is a step by step guide how to make diffused lighting.

enjoy.

 

 

[striker477]

On 10/3/2017 at 11:21 PM, Defyant said:

About half way thru this work log is a step by step guide how to make diffused lighting.

enjoy.

 

 

1

That looks phenomenal you definitely do some sweet looking mods, thanks for the write-up. I will have to try the same method with mine, I was hoping to have it painted by now but due to rain every day this week that isn't going to happen. 

[Defyant]

TY mate GL with the weather keep us updated