Blue LED DIMMABLE Strips

[TVwazhere]

*Edit* This project is for a friend who lives far away

 

I've seen a few like the NZXT 2m sleeved led cable but the LED spacing is very large and doesnt look as good as a strip. Sadly I'm not using an Asus motherboard or any motherboard with an RGB header either. I dont care about how it's powered or how it's dimmed, it just need to be dimmed as this PC is going into a bed room. I saw one from Darkside strips but they're not linkable and theyre not very used. I'm considering using an RGB strip as a VERY LAST RESORT but I want to ponder my other options (build is a blue theme after all) Price is not an obstical.

 

SOLVED SOLUTION:

Molex to DC barrel -> 

Barrel SINGLE LED dimmer controller ->

Barrel to 4 Pin adaptor ->

Into Cablemod LED strips/ 4 pin single color strip

 

[Aaronius_Leonius]

https://www.nzxt.com/products/lighting-kit

[Oscargot]

Quote

https://www.nzxt.com/products/lighting-kit

This is the same one as he said he had discounted, however I'd like to mention that I have the equivalent of this strip in white, if you were worried about the light being too patchy, look at mine and see if you think it's too patchy or not (this is on full brightness, btw). I think it's fine but each to his own:

 

Spoiler

Sorry about the reflections, just snapped this quickly and I'm too lazy to take another

 

[Guest]

18 minutes ago, TVwazhere said:

I've seen a few like the NZXT 2m sleeved led cable but the LED spacing is very large and doesnt look as good as a strip. Sadly I'm not using an Asus motherboard or any motherboard with an RGB header either. I dont care about how it's powered or how it's dimmed, it just need to be dimmed as this PC is going into a bed room. I saw one from Darkside strips but they're not linkable and theyre not very used. I'm considering using an RGB strip as a VERY LAST RESORT but I want to ponder my other options (build is a blue theme after all) Price is not an obstical.

soldering? 
https://www.nzxt.com/product-overview/hue-plus-features
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Mini-RF-Wireless-Remote-Led-Dimmer-Controller-For-Single-Color-Led-Strip-Light-SMD5630-SMD5050-SMD3528/32658761275.html

something like that would work even though the controller says white.

[Spuriae]

Why the aversion to an RGB strip? It's probably cheaper to go the full RGB route than to find a rarer single-color controller, especially since single color strips are usually unterminated, so you'd have to crimp connectors yourself.

 

You can use an adapter like this to power the LED's from your PSU, then plug a normal remote-controlled RGB strip in.

[TVwazhere]

51 minutes ago, Oscargot said:

This is the same one as he said he had discounted, however I'd like to mention that I have the equivalent of this strip in white, if you were worried about the light being too patchy, look at mine and see if you think it's too patchy or not (this is on full brightness, btw). I think it's fine but each to his own:

 

I mean it definitely works, but the lighting doesnt feel even to me and feels patchy. Plus this build isnt for me, and I've always been taught when you do a job for someone else you make it sure its to the absolute best of your ability. Thought like you said, everyone has their own personal tastes, but my person in mind is very aesthetic driven who also suffers from a bit of OCD. Do you have any issues with the controller being too close to your Mobo btw? I've seen alot of posts about that.

43 minutes ago, lolimpol said:

soldering? 
https://www.nzxt.com/product-overview/hue-plus-features
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Mini-RF-Wireless-Remote-Led-Dimmer-Controller-For-Single-Color-Led-Strip-Light-SMD5630-SMD5050-SMD3528/32658761275.html

something like that would work even though the controller says white.

I'd rather a full kit that didn't need to be created together (Ironically this is all going in a s340 elite case) so I might go with the Hue +, though it seems overkill. Also I'm not the absolute best with soldering. Plus I should mention this is for a friend very far away so if something happens I wont be able to fix it... Id rather use that as my very last resort (the last resort after an expensive rgb system )

33 minutes ago, Nimrodor said:

Why the aversion to an RGB strip? It's probably cheaper to go the full RGB route than to find a rarer single-color controller, especially since single color strips are usually unterminated, so you'd have to crimp connectors yourself.

 

You can use an adapter like this to power the LED's from your PSU, then plug a normal remote-controlled RGB strip in.

Just because I figured it would be more expensive that way. Figured I didnt need to pay for functionality I'd never use.

[TVwazhere]

1 hour ago, lolimpol said:

soldering? 
https://www.nzxt.com/product-overview/hue-plus-features
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Mini-RF-Wireless-Remote-Led-Dimmer-Controller-For-Single-Color-Led-Strip-Light-SMD5630-SMD5050-SMD3528/32658761275.html

something like that would work even though the controller says white.

Wait, how does the remote work? I see it would work with the adapter mentioned just after this comment but it doesnt split into the normal four pin LED strip connector I'm seeing on many other solutions, unless this would go into a DIY board

[Spuriae]

5 minutes ago, TVwazhere said:

Wait, how does the remote work? I see it would work with the adapter mentioned just after this comment but it doesnt split into the normal four pin LED strip connector I'm seeing on many other solutions, unless this would go into a DIY board

The problem is that single color strips are usually unterminated; to use that controller, you'd need to crimp your own barrel receptacle to the ends (or find a terminated strip, though I don't know where to get one of those cheaply). RGB strips use a standard 4 pin connector (even some aftermarket standards like NZXT Hue use the same pinout), so you can get a controller like this and plug a strip in.

[TVwazhere]

2 minutes ago, Nimrodor said:

get a controller like this 

Now I'm really liking this! 

So this (sata to barrel)

To this (though it says RGB on it but it doesnt have color changing options? AS long as it works for jsut one color thats what I care about)

And then my choice of 4 pin strip (kinda leaning towards cablemod, maybe 2 60cm to go the full length around the edge of the s340)

[Spuriae]

1 minute ago, TVwazhere said:

Now I'm really liking this! 

So this (sata to barrel)

To this (though it says RGB on it but it doesnt have color changing options? AS long as it works for jsut one color thats what I care about)

And then my choice of 4 pin strip (kinda leaning towards cablemod, maybe 2 60cm to go the full length around the edge of the s340)

There's a +-color button that lets you cycle through predetermined colors, and I'd be very surprised if blue wasn't one of those. There are also things like bluetooth and wifi controllers if you want more control over color and brightness. IR controls are cheap and plentiful as well, though I'm not sure I'd recommend them in a case where line of sight might not be there.

[Guest]

46 minutes ago, TVwazhere said:

Wait, how does the remote work? I see it would work with the adapter mentioned just after this comment but it doesnt split into the normal four pin LED strip connector I'm seeing on many other solutions, unless this would go into a DIY board

RF, no IR. power goes in, pixies come out. that's all.

[Guest]

19 minutes ago, TVwazhere said:

Now I'm really liking this! 

So this (sata to barrel)

To this (though it says RGB on it but it doesnt have color changing options? AS long as it works for jsut one color thats what I care about)

And then my choice of 4 pin strip (kinda leaning towards cablemod, maybe 2 60cm to go the full length around the edge of the s340)

use this instead for blue strips:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Mini-RF-Wireless-Remote-Led-Dimmer-Controller-For-Single-Color-Led-Strip-Light-SMD5630-SMD5050-SMD3528/32658761275.html

[TVwazhere]

2 minutes ago, lolimpol said:

use this instead for blue strips:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Mini-RF-Wireless-Remote-Led-Dimmer-Controller-For-Single-Color-Led-Strip-Light-SMD5630-SMD5050-SMD3528/32658761275.html

Im gonna need one of these black converter cables correct? Where would I get that?

[Guest]

9 minutes ago, TVwazhere said:

Im gonna need one of these black converter cables correct? Where would I get that?

yes: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/10mm-LED-Strip-Female-DC-Power-Plug-Suitable-for-5050-and-5630-led-strip-Freeshipping/1015682183.html

[TVwazhere]

7 minutes ago, lolimpol said:

yes: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/10mm-LED-Strip-Female-DC-Power-Plug-Suitable-for-5050-and-5630-led-strip-Freeshipping/1015682183.html

Hmm, is there a 4 pin option? or is that only available for the RGB version? What blue strips would work (and be good quality)

[Guest]

Just now, TVwazhere said:

Hmm, is there a 4 pin option? or is that only available for the RGB version? What blue strips would work (and be good quality)

for one color you only need two pins, all 4 pin controller have the right connectors already. all 5050 smd blue strips will pretty much work(12V though)

[TVwazhere]

4 minutes ago, lolimpol said:

for one color you only need two pins, all 4 pin controller have the right connectors already. all 5050 smd blue strips will pretty much work(12V though)

Well the four pin controllers would work with most PC specific strips correct? Like Cablemod

[Oscargot]

2 hours ago, TVwazhere said:

Do you have any issues with the controller being too close to your Mobo btw? I've seen alot of posts about that.

Can't say I do, I have it installed along a conventional PCI slot and it lines up to where a card would be along the slot so I don't see any issue with it.

 

2 hours ago, TVwazhere said:

Thought like you said, everyone has their own personal tastes, but my person in mind is very aesthetic driven who also suffers from a bit of OCD

Aye.

[Guest]

36 minutes ago, TVwazhere said:

Well the four pin controllers would work with most PC specific strips correct? Like Cablemod

yippiaye.

[TVwazhere]

22 minutes ago, lolimpol said:

yippiaye.

Then in that case I should use one of the RGB varieties even though I'm not using the other colors?

[Guest]

Just now, TVwazhere said:

Then in that case I should use one of the RGB varieties even though I'm not using the other colors?

nah get a blue strip, much cheaper

[TVwazhere]

Just now, lolimpol said:

nah get a blue strip, much cheaper

I mean use the 4 pin RGB controller with a blue PC specific strip, instead of the single color controller that converts to two pin for generic LED strips

[Guest]

Just now, TVwazhere said:

I mean use the 4 pin RGB controller with a blue PC specific strip, instead of the single color controller that converts to two pin for generic LED strips

but then the colour buttons wouldn't do anything that wouldn't look good.

[TVwazhere]

12 minutes ago, lolimpol said:

but then the colour buttons wouldn't do anything that wouldn't look good.

The color buttons dont have to do anything as long as the blue color works. And these pieces look just like what cablemod provides in their kit which is good.

[TVwazhere]

On 3/1/2017 at 4:41 PM, lolimpol said:

 

So, I'm back.

 

I bought the one you told me not to buy. It functioned, as in it powered the LED's and nothing else sadly. No dim, no fade, couldnt even turn off the lights. Bummer, but not a big deal it was only $2

 

I do have the molex to barrel adapter though. And I've seen a version of the controller that just has wires , which Im thinking with an adapter I could get the power, and then try using this 4 pin to singles that I just found tonight and play around with this and see if it works, since i only need 2 out of 4 wires. Maybe I'll have more luck with the Cable mod wires. What do you think? Is this a sound idea, or "if it didnt work with the 4 pin RGB header it probably wont work"?