Everyone knows that lED lightening As a decorative element, all sorts of lamps and neon lights have long been eclipsed. The diode unit is usually connected to the power stabilizer, which, in turn, takes energy from the outlet, converts it to the desired values \u200b\u200band directs straight into LEDs. A complex and confusing process, is not it? Someone can protest: "There is probably other methods of connecting the lamp, because if everything was so hard, the LEDs would not find such popularity that they boast now, because not every person wants to mess with this design , configure it and pay a lot of time to this process. " If you think so too, then you are right. Manufacturers have provided such a feature of behavior and invented a LED tape with a built-in USB seed.

USB LED tape

USB LED Tape - USB Speaker

Each at least charged the phone from the computer's USB port, because it is even more convenient if you compare with charging from the outlet. This fact shows that yusb contacts pass the current that can be applied to functioning diode light bulbs. The usual USB connector in modern devices version 2.0. It has 4 contacts, half of which serve to transfer data, and the other half is designed to power the connected electrical appliance.

Read more with a USB 2.0 pinout using this picture:

USB LED Tape - Operation Principle

The average stability of the USB connector loads is 500 mA by current and 5 volts voltage. Such parameters allow you to connect a whole strip from low-current LED bulbs to port.

The most important detail of the collected design is not the LED tape itself, as many people might have thought, and the USB connector, because without it, your device will remain a conventional illuminator, feeding the voltage from the outlet. The connector can be bought at any store of electric goods or use the old and unnecessary. Think carefully, you have, for example, charger From a broken phone that you do not use 3 years. Why it will lie without a case if you can transform your workplace. Calculate the length of the cable, taking into account the distance between the system unit and the place of installation of future lighting. If we are talking about stationary computers, an additional USB port is built in some keyboard models, which is perfect for the organization of diode illumination. If we are talking about a laptop, it goes without saying: the connector is also located on the side of the device.

USB LED Tape - Connection Scheme

To implement the connection of one LED, you need a response part of the USB connector, a two-housing cable, a resistor and a diode light bulb that can brightly shine (SMD5050 is perfect). If you bought a USB connector separately, disassemble it, free the inside on which the contacts are located to be easier to solder. Deciding with the LED Type, calculate the resistance of the resistor. This can be done with this formula: R \u003d (U PIT -U LED) / I LED, where:

• R - resistance;
• U Pit - supply voltage emanating from the USB connector;
• U LED - direct diode voltage, depending on the shade of illumination;
• I LED - nominal diode working current.

USB LED Tape Connection Scheme

After the calculation, it will only be left to solder all the necessary components among themselves and decorate the backlight, remove the tracks of the soldering, bring it into a normal look. First of all, you take the plump and shorten the plus output of the diode, then the resistor is soldered to this withdrawal. The next step will be a soldering of one wire to the free output of the resistor, and the second to the output of the diode with the marking "-". Under the heat shrink tube, hide the conclusions, resistors, installation sites and soldering. To make a decent appearance of the design, both cables near the LED light bulb are enveloped to the thermal tube, it is advisable to find a tube of a larger diameter than the wires. The terminals of the disassembled USB connector solder the connecting wire from the reverse side. The cable that comes from the resistors needs to be connected to the first + 5V terminal, and the cable that goes from the minus of the LED, - with the fourth GND terminal. After soldering, check that there are no closures with terminals at number 2 and 3 and collect the connector.

USB LED tape and where to apply it

USB LED tape. Many such a process seems difficult and difficult, so it is easier to choose another way. Power Supply stationary computer It gives the optimal voltage of 12 V, which is present on the 4-wired MEX connector inside system Block. You will need to purchase a retaliatory part of the peak with pins and attach to it and to the diode strip the power cable of the required size, which is displayed through the rear side of the system unit. Plus, the USB LED tape is connected to a yellow-colored milestone, and "minus" - with a free wire of black.

In this material, we present to your attention an overview of the most interesting idea of \u200b\u200bmaking a USB backlight for a laptop keyboard.

We need:
- adhesive gun;
- soldering iron;
- USB plug;
- cover from plastic bottle;
- tester;
- Light-emitting diode;
- Resistor per 100 ohms.

First of all, we take the tester and determine which resistor suits us for the manufacture of the backlight.

We take a USB plug. The first and fourth contact of the plug is a plus and minus. The second and third contacts are intended for data transmission. We start assembling.

We solder a resistor to a minus contact. The polarity of the resistor in this case does not matter.

Let us turn to the LED. Plus the LED is called an anode, and the minus - the cathode. On the new LEDs, the leg anode is longer than the legs of the cathode. If you use the LED, which is previously used, the polarity can be distinguished on a spinal skirt or crystal crib, which is on the cathode.

Shipping minus LED to the resistor.

The plus leg of the LED sold to the positive contact of the USB plug.

Insert the plug into the connector and check the assembly to work.

Put the label on the plug, bend the resistor and the LED in need the position, fill the cover from the plastic bottle with a thermoclaster and immerse the resistor with lED light bulb and plug to the label.

The backlight itself is ready. If desired, you can paint it with aerosol paint.

Connecting LEDs to USB and other computer connectors

The use of LEDs in modding is very popular due to the low complexity of their connection and a good receiving visual effect From their use. It is for this reason that your attention is proposed a practical guide on connecting LEDs in the computer. This guide is focused on modders, which are just beginning to apply LEDs in their modding projects and I will tell you about the three most popular ways. power connections To LEDs, depending on the connector: from 4-Pin Molex, from 3-Pin or from USB.

Necessary:To perform this gweid on connecting LEDs We will need the following things:

• LEDs. Here everything is clear, we actually be connected.)
• Resistors. We are necessary to reduce voltage and current from the power source to the values \u200b\u200brequired by the LED connected.
• Connectors. They will be connected to power sources in the computer.
• Soldering iron with everything you need for soldering.
• Heat-shrink tubing. It will be needed to ensure neat external view and the safety of the paired connection.
• Multimeter (tester). To check the voltages and integrity of the compounds.
• Locks and / or blade. To remove isolation and work with wires.

As can be seen from the list of the above, no complex, expensive or cunning devices for the fulfillment of this khida will not need. Yes, and the Operation on connecting LEDs is also no particular difficulty. Switch to detailed description different ways Connecting LEDs in the computer. Connecting the LED to the 4-PIN Molex4-Pin connector Molex is one of the most common power connectors in the computer. It is with the help of Molex connectors that was previously connected (and now in old models) hard disks and optical drives. Also, using Molex connectors, part of the fans and most computer accessories, such as control panels, backlight lamps, and the like devices are connected. As can be seen from his name, 4-Pin Molex Contains four contacts: + 12 In (usually this yellow wire), + 5 In (usually it is a red wire), as well as two contacts of the Earth (black wires). Accordingly, when connecting the LED to 4-Pin Molex, you have the opportunity to choose where exactly connect the LEDs, namely to 12 or 5 volt.

In our case, I will connect four-crystal 10mm green glow LEDwhich works from 3.2 Volt and consumes 80 mA to the source of 12 volts. We will need a resistor with resistance in 120 Ohm. Connector itself 4-Pin Molex You can either buy separately, or use the connector taken from something old / unnecessary device, such as extension cord, splitter or adapter.

Before connecting the LED, it is advisable to pre-check the multimeter compliance with the selected contacts, as well as determine where is the LED positive (plus) and negative (minus) contacts. After that, it is necessary to clean the wires that come from the Molex connector and solder a resistor to a positive contact, without forgetting to close the paved connection with a heat shrink tube. After that, to another contact of the resistor, it is necessary to solder a positive contact of the LED also closing the place of the soldering of the heat shrink. The negative contact of the LED is soldered to the "Earth" contact at the Molex connector, the place of the soldering is once again closed with a shrink tube. Now everything is ready and you can safely connect the LED to the power to check its performance. Check - everything works!

Connecting LED to 3-PIN connector

Connector 3-PIN. It is a standard connector for connecting fans in a computer and quite often they remain unnecessary, respectively, you can connect the LED. So sometimes they do when installing the Waterblocks with transparent caps on the processor, because the need to connect the fan processor Cooler No longer, and pull the wire to connect the LED from somewhere not hunting from afar - you can use the 3-PIN connector. The described method of connecting LEDs practices, for example, thermaltake with its processor waterblocks that have a transparent lid. As it is clear from his name, the 3-PIN connector has three contacts: + 12 V, Earth, as well as the third contact, which is the contact of the fan rotation speed sensor.

In our case, to the connector 3-Pin I will connect 10mm red LEDwhich works from 2.3 volts and consumes 50 mA to a 12 volt source. To connect the LED - We will need a resistor with resistance in 220 O.m. How should you already be clear to connect the LED we will use two contacts, namely +12 V and Earth. It is worth remembering that 3-pin connectors are designed to connect fans, so they are better do not load muchHowever, several watts of additional load problems will not be created, and they are enough for the LEDs with a margin. 3-Pin connectors can either buy or use a connector taken from some old / unnecessary device, such as a fan, extension, adapter or splitter.

Before connecting the LED to the connector 3-PIN. It is advisable to additionally pre-check the multimeter compliance with the selected contacts, as well as determine where the LED has a positive (plus) and negative (minus) contacts. Now it is necessary to clean the wires that go from the 3-PIN connector and solder the resistor to a positive contact, closing the paved connection with a shrink tube for better appearance and safety. To the second contact of the resistor, you need to evaporate the positive contact of the LED and also close the place of the soldering of the heat shrink. The negative contact of the LED is soldered to the "Earth" contact at the 3-PIN connector, and once again the place of the soldering is closed by a shrink tube. Now everything is ready, you can safely connect the 3-PIN connector to the power to check the performance of the LED. Check - everything, as expected, works!

Connecting the LED to the USB connector

For those who do not know, USB is a data transfer interface for peripheral devicesHowever, in addition to the data in uSB connector transmits and voltage to power different devices. To be accurate, four contacts are located in the USB connector: two contacts are responsible for data transfer and two more - for meals. The USB connector is available in the voltage source 5 V with current up to 500 mA. USB connectors are rarely found on sale separately, so it will be the easiest to buy a USB cable or take a cable unnecessary to you from some device. Full-size USB connectors are two types, which differ in size: USB Type A - 4 x 12 mmUSB Type B - 7 x 8 MMV Differences are only in the form, in the point of view of accessible contacts they are the same. In my case, I used a USB extension with USB connectors type a.

After the USB backlight purchased in the keyboard is broken on the first day of use, I decided to make my own. To do this, you will need:
1) USB plug on type A nest
2) LED
3) Resistor
4) telephone cable TRP
5) soldering iron, solder, rosin
6) scissors or knife
7) Proven tool (pliers)

USB plug We will need to feed meals from USB output. There are several types of USB outputs, most computers use the type A. Type of these outputs can be viewed or. I bought a USB plug in the store, because he looked like this:

To a white thing on the side that will be inside, you need to solder telephone wires.
Pre-from the cable you need to cut off a piece of cable you need the length, then cut in half (the cable is two-housing) and clean from excess insulation. The edges of the resulting wires should be cleaned from the insulation completely, gently cut through the insulation to the wire around it and removing. Then, one wire should be trimmed by 1-1.5 centimeters - a resistor will be soldered to it. Sliced \u200b\u200bends of the wires solder to extreme pins of the USB plug, these are feeding outputs, medium pins closure with each other with a small solder lump, these are differential informational outputs.
In order to solder, you need to preheat the soldering iron, turning it on the network, then (after 10-15 minutes) melt a bit of rosin, then solder, pick up a solder drop to a soldering iron and apply to the previously soldered surfaces.
To test the multimeter in the call mode, whether you were not closed "extra" pins - closed only PIN 2 C 3. By the links above, you should also view the polarity of Pins, and mark the wires from both ends so that you can clearly Where there is a positive potential where negative.
Then we insert a white piece in the piece of iron, plug by the second piece, the pliers crimp the location of the wires so that the USB plug cannot be gaining.
Light-emitting diode I bought in the store. I would choose a bright or ultrayar LED, the light of the light is at least 5 Kande. Color to your taste, I chose blue. We should remember and note the parameters of LEDs, such as their operating voltage and current. The LED should be connected taking into account the polarity - the cathode to the positive potential, the anode to the negative. View polarity in this picture: As can be seen, a shorter output is a cathode, a long - anode. You can also look at the light as facing the lights in the LED, compare with the picture and find out the polarity.
Select a resistor. The resistor performs a very important role - it limits the current so that the LED is not burned. The voltage on USB output is standard and stable (independent of current) - 5 volts, the current may vary from 0 to 500 milliam. In theory, if the LED has a working voltage U, then we need the remaining voltage 5-U to fall on the resistor, and the current was working for the LED (we connect the LED sequentially to USB output). So to connect an LED with an operating voltage U<5В и током I<500мА нужен ограничивающий резистор номиналом (5-U) / I. For example, my LED consumes 3.5 V and 0.02 mA, which means I took the resistor on (5-3.5) /0.02\u003d75 Ohm. However, specifically, such a resistor in the store may not be - then it is necessary to take the first resistor, close to the nominal to settlement, but more so that the current of the LED does not exceed the nominal and the LED has not burned. Of course, you should not take, for example, 100 Ohm instead of 75, it is desirable that the resistance deviation does not exceed 10% of the calculated one. And do not take ceramic resistors instead of ordinary - they are very overall.
If you have old resistors, you can draw their nominal with a multimeter, or try to determine the range of color labels - with this table:
So, after soldering the resistor to the short end of the wire, and the switching of the LED (with the observance of polarity) can be connected to USB backlight. If the LED began to shine - it means everything is fine, if he did not catch fire, he was very hot and a member of Gary appeared after some time - it means you mixed up the polarity and the LED burned down. If the LED does not burn, and the smell of Gary is not, then, most likely, you closed the informational PIN with power, or did not block them between themselves - you can reveal the plug and repaid again.
As a result, it turns out this design:



The cost of this design was only 29 rubles, given the costs of details without taking into account the costs of transport parts, buying a toolkit.
In the dark, shines not bad (7 Candell), the eyes do not blind, but the letters on the keyboard can be seen.

Tags: electronics, love

Probably, the situation is all familiar when you have to work for a laptop (typing text, or process other information) in the dark, and it is impossible to include light for one reason or another.

Certray to this misfortune will help you with your own hands. laptop keyboard illumination. It will be able to make it without exaggeration, everyone who is at least a little familiar with electronics, and can hold a soldering iron in his hands. So, less words, it's time for business.

To work, we will need with you: soldering supplies, resistor resistance of 820 ohms, ferrite ring (you can take from any motherboard, or a computer power supply unit), a little cross, a shrink tube, a thick wire, any NPN transistor, in my case kt3102, bright White luminescence LEDs, you can use standard round. And it is possible not just the LEDs, as in my case. I had a broken matrix from a laptop, and I used a part of the backlight ribbon from it.

Let's start the manufacture with the fact that we wrap the transformer (if you can call it) on the ferrite ring. To do this, it is necessary to evenly put on the entire perimeter of the ring 18 - 22 turns of the wire. You need to wind with two wires at the same time, it is better to take wires with a different color insulation. In the end, it turns out something similar to it:

Next, connect the end of the white wire with the beginning of blue. This spike will connect a plus USB connector. The beginning of the white wire through the resistor (it is necessary, otherwise the transistor will warm up, and the transformer whistles and will not work) with the transistor base. By the way, the transistor base, if you look at it not from the cut slicer, the emitter base collector. Collector connect with the end of the blue wire. Later to the issuer will connect minus from the USB connector. The LED line is connected by a plus to the collector minus to the issuer. The device of this homemade lighting device is simply clear, so I do not apply the scheme.

All nuances are visible and understandable from the photo. Other declarations about the design of this homemade - laptop keyboard backlighting Inappropriate. Each design and design will work for itself. Based on the materials available. Do not limit your fantasy.