Psu For Lights

Impr3ssiv3

Impr3ssiv3

New Member
i have this little light base thing that changes colors and i would like to add it my my case on the top back fan hole for just a little decoration. it just runs off of a regular 3x AAA batteries, with a red and black wire going to either ends of the batteries.


if i want to run this off of my power supply do i just hook the red wire to the red wire on the molex and the black wire to the black wire on the molex
 
I wouldn't suggest it, AAA batteries are about 1.2 volts, while the red wires are 5 volt cables. I'm not very experienced in electronics, but it doesn't seem like a very good idea.
 
hmm i am a little more experianced here, (i have electricuted myself MANY times)

DO NOT DO IT

unless you are absolutely sure of all the voltages, it is a very bad idea. it could short, the wire would become very hot, burn the rubber wire cover right off, then short out your psu.

on second thought, go right ahead...
 
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regular AAA's are 1.5 Volts, the rechargable ones are 1.2V.
anyway.. you could check how much ampere is running through one of the wires when the light is turned on.. When you know that Amperage, you know how much power the lights drain (and the resistance of it). and with that info, you can calculate a resistor value to put in front of the lights allowing you to put it onto the 5V rail, while still just 4.5V going through it.

however... I really doubt 5V would hurt the lights much... Im pretty sure it would just work fine. ( And yea, I do know a thing or 2 about it :) )
 
You said it runs offf 3X AAA batterys so that would come to a total of around 4.5V depending on if rechargeable or not....and the red wire of a PSU is +5v and the black one is 0V, as it is jus lights it doenst amatter about 0.5v, the lights wil jus appear a bit brighter so it will be ok to run the lights of the red and black wire of the PSU
 
Shido said:
You said it runs offf 3X AAA batterys so that would come to a total of around 4.5V depending on if rechargeable or not....and the red wire of a PSU is +5v and the black one is 0V, as it is jus lights it doenst amatter about 0.5v, the lights wil jus appear a bit brighter so it will be ok to run the lights of the red and black wire of the PSU
Click to expand...

My electronics are a little rusty, But I don't think voltages are additive, so no matter how many you had, they will still be 1.5 V
 
nope.. that would be if they are connected parrallel.. wich would hardly be the case. as for the rest,. like i said ;) :D
 
spacedude89 said:
My electronics are a little rusty, But I don't think voltages are additive, so no matter how many you had, they will still be 1.5 V
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You can attach them 2 ways, in parallel or in a series. Parallel will give you 1.5v, and extended lifetime, series will give you 4.5v.

I see no problem whatsoever with doing this. Just go for it, if it doesn't work, you lose a little color-changey thing and gain some knowledge.
 
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