3 Simple Ways to
Share What You Make

With Instructables you can share what you make with the world — and tap into an ever-growing community of creative experts.

PhotosPhotos

Share one or more photos of a project, recipe, or whatever you've made, quickly and easily.

Get Started

Learn more & Get Tips

Step by StepStep-By-Step

Share your step-by-step photos with text instructions of what you made so others can do it too!

Get Started

Learn more & Get Tips

VideoVideo

Share your how-to video. You'll need your embed code from a video site such as YouTube.

Get Started

Learn more & Get Tips

Print PDF

Favorite

Awesome LED Computer Mod

last photo ←

I am putting this in a computer mod I am making.

Yeah, It's not finished, the panels aren't actually glued down and I don't have a circuit for it yet, but I thought I'd let you guys preview its awesomeness.

Hmm, I just realized I glued the red LED on the wrong side on the top.

64 comments

1-40 of 64

Nov 2, 2011. 4:31 PMH20Lighter says:

When are you going to come out with the instructions to make this?

Aug 27, 2011. 1:35 PMhaji110 says:

very nice :))

Feb 25, 2011. 1:20 PM

acidbass says:

would this be for a laptop?

Dec 20, 2008. 4:06 PMShamrock63 says:

have you thought of using a tricolor led? not the ones that go through a loop, but the actual 3 annode and 1 cathode leds? it sure would save a little space, though it would mean more programming/switches =/

Dec 20, 2010. 8:53 PMkool1zero says:

no more programming than this would take, just connect the anode leads from each individual LED to the corresponding color anode leads on the tricolor LED and the cathode is common between them, all you'd need to do is figure out appropriate resistor values.

in my diagrams i have dimmers (rheostats) for each individual color and a master dimmer, determine appropriate values for each and you have two leds done, same would work with more, but i got tired of paint.

Feb 11, 2009. 12:54 AMBellerophon says:

Can you give me a bit more info on this as I love the project but sounds like this might improve on it. My electronic expert score is -2/10, so go easy. If you have an URL to show that would be great. THX

Dec 20, 2010. 8:30 PMkool1zero says:

http://www.sparkfun.com/products/105

Apr 3, 2009. 10:02 AMInstructoguy12125 says:

could you power this by a usb port instead of batteries?

Apr 10, 2009. 11:33 AMN1CK4ND0 says:

Indeed you could, but then there would be a cord running out of it. So it would be less portable, but wouldn't run out of charge.

Dec 20, 2010. 8:27 PMkool1zero says:

perhaps rechargeable batteries via USB?

Oct 31, 2010. 7:45 PMThe nerdling says:

how do you make it?

Jan 23, 2010. 7:45 PMitsachen says:

The last picture in the slideshow looks like theres some piece of paper on the plexiglass. Is it to add to the effect?

Jun 30, 2010. 11:00 PMGAMERkid88 says:

I believe he used it to defuse the light more evenly.

Mar 4, 2010. 10:47 PMtinkerman92 says:

very creative way to adapt the led cube to a pc case

Aug 26, 2008. 8:43 PMJakeNikolas says:

I would like to see someone make one where the light travels. maybe all starting in the center and traveling to the edges.

May 27, 2009. 7:45 AMDivideByZero says:

You'd probably need a lot of LEDs, and some kind of processing unit to switch them on and off at the same time. It is possible though

Sep 13, 2009. 6:01 PMswitchpaw says:

or the right set up with a couple of capacitors. that way the capacitors have to "fill" with electricity before they will light up. it produces a flashing system. only problem is that they require more power, leds, and space.

May 29, 2009. 5:10 PMsk8erdude says:

Like an Arduino or PICAXE microcontroller? or something?

May 31, 2009. 10:34 AMmattyh says:

you could maybe mount a spiral shaped cutout on a well geared motor and as this revolved it would have that kind of effect. This would be more suited to square panel and the corners would be a bit problematic.

Jun 13, 2009. 12:22 PMDivideByZero says:

Mmm I guess. I think it would depend on whether you wanted a specific lighting pattern or a more random lighting scheme. I suppose your idea would look good with different coloured or RGB LEDs.

Jun 23, 2009. 1:32 AMCybot Rules says:

Or maybe if u place a mirroring on the edges and spin a couple of led it reflects back into the plastic?

Jul 18, 2009. 5:57 AMEx Marine says:

if it fails you'll get a good effect anyway

Jul 19, 2009. 2:55 AMCybot Rules says:

yeah true

Jun 27, 2009. 6:03 AMDivideByZero says:

I'm not sure. You can try, I guess. I myself have not been able to try this, as I don't have the resources or the time.

Aug 19, 2009. 6:13 PMOnyxxStone says:

i swear to god this dude or female is so freakin awesome

Sep 13, 2009. 12:53 AMninjaknow says:

u mean dudette

Aug 26, 2009. 10:10 AM_Scratch_ says:

could you possibly use a thin EL wire to light it?

Jul 5, 2009. 4:22 AMFridge Gnome says:

I wonder if this could be used on a xbox, does the usb on it give any power?

Jul 18, 2009. 5:59 AMEx Marine says:

its usually the red wire that gives of power and the black is usually the ground (green and yellow transfer data)

Jul 18, 2009. 5:55 AMEx Marine says:

yes all USB based connections will give out 5v

Jul 7, 2009. 1:47 PMsquirrelMLM says:

*cries* Thats...so...friggin...awesome

Jun 27, 2009. 11:39 AMMaladroit.android says:

Very Tron. Very awesome. Looking forward to seeing your completed instructable.

Jun 27, 2009. 3:45 AMhapman9 says:

How much is a very bright LED (cheapest if possible) and where can I get em`

Jun 1, 2009. 10:05 AMdeathupontheright says:

you no you could do some cutting and pasting with the wires in side the computer if you really wanted to its not hard at all

May 26, 2009. 12:00 PMblckthng says:

Im truly in love with this.....

May 11, 2009. 10:33 PMDakwa says:

This may sound stupid but are you using diffused LEDs or are those just normal and the camera is making them look weird? (Side note I was going build one of these but use an old bike tire to wrap around the edges to hide wiring and to make it slip free.) (Another side note its also going to be USB powered and have 3 switches for Red Green and Blue)

Apr 10, 2009. 11:32 AMN1CK4ND0 says:

I got a green LED of newegg for like 3 bucks, really bright, I'm going to engrave a little alien on my case and shine this LED on it so it gives it a glowing effect.

Apr 7, 2009. 9:45 PMeyebot117 says:

.....That's very interesting. Hmm... I like it. I think I should apply this effect to my portable xbox 360 laptop project.... I'd have to CNC stencil-cut the metal case, but it 'd be worth it...I'll make sure you get aknowledgement for that in my project... Cool.