How does one dim the Antec P150 case LED's?

Sejin · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Posts: 12

While this isnt quiet related, I know alot of you are like me and dont care for your case to light up to bright and prefer a more low profile appearance.

I have been trying to search for an answer to this question, particularly what resistor specs I should look for to dim the blue front panel leds (power mainly, and the hdd activity also) on the antec p150 case by about 70-80%. I want to still be able to see the light, just not from space. Since I dont know anything about the specs on the two led's, finding the information I need has been troublesome.

If anyone has done something like this to their p150 or anything else I would really appreciate your input on what parts to pick up to get my desired affect, thanks in advance.

Sejin

unibomber51 · Joined: 21 Jan 2006 Posts: 73

the easy way to do it is to put a piece of paper right over it. if that's too dim then try wax paper. crude but it works.

Ralf Hutter · Posted: Sun Nov 05, 2006 7:39 am Post subject:

I used a black "Sharpie" marking pen on the front of the light, and wrapped the sides of the tube in electrical tape.
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tango charlie · Joined: 18 Sep 2005 Posts: 35

Ooh, I was wondering this too. I think I'll try that Sharpie trick. Thanks!

RAFH · Joined: 16 Sep 2006 Posts: 129 Location: Kahaluu, Hawaii

I have the same question and posted it somewhere.

I got a couple answers about soldering resistors and such as well as the paper and Sharpie offerings. If I can figure out where I posted it I'll get back to you on the resistors.

I don't get the designers, this is a really annoying aspect of almost all LED installations. I guess the notion is someone wearing lead glasses or blind or on the moon might not see the LED so best to make it as bright as is possible.

They could tone it down 90% or even more and it would still be effective. Its not like we need to read by it.
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Chocolinx · Joined: 19 Jan 2006 Posts: 311 Location: Toronto

Personally I just unplug them. LEDs are so useless <.<

hravn · Joined: 25 Sep 2005 Posts: 198 Location: Stockholm, Sweden

lm · Posted: Mon Nov 06, 2006 2:09 am Post subject:

Who cares if hdd led is blinking or not, just unplug it. Same goes for the power led. Mine are behind the front bezel anyway.
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Ryan · Joined: 14 Oct 2005 Posts: 130

I personally need the led's on (otherwise i don't know if my pc is on), but at night it's pretty annoying. So I just added a switch into the circuit.
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Wraith · Joined: 27 Dec 2003 Posts: 139 Location: Minnesota

On my center Logitech speaker, I cut out a piece from the sticky part of a post-it to cover the way-too-bright blue LED. Works great and I can still see whether it's on or off.
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lm · Posted: Thu Nov 09, 2006 3:38 pm Post subject:

jhhoffma · Joined: 25 Apr 2005 Posts: 2014 Location: Grand Rapids, MI

You can solder some resistors in line with the LED to dim it down. If you look on the OrigenAE forums for the X11 LED, it has a pretty good description of how to do it. I think it involved some 470Ohm or 700Ohm resistors (I got mine at Radioshack). Worked quite well on my X11 Power LED.
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Ender17 · Joined: 01 Feb 2005 Posts: 78

Saribro · Joined: 09 Aug 2006 Posts: 33

Ralf Hutter · Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2007 6:43 am Post subject:

I wrapped a piece of black electrical tape around the outside of the clear plastic tube, and gave the front of the tube a coat of Sharpie ink. I get zero light radiating out from the sides now, and just a bit from the front.
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fphredd · Joined: 26 Feb 2008 Posts: 20 Location: usa

jhhoffma · Joined: 25 Apr 2005 Posts: 2014 Location: Grand Rapids, MI

That's the problem with resurrecting a dead thread, some of the info isn't valid anymore. About a month after I made that post, OrigenAE took their forums offline and redesigned their website. They don't have a forum anymore, which is lame, as their was more info there than in their entire website.

The steps are very easy if you've ever soldered before, just snip the leads, add a 470Ohm resistor in series and solder back together and it'll reduce the brightness by about 1/2.
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fphredd · Joined: 26 Feb 2008 Posts: 20 Location: usa

Even I can do that...thanks!
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xboxhaxorz · Joined: 02 Mar 2008 Posts: 18 Location: USA

annoying i know, probably a marker, otherwise resistors will require more work

oldabelincoln · Joined: 02 Aug 2003 Posts: 139 Location: Silicon Valley

No marker or soldering needed.

Just take a piece of ordinary white inkjet or laser printer plain paper or regular writing paper of almost any sort, and just slip it between the bezel and the LED. Tape it in place with the tape of your choice.

1. Open the bezel
2. tape paper over offending LED or cut paper to shape or wedge it in. Just get a sheet of paper over the LED somehow.
3. Close bezel.
4. Declare victory to the gentle blue glow of a tamed LED.
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