Cold Cathodes (White)

[IronSight]

Hey guys, I recently ordered a cold cathode kid from FrozenCPU.com

Link:
http://www.frozencpu.com/cgi-bin/frozencpu/lit-24.html?id=agtWRu7Q

I have yet to receive them, but I was wondering if any of you can give me some tips on how to install these and anything you might want to add. I don't know too much about modding my PC, besides installing simple hardware and such. I have a large case with a window in the side and slits in the front, should make for a nice atmosphere.

Case visible here:
http://www.b-u-r-n-e.com/HEForums/files/desk.gif

Thanks in advance. :)
Iron

[Kurtis]

well, the easiest way would be to simply place the cathode on the right edge of the case close to the door. If it doesn't fit there, I would recommend standing it up and placing it in the front right corner of the case (tucked between the door hinge/rail thing, and the drive bays. To actually get it to stick, the cathode should come with a couple of little square double sided sticky things. If not, you can pick some up at Walmart or something.

That answer your question?

[IronSight]

Well, it's not as much placing the light in the case, as more of 'how do I connect it to the powersupply?'

:D But thanks for the placement advice :P

[Brian]

Well, you simply plug the cathode in to one of the 4-pin Molex connectors coming out of the power supply. Not quite sure what you mean. Do you mean the mounting of a switch to turn the cathode on/off?

[Kurtis]

Well, you simply plug the cathode in to one of the 4-pin Molex connectors coming out of the power supply. Not quite sure what you mean. Do you mean the mounting of a switch to turn the cathode on/off?

no, you don't plug right into a molex connector. you will receive an inverter with the cathode. You plug the cathode(s) into one side of the inverter, and a 4pin molex into the other end of it. once you receive the package it is extremely easy to figure out

[Brian]

The cathode comes with an inverter. He plugs the kit into a molex connection. There is no way he could plug a cathode tube directly into a 4-pin Molex.

[Kurtis]

The cathode comes with an inverter. He plugs the kit into a molex connection. There is no way he could plug a cathode tube directly into a 4-pin Molex.

that's precisely what i was pointing out :P

i don't think he realized that

[IronSight]

Okay, I was just making sure I know what I'm doing before fucking something up.

As for making a switch, I forgot about that option. Just splice an input line and route it to a SPST switch and back. I've done aircraft wiring, but there's manuals, so I'm not sure as to what value switch I would need, like 10V10W or something...

Whatever, just an option, I don't have to follow through with it although it would be an excellent option.

[Brian]

The cathode kit may come with a rocker switch, many do, but I can't be positive if yours does. If you do have to wire a switch, it will probably be on the yellow 12v line between the 4-pin Molex connection and the inverter, not the wires to the actual cathode tube. And don't worry about plugging it in, the connections are very different and it will be pretty obvious how it works once you get it and can look at it.

[IronSight]

Well, I'm still waiting on it, but once I get it, I'll see how much slack I have incase I want to install a switch and route it to the front of my case, within the door.

[IronSight]

I finally recieved my cathode, and it did come with a nice switch.

Sorry about the shitty quality of the pics, but I couldn't use the flash because my camera was out of batteries.

Here's what it looks like in my case:
http://www.b-u-r-n-e.com/HEForums/files/case.jpg
I love the way it fits with my setup, and all-in-all, i like it.

I'll take this cover to school tomorrow and cut that hole out for the switch with my die grinder.
http://www.b-u-r-n-e.com/HEForums/files/switch.jpg

Here's my lubly die grinder :)
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/OBJECTS/43600/43538.JPG

And here's the switch held in place currently with scotch tape:
http://www.b-u-r-n-e.com/HEForums/files/hole.jpg


I'll post the completed pictures tomorrow, or when I finish it.

[Dyrewolph]

how much did the die grinder set you back? (that looks handy... might go get me one of those)

[IronSight]

Well, if you've got shop air handy, it's definitely worth it. The only reason I have it is for work, not just for cutting a hole in the panel Plus, if you were to get one, you'd need an adaptor for a spot air hose and you'd need some drill bits, or sanding disks.

Canadian Price: http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/pro_det.asp?P65=yes&tool=all&item_ID=55523&group_ID=809&store=canada&dir=catalog

American: http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/pro_det.asp?tool=all&item_ID=55523&group_ID=809&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog


I'll get some pics of mine when I get the chance sometime this week.

[IronSight]

Here is the complete switch.

Yes, I'm sure this is pretty ammature to most of you, but it's really the only thing I've done lately, so, I figured I might as well share it.

http://www.b-u-r-n-e.com/HEForums/files/simple.jpg

And again, here's the full effect:

http://www.b-u-r-n-e.com/HEForums/files/dull.jpg

[Kurtis]

:shock: too... elite... 8)


:D gj bro, the switch looks like it was integrated pretty smoothly :)

[Brian]

Everybody starts somewhere. Nice placement. Looks better then just slapping it in the middle of the bay.

Good Job.

Next up: Paint that floppy drive! :-P Silver paint looks like crap but I think black might actually look good and follow along with the power and cathode buttons.

[EmoMakesMeCry]

looks really good dude. that's the same place i put the switch for my cathodes.

on the subject of painting drives, i'm planning on painting my two cd drives and my floppy drive but i really don't know where to start or how exactly i should do it. anybody got any links to some good instructions?

[Brian]

For painting plastic drive bezels, the best method is probably to use vinyl dye. You can find it in the automotive spray paint section of Walmart or at Autozone, etc.

Remove the bezel and clean it off real well. Then do several light layers of paint, letting it dry a bit between coats.

If you do it right, like me, it should turn out perfect and it will look like the plastic was colored that way and not painted. If you do it wrong, like Kurtis, you will probably throw your drive away :-P

[Kurtis]

For painting plastic drive bezels, the best method is probably to use vinyl dye. You can find it in the automotive spray paint section of Walmart or at Autozone, etc.

Remove the bezel and clean it off real well. Then do several light layers of paint, letting it dry a bit between coats.

If you do it right, like me, it should turn out perfect and it will look like the plastic was colored that way and not painted. If you do it wrong, like Kurtis, you will probably throw your drive away :-P

me? huh? what are you talking about? tee hee :lol:

[IronSight]

Yeah, I'd like to paint those drives, but, I think I'd end up doing it the wrong way, and besides, my floppy drive doesn't even work...

Windows says it's installed correctly, but anytime I slap a floppy in there, the drive doesn't see it. =\ Oh well

[Kurtis]

Yeah, I'd like to paint those drives, but, I think I'd end up doing it the wrong way, and besides, my floppy drive doesn't even work...

Windows says it's installed correctly, but anytime I slap a floppy in there, the drive doesn't see it. =\ Oh well

you probably need to change some settings in the BIOS, i have had that same problem with working floppies before

[IronSight]

Yeah, I don't even care about it. :P

[Dyrewolph]

If you do it right, like me, it should turn out perfect and it will look like the plastic was colored that way and not painted. If you do it wrong, like Kurtis, you will probably throw your drive away :-P

In other words... if you plan on modding and need advice... go talk to Brian if you want it to work... go talk to Kurtis if you want to try it again and again before you realise you needed to go and talk to Brian... :twisted:

I apologise now before Kurtis starts complaining at me.