Hey guys and girls I hope

I have external hard drive enclosure which lights up in blue, but I would like to change LED bulb so it lights up red. I have no idea which bulb I need, but I know its a 3 pin led. http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/9057/dsc00621ni.jpg
Sousing from : http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/2880/dsc006302.jpg

Could you please advise me how to change this Tri-colour LED to work in RED, or alternative red LED.

I can get voltmeter to measure ΔV, λ etc, if you tell me how to operate it.


PS. I am a TOTAL noob in electronics! Although I will be able to use a solder!

 

It's likely a two color LED, with one lead
being a common (-) and the other two being
it's anodes (+), one for each color. I would
not suggest tying the two anodes together
because this may cause problems with the
internal circuitry that's driving the LEDs.
Maybe, when the LED comes on, take your
meter to the pins to figure out which pin is
positive (and which is negative) and hook up
a normal two pin RED LED to those pins (take
your measurement with the most active LED
being lit or when the blue one lights up.

 

Does it light up in one color to indicate power on and another color to indicate drive activity?

If it's a red/blue LED, and it lights blue and flashes red (may look purple when the blue is lit) during drive activity, you may be able to switch the red and blue wires. Then the red will indicate power and the blue drive activity.

 

Thanks for replies guys!
The LED is always blue (see through with no power ON), it constantly flashes, being a small flash even when HD is inactive and stronger, brighter flash, when HD is spinning, being used

 

3 Pins just means it's a multi colour LED?

 

But then it wouldn't flash when HD is active, not fun!

 

He could use a flashing red LED !



Also, you say the LED flashes at two
different rates/intensities? Maybe that's
why there are two pins?? It may be two
different flasher chips in the same LED...

I would suggest determining the anode
of the LED/flasher you want to be red, and
hook up an LED there (don't forget cathode)
but then you'll lose the other one's "actvity".
I would go for the "when active" lead !

 

You could replace the 3-pin LED with two 2-pin LEDs of the desired colors. Chances are one will be a power indicator and the other the HD active indicator.