tribaloverkill
New Member
Hi. I'm new here and new to this whole making of electronic "stuff". I have this little project I'm trying to get underway. Basically, I want to wire up some UV LEDs for the inside of my computer. The only thing is that I want them to flicker along with the HDD LED. I know I just can't wire a string of LEDs right to the HDD jumper. I'm pretty sure I need a relay with a secondary power source. I want to wire a 3-way switch also that will allow me to turn them off, on, and strobe. I know how to wire everything. I just dont know what to use. I don't know jack about power ratings and stuff like that so I need some help. First,... some stuff I do know. My PC has a 500w PSU with +3.3VDC@28A, +5VDC@30A, +12VDC@34A. The HDD jumper when active gives off ~1.9V@.0 - .1A. I went to Radio Shack and picked up some stuff. I don't know if I can use them but I got them to get the info off the back that I don't understand. I got a 3-way and a 2-way switch. The both have the same ratings, "Rated 10A@125VAC, 6A@250VAC". Can I run the power from my PSU through this? I dont know how to calculate the rating in VDC if I even have to. I think I can but I am not sure. I also got a 12VDC Reed Relay that is normally open. Some info on that,... "Voltage:12VDC, Coil Resistance: 1050 ohms, Contact rating:1A@125VAC, Nominal Current: 11mA". what does all that mean? I think the voltage is what operates the relay or closes it. Contact rating is how much power I can run to it or through it once the relay is closed. Nominal Current is the power thats eaten up by the relay? Is any of that right? How do I know what the equiv for the A@VAC?!?!? Am I using the right relay for the job? I need a realy that can keep up with the HDD jumper and will live for some time and not die out. Thanks.