LEDs shining through the fron panel over the controller ports mod - Help needed

I want to do this mod:

If any of you have done this mod how did you drill through the . .. ... .... marks above the controller ports?

I was going to use a Dremel but I don't think there are any attachments as thin as the . mark.

I don't want to overdrill and place LEDs through - I want a backlit effect.

Any help would be great - Thanks

Originally posted by nonzero
I was going to use a Dremel but I don't think there are any attachments as thin as the . mark.

Actually, there are.

Dremel drill bits come as small as 1/32" (0.8 mm) which is about 1/3rd the size of the . marks. You can get it in a 4 pack, dremel #660. You'll also need collet #483 to use it.

The 1/32" bit also comes in their 7 bit assortment kit #628.

Available pretty much everywhere dremel tools & bits are sold.

Thanks for that detailed reply.

I'd use this, http://www.radioshack.com/product.as...uct_id=64-2963

just take the front panel off as you will need to to install the leds, then use a small drill bit to clear the holes.
To install leds place them at the sides of the holes (I used 1 led for port, 1 led for port 2, 2 leds for port 3 and 2 leds for port 4 for even lighting)
To make it light up the hole run a smooth strip of hot glue over the back side of the holes, when you run it across let the glue kinda fall on the holde dont put any preddure and it will make some what of a cleaner look. That will difuse the light and help make it nice and even

http://www.duey2k.com/gallery/displa...?album=3&pos=5

I haven't done the . .. ... .... drill hole mod, but i have done this:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...e/PtFront1.jpg
Not my picture, but I have done it with green LEDs and it looks the same, except green.

Here are the solder points i used. When you unclip the front panel down, you will see this on the back of the panel:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...ade/points.jpg
you want these 2 points:
the top part of the : is 3V i believe, and the bottom part of the : is GND, and all you have to do is connect wires to the LEDs, flex the shape so that when u connect it, the light will shine where u want it to, then connect the wires to those points, then flex some more.... takes a LOT of trial and error, it took me a half a day to get it done... but that's only because I suck at soldering.. I finally learned how to push solder into joins correctly though =)

Here are more resources:
http://www.int03.co.uk/crema/hardwar...gc-control.htm
http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/148151

Oh ya, one more thing, i made the LEDs shine light into the ports from the sides, not from the top or bottom, it's brighter from the sides.

Is this mod compatible with the 'TGZ Wavebird internal receiver mod'?

Bump* Can anyone answer me pls?

here is how i did mine: ive covered the top part of the controller receptacle with black electrical tape so that it wont blend with the upper white LEDS.

to drill the holes ive used a very small drill bit, i dont know the exact size though.

the led in the bottom is the wavebird activity led.

That looks amazing!

I'm going to try that when Christmas is there

Wingnut - Did you run wires to the back of the pcb? Are the LEDS alright to be ran off the same port? Did you change the resistors?

Cheers

all LEDs are powered by tapping at the fan connector pcb (under the pin header connector) I didnt bother connecting to the controllers pcb. I was under the impression that the voltage output would be more stable in that location as opposed to the controller pcb. (I may be wrong though)

for resitors, take a look at the LED calculator and schematic/wiring diagram.
(attachments)

the bottom white I used for the wavebird activity, I took out the SMD LED and replaced it ith a 3mm white i dint use any resistors there.

hope this helps.