Of fans and cables

[idolcrash]

I have a couple of fairly simple questions (I am pretty new to casemodding, but am thoroughly enjoying it already) for my computer.

My first involves using loom for wire management (for most of my wires, including my PSU's): do I need to remove the molex and use heat shrink, or can I just slip the loom (it is split and 3/8") on where needed as is?

My second question involves fans: I have two case fans that came with the case that have blue LEDs and three fans I bought (two are 80 mm Thermaltake Thunderblades, and the other is a 120 mm Thermaltake model A2018), are there any fairly simple ways to control the lights? A member here mentioned that LED lights tend to take away the effect of UV CCFLs (which will be in on Tuesday) and fluorescent effects from them. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[Designer]

1st question- If your using split loom, then you just slip it over the wiring and use cable ties to secure it. I use expandable overbraid myself (found in industrial electrical cabinets). Another alternative is to use spiral wrapping.

2nd question - If you want to be able to switch the fan LED's on and off, then you'll need to modify your fans slightly. What you'll need to do is disconect the fan motor wiring and connect this directly to a Molex connector, then connect the power for the LED's via a switch, you can use the same GND connection so that means you'll have a total of 3 wires going to each fan (not including the speed monitoring), If you like I could draw up a small diagram of how to do this

[idolcrash]

The diagram would be very helpful, if it isn't too much trouble. Thanks.

[Designer]

The diagram above will be the circuit built onto the fan before modifying it, the arrow bits are the symbols for LED's what you need to do is add a switch into the LED side of the circuit like in the diagram below:



With the switch added there it will control the LED's but leave the fan running permanently, youll probably need to disconnect the fan motor wiring from the circuit strip around the fan body, solder the wiring directly to the lead from the fan to the molex connector (so the motor wiring bypasses the little circuit strip) (you'll only need to do this with the + side of the circuit) the balck wire can be left as it already is. Then take the + wire from the circuit strip and connect it back to the + side of the molex connector wiring via a switch.

Hope this helps