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Power On Lights

Freis968

Freis968

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Mar 1, 2007
687
3
Ocoee, Florida
Anyone have any cosmetically friendly ways of dimming the lights on these items without taking a magic marker to them and without turning off the power supply?

These items are in my bedroom and I prefer "pitch blackness" so I can sleep and these three items put out enough light to make a rooster sound off!!!
 

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My external HD has an obnoxiously bright blue LED that shines out of the front of it. I took it apart and put some duct tape on the inside of where the light shines out. That would likely be impractical for your printer, but maybe for the time capsule and router...
 
Is there a need for the printer to be "on" at all times?

An old tech solution would be to place a timer on the power strip that supplies those devices, either the old table lamp ones, or perhaps a programmable X10 style controller.
 
You could look at this problem one of two ways:

1. Reduce the amount of light being emitted. This, in the very least, will involve a pair of wire clippers and either a rheostat or a potentiometer, soldering iron etc, depending on how things are wired. This will void your warranty but there's more geek cred here.

2. Reduce the amount of light that passes through the plastic bit before it exits the machine. You can do this one of a couple ways. Go buy some semi-opaque plastic folders. Kinda like this. But smokey black and flexible. Cut, scotch tape to the inside of the case, done. Or you could go buy some semi opaque lacquer for figurines at your local gaming joint, paint inside of case where the light shines through. Or just give the LED a thin layer.
 
MTI said:
Is there a need for the printer to be "on" at all times?

An old tech solution would be to place a timer on the power strip that supplies those devices, either the old table lamp ones, or perhaps a programmable X10 style controller.
Click to expand...

The printer turns itself off but that darn light remains on. I have everything plugged into a power strip, but I did not want to have to pull the dresser out each morning to turn it on and each night to turn it off.

aloofman said:
Duct tape.
Click to expand...

I knew I would get atleast one smart ass answer...:p

Signal-11 said:
You could look at this problem one of two ways:

1. Reduce the amount of light being emitted. This, in the very least, will involve a pair of wire clippers and either a rheostat or a potentiometer, soldering iron etc, depending on how things are wired. This will void your warranty but there's more geek cred here.

2. Reduce the amount of light that passes through the plastic bit before it exits the machine. You can do this one of a couple ways. Go buy some semi-opaque plastic folders. Kinda like this. But smokey black and flexible. Cut, scotch tape to the inside of the case, done. Or you could go buy some semi opaque lacquer for figurines at your local gaming joint, paint inside of case where the light shines through. Or just give the LED a thin layer.
Click to expand...

I think you offered some great advice there, thank you!
 
Freis968 said:
I knew I would get atleast one smart ass answer...:p
Click to expand...

I think he was being serious. I usually use this method.

The one thing in my room that really bothers me is my Pink Floyd "Pulse" album with the flashing red light on the front. I had to put some crap in front of it so I wouldn't see it at night.
 
My preferred method is to stick them inside cabinets or closets where possible. Has the secondary advantage of clearing up surface space. But... I hear you about how annoying these things can are.
 
I got a case of electric tape some time ago. It came in all sorts of colors (blue, red, black, green, yellow, white, grey, gold, and orange). I just pick the closest matching color and put a piece over the light source. I have some on my scanner, printer, speakers for my Mac, speakers for my TV, my TV, PS3, two external HDs, wireless router, modem, and my phone chargers.

It works well and is cheap.
 
For my speakers and other things that stay on and don't tell me anything important I stick over tiny pieces of black duct tape.

For monitor lights I use a small piece of white paper and put a tiny piece of transparent sticky tape over it. I can still see the LED but it's much dimmer than before.
 
Freis968 said:
The printer turns itself off but that darn light remains on. I have everything plugged into a power strip, but I did not want to have to pull the dresser out each morning to turn it on and each night to turn it off.
Click to expand...

You can get remote control power strips now. You wouldn't need to pull the dresser out every morning, you'd just be able to hit the power button on your remote and it would give power back.

Though it would depend on whether the remote would work if your socket is behind the dresser.
 
rhsgolfer33 said:
The one thing in my room that really bothers me is my Pink Floyd "Pulse" album with the flashing red light on the front. I had to put some crap in front of it so I wouldn't see it at night.
Click to expand...

That doggone light is still flashing? My brother bought that album and after a few years the light went out...also saw some in the used CD shop and notice they finally went out...incredible yours is still flashing.
 
I only have the one device (my MacBook) so I put it under the bed or in a box. Duct tape is a good idea though.
 
I don't think I've ever seen a thread revived twice. By the OP. Just responding to things people posted months before. Interesting.
 
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