A bit strange, this but perhaps someone has an idea or two.

I've just installed a rackmount KVM at home. Very nice, far better than
the old Belkin one.

It has a green power indicator LED on the front panel which is FAR too
bright! The rack almost faces my desk, and it's dazzling.

I could just stick insulation tape over it but I'd rather just dim it
down a bit. I don't want to open the thing up, so any ideas? Semi opaque
tape perhaps (suggestions?)

--
My posts are my copyright and if @diy_forums or Home Owners' Hub
wish to copy them they can pay me £30a message.
Use the BIG mirror service in the UK: http://www.mirrorservice.org
*lightning surge protection* - a w_tom conductor

Bob Eager wrote:

It has a green power indicator LED on the front panel which is FAR too
bright! The rack almost faces my desk, and it's dazzling.

I could just stick insulation tape over it but I'd rather just dim it
down a bit. I don't want to open the thing up, so any ideas? Semi opaque
tape perhaps (suggestions?)

drop of varnish or nail polish

neutral density filter

bit of metallised Mylar film from a anti-static bag

On 05/07/2014 21:05, Bob Eager wrote:
A bit strange, this but perhaps someone has an idea or two.

I've just installed a rackmount KVM at home. Very nice, far better than
the old Belkin one.

It has a green power indicator LED on the front panel which is FAR too
bright! The rack almost faces my desk, and it's dazzling.

I could just stick insulation tape over it but I'd rather just dim it
down a bit. I don't want to open the thing up, so any ideas? Semi opaque
tape perhaps (suggestions?)

Similar situation with our router - that got a blob of white Blu Tack
slapped over it. Our cable modem got a light card "hat" that covers all
the excessively bright lights. Most other things, like electric
toothbrushes recharging, get the Blu Tack treatment. There always seems
to be plenty of light spread through the plastic layer to be able to see
whether the light is on or off - sometimes can't remember which light is
which, but that is another matter.

Have you tried Synergy or mouse without borders?

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/m.../hh771098.aspx

--
Rod

On Saturday, July 5, 2014 9:05:32 PM UTC+1, Bob Eager wrote:
I could just stick insulation tape over it but I'd rather just dim it
down a bit. I don't want to open the thing up, so any ideas? Semi opaque
tape perhaps (suggestions?)

coloured sweetie paper.

Owain

On 05/07/14 21:05, Bob Eager wrote:
A bit strange, this but perhaps someone has an idea or two.

I've just installed a rackmount KVM at home. Very nice, far better than
the old Belkin one.

It has a green power indicator LED on the front panel which is FAR too
bright! The rack almost faces my desk, and it's dazzling.

I could just stick insulation tape over it but I'd rather just dim it
down a bit. I don't want to open the thing up, so any ideas? Semi opaque
tape perhaps (suggestions?)

fine brush and dab of paint?


--
Ineptocracy

(in-ep-toc-ra-cy) €“ a system of government where the least capable to
lead are elected by the least capable of producing, and where the
members of society least likely to sustain themselves or succeed, are
rewarded with goods and services paid for by the confiscated wealth of a
diminishing number of producers.

On 5 Jul 2014 20:05:32 GMT, Bob Eager wrote:

A bit strange, this but perhaps someone has an idea or two.

I've just installed a rackmount KVM at home. Very nice, far better than
the old Belkin one.

It has a green power indicator LED on the front panel which is FAR too
bright! The rack almost faces my desk, and it's dazzling.

I could just stick insulation tape over it but I'd rather just dim it
down a bit. I don't want to open the thing up, so any ideas? Semi opaque
tape perhaps (suggestions?)


IKWYM Bob
D-Link by day

https://flic.kr/p/oby9rf

D-Link by night

https://flic.kr/p/odAgVB

It makes a good nightlight for my grandson, apart from the flicker.

Do the LEDs shine through the plastic like my switch, or to they poke
through holes.

If the former then take it apart and put a layer or two of paper
between the case and the PCB.

--

Graham.

%Profound_observation%

On Sat, 05 Jul 2014 23:21:12 +0100, Graham. wrote:

On 5 Jul 2014 20:05:32 GMT, Bob Eager wrote:

A bit strange, this but perhaps someone has an idea or two.

I've just installed a rackmount KVM at home. Very nice, far better than
the old Belkin one.

It has a green power indicator LED on the front panel which is FAR too
bright! The rack almost faces my desk, and it's dazzling.

I could just stick insulation tape over it but I'd rather just dim it
down a bit. I don't want to open the thing up, so any ideas? Semi opaque
tape perhaps (suggestions?)


IKWYM Bob D-Link by day

https://flic.kr/p/oby9rf

D-Link by night

https://flic.kr/p/odAgVB

It makes a good nightlight for my grandson, apart from the flicker.

Do the LEDs shine through the plastic like my switch, or to they poke
through holes.

If the former then take it apart and put a layer or two of paper between
the case and the PCB.

Unfortunately, as I said, this is rack mounted. And I really don't want
to take it apart.

I fixed it with the Blu-tack - nothing else needed. I liked the sweet
paper and anti static plastic ideas but then you need to fix them on. The
Blu-Tack is all you need.

(Incidentally, it's a quite nice Aten KVM. I use nothing else these days
but all the others I have are the desktop models)

I like my HP switches - you can actually choose (via the web interface)
how bright the LEDs are!

Thanks everyone.



--
My posts are my copyright and if @diy_forums or Home Owners' Hub
wish to copy them they can pay me £30a message.
Use the BIG mirror service in the UK: http://www.mirrorservice.org
*lightning surge protection* - a w_tom conductor

On Sat, 05 Jul 2014 23:21:12 +0100, Graham. wrote:

On 5 Jul 2014 20:05:32 GMT, Bob Eager wrote:

A bit strange, this but perhaps someone has an idea or two.

I've just installed a rackmount KVM at home. Very nice, far better than
the old Belkin one.

It has a green power indicator LED on the front panel which is FAR too
bright! The rack almost faces my desk, and it's dazzling.

I could just stick insulation tape over it but I'd rather just dim it
down a bit. I don't want to open the thing up, so any ideas? Semi opaque
tape perhaps (suggestions?)


IKWYM Bob D-Link by day

https://flic.kr/p/oby9rf

D-Link by night

https://flic.kr/p/odAgVB

It makes a good nightlight for my grandson, apart from the flicker.

Do the LEDs shine through the plastic like my switch, or to they poke
through holes.

If the former then take it apart and put a layer or two of paper between
the case and the PCB.

Unfortunately, as I said, this is rack mounted. And I really don't want
to take it apart.

I fixed it with the Blu-tack - nothing else needed. I liked the sweet
paper and anti static plastic ideas but then you need to fix them on. The
Blu-Tack is all you need.

(Incidentally, it's a quite nice Aten KVM. I use nothing else these days
but all the others I have are the desktop models)

I like my HP switches - you can actually choose (via the web interface)
how bright the LEDs are!

Thanks everyone.



--
My posts are my copyright and if @diy_forums or Home Owners' Hub
wish to copy them they can pay me £30a message.
Use the BIG mirror service in the UK: http://www.mirrorservice.org
*lightning surge protection* - a w_tom conductor

On Sat, 05 Jul 2014 23:21:12 +0100, Graham. wrote:

On 5 Jul 2014 20:05:32 GMT, Bob Eager wrote:

A bit strange, this but perhaps someone has an idea or two.

I've just installed a rackmount KVM at home. Very nice, far better than
the old Belkin one.

It has a green power indicator LED on the front panel which is FAR too
bright! The rack almost faces my desk, and it's dazzling.

I could just stick insulation tape over it but I'd rather just dim it
down a bit. I don't want to open the thing up, so any ideas? Semi opaque
tape perhaps (suggestions?)


IKWYM Bob D-Link by day

https://flic.kr/p/oby9rf

D-Link by night

https://flic.kr/p/odAgVB

It makes a good nightlight for my grandson, apart from the flicker.

Do the LEDs shine through the plastic like my switch, or to they poke
through holes.

If the former then take it apart and put a layer or two of paper between
the case and the PCB.

Unfortunately, as I said, this is rack mounted. And I really don't want
to take it apart.

I fixed it with the Blu-tack - nothing else needed. I liked the sweet
paper and anti static plastic ideas but then you need to fix them on. The
Blu-Tack is all you need.

(Incidentally, it's a quite nice Aten KVM. I use nothing else these days
but all the others I have are the desktop models)

I like my HP switches - you can actually choose (via the web interface)
how bright the LEDs are!

Thanks everyone.



--
My posts are my copyright and if @diy_forums or Home Owners' Hub
wish to copy them they can pay me £30a message.
Use the BIG mirror service in the UK: http://www.mirrorservice.org
*lightning surge protection* - a w_tom conductor

On Sat, 05 Jul 2014 23:21:12 +0100, Graham. wrote:

On 5 Jul 2014 20:05:32 GMT, Bob Eager wrote:

A bit strange, this but perhaps someone has an idea or two.

I've just installed a rackmount KVM at home. Very nice, far better than
the old Belkin one.

It has a green power indicator LED on the front panel which is FAR too
bright! The rack almost faces my desk, and it's dazzling.

I could just stick insulation tape over it but I'd rather just dim it
down a bit. I don't want to open the thing up, so any ideas? Semi opaque
tape perhaps (suggestions?)


IKWYM Bob D-Link by day

https://flic.kr/p/oby9rf

D-Link by night

https://flic.kr/p/odAgVB

It makes a good nightlight for my grandson, apart from the flicker.

Do the LEDs shine through the plastic like my switch, or to they poke
through holes.

If the former then take it apart and put a layer or two of paper between
the case and the PCB.

Unfortunately, as I said, this is rack mounted. And I really don't want
to take it apart.

I fixed it with the Blu-tack - nothing else needed. I liked the sweet
paper and anti static plastic ideas but then you need to fix them on. The
Blu-Tack is all you need.

(Incidentally, it's a quite nice Aten KVM. I use nothing else these days
but all the others I have are the desktop models)

I like my HP switches - you can actually choose (via the web interface)
how bright the LEDs are!

Thanks everyone.



--
My posts are my copyright and if @diy_forums or Home Owners' Hub
wish to copy them they can pay me £30a message.
Use the BIG mirror service in the UK: http://www.mirrorservice.org
*lightning surge protection* - a w_tom conductor

On Sat, 05 Jul 2014 23:21:12 +0100, Graham. wrote:

On 5 Jul 2014 20:05:32 GMT, Bob Eager wrote:

A bit strange, this but perhaps someone has an idea or two.

I've just installed a rackmount KVM at home. Very nice, far better than
the old Belkin one.

It has a green power indicator LED on the front panel which is FAR too
bright! The rack almost faces my desk, and it's dazzling.

I could just stick insulation tape over it but I'd rather just dim it
down a bit. I don't want to open the thing up, so any ideas? Semi opaque
tape perhaps (suggestions?)


IKWYM Bob D-Link by day

https://flic.kr/p/oby9rf

D-Link by night

https://flic.kr/p/odAgVB

It makes a good nightlight for my grandson, apart from the flicker.

Do the LEDs shine through the plastic like my switch, or to they poke
through holes.

If the former then take it apart and put a layer or two of paper between
the case and the PCB.

Unfortunately, as I said, this is rack mounted. And I really don't want
to take it apart.

I fixed it with the Blu-tack - nothing else needed. I liked the sweet
paper and anti static plastic ideas but then you need to fix them on. The
Blu-Tack is all you need.

(Incidentally, it's a quite nice Aten KVM. I use nothing else these days
but all the others I have are the desktop models)

I like my HP switches - you can actually choose (via the web interface)
how bright the LEDs are!

Thanks everyone.



--
My posts are my copyright and if @diy_forums or Home Owners' Hub
wish to copy them they can pay me £30a message.
Use the BIG mirror service in the UK: http://www.mirrorservice.org
*lightning surge protection* - a w_tom conductor

On Sat, 05 Jul 2014 23:21:12 +0100, Graham. wrote:

On 5 Jul 2014 20:05:32 GMT, Bob Eager wrote:

A bit strange, this but perhaps someone has an idea or two.

I've just installed a rackmount KVM at home. Very nice, far better than
the old Belkin one.

It has a green power indicator LED on the front panel which is FAR too
bright! The rack almost faces my desk, and it's dazzling.

I could just stick insulation tape over it but I'd rather just dim it
down a bit. I don't want to open the thing up, so any ideas? Semi opaque
tape perhaps (suggestions?)


IKWYM Bob D-Link by day

https://flic.kr/p/oby9rf

D-Link by night

https://flic.kr/p/odAgVB

It makes a good nightlight for my grandson, apart from the flicker.

Do the LEDs shine through the plastic like my switch, or to they poke
through holes.

If the former then take it apart and put a layer or two of paper between
the case and the PCB.

Unfortunately, as I said, this is rack mounted. And I really don't want
to take it apart.

I fixed it with the Blu-tack - nothing else needed. I liked the sweet
paper and anti static plastic ideas but then you need to fix them on. The
Blu-Tack is all you need.

(Incidentally, it's a quite nice Aten KVM. I use nothing else these days
but all the others I have are the desktop models)

I like my HP switches - you can actually choose (via the web interface)
how bright the LEDs are!

Thanks everyone.



--
My posts are my copyright and if @diy_forums or Home Owners' Hub
wish to copy them they can pay me £30a message.
Use the BIG mirror service in the UK: http://www.mirrorservice.org
*lightning surge protection* - a w_tom conductor

On Sat, 05 Jul 2014 23:21:12 +0100, Graham. wrote:

On 5 Jul 2014 20:05:32 GMT, Bob Eager wrote:

A bit strange, this but perhaps someone has an idea or two.

I've just installed a rackmount KVM at home. Very nice, far better than
the old Belkin one.

It has a green power indicator LED on the front panel which is FAR too
bright! The rack almost faces my desk, and it's dazzling.

I could just stick insulation tape over it but I'd rather just dim it
down a bit. I don't want to open the thing up, so any ideas? Semi opaque
tape perhaps (suggestions?)


IKWYM Bob D-Link by day

https://flic.kr/p/oby9rf

D-Link by night

https://flic.kr/p/odAgVB

It makes a good nightlight for my grandson, apart from the flicker.

Do the LEDs shine through the plastic like my switch, or to they poke
through holes.

If the former then take it apart and put a layer or two of paper between
the case and the PCB.

Unfortunately, as I said, this is rack mounted. And I really don't want
to take it apart.

I fixed it with the Blu-tack - nothing else needed. I liked the sweet
paper and anti static plastic ideas but then you need to fix them on. The
Blu-Tack is all you need.

(Incidentally, it's a quite nice Aten KVM. I use nothing else these days
but all the others I have are the desktop models)

I like my HP switches - you can actually choose (via the web interface)
how bright the LEDs are!

Thanks everyone.



--
My posts are my copyright and if @diy_forums or Home Owners' Hub
wish to copy them they can pay me £30a message.
Use the BIG mirror service in the UK: http://www.mirrorservice.org
*lightning surge protection* - a w_tom conductor

On Sat, 05 Jul 2014 23:21:12 +0100, Graham. wrote:

On 5 Jul 2014 20:05:32 GMT, Bob Eager wrote:

A bit strange, this but perhaps someone has an idea or two.

I've just installed a rackmount KVM at home. Very nice, far better than
the old Belkin one.

It has a green power indicator LED on the front panel which is FAR too
bright! The rack almost faces my desk, and it's dazzling.

I could just stick insulation tape over it but I'd rather just dim it
down a bit. I don't want to open the thing up, so any ideas? Semi opaque
tape perhaps (suggestions?)


IKWYM Bob D-Link by day

https://flic.kr/p/oby9rf

D-Link by night

https://flic.kr/p/odAgVB

It makes a good nightlight for my grandson, apart from the flicker.

Do the LEDs shine through the plastic like my switch, or to they poke
through holes.

If the former then take it apart and put a layer or two of paper between
the case and the PCB.

Unfortunately, as I said, this is rack mounted. And I really don't want
to take it apart.

I fixed it with the Blu-tack - nothing else needed. I liked the sweet
paper and anti static plastic ideas but then you need to fix them on. The
Blu-Tack is all you need.

(Incidentally, it's a quite nice Aten KVM. I use nothing else these days
but all the others I have are the desktop models)

I like my HP switches - you can actually choose (via the web interface)
how bright the LEDs are!

Thanks everyone.



--
My posts are my copyright and if @diy_forums or Home Owners' Hub
wish to copy them they can pay me £30a message.
Use the BIG mirror service in the UK: http://www.mirrorservice.org
*lightning surge protection* - a w_tom conductor

On Sat, 05 Jul 2014 23:21:12 +0100, Graham. wrote:

On 5 Jul 2014 20:05:32 GMT, Bob Eager wrote:

A bit strange, this but perhaps someone has an idea or two.

I've just installed a rackmount KVM at home. Very nice, far better than
the old Belkin one.

It has a green power indicator LED on the front panel which is FAR too
bright! The rack almost faces my desk, and it's dazzling.

I could just stick insulation tape over it but I'd rather just dim it
down a bit. I don't want to open the thing up, so any ideas? Semi opaque
tape perhaps (suggestions?)


IKWYM Bob D-Link by day

https://flic.kr/p/oby9rf

D-Link by night

https://flic.kr/p/odAgVB

It makes a good nightlight for my grandson, apart from the flicker.

Do the LEDs shine through the plastic like my switch, or to they poke
through holes.

If the former then take it apart and put a layer or two of paper between
the case and the PCB.

Unfortunately, as I said, this is rack mounted. And I really don't want
to take it apart.

I fixed it with the Blu-tack - nothing else needed. I liked the sweet
paper and anti static plastic ideas but then you need to fix them on. The
Blu-Tack is all you need.

(Incidentally, it's a quite nice Aten KVM. I use nothing else these days
but all the others I have are the desktop models)

I like my HP switches - you can actually choose (via the web interface)
how bright the LEDs are!

Thanks everyone.



--
My posts are my copyright and if @diy_forums or Home Owners' Hub
wish to copy them they can pay me £30a message.
Use the BIG mirror service in the UK: http://www.mirrorservice.org
*lightning surge protection* - a w_tom conductor

On 5 Jul 2014 23:03:37 GMT, Bob Eager wrote:

Nine times ... What happened?

--
Cheers
Dave.

On Sun, 06 Jul 2014 00:23:42 +0100, Dave Liquorice wrote:

On 5 Jul 2014 23:03:37 GMT, Bob Eager wrote:

Nine times ... What happened?

Some very starnge problems. I changed the firewall machine today and it
seems very sensitive to MTU value. I was seeing all sorts of 'stuck'
stuff and then I thought about MTU. Tweaked it and clearly the Usenet
client had queued up all the attempts (unknown to me) and let them go all
at once!

--
My posts are my copyright and if @diy_forums or Home Owners' Hub
wish to copy them they can pay me £30a message.
Use the BIG mirror service in the UK: http://www.mirrorservice.org
*lightning surge protection* - a w_tom conductor

On 5 Jul 2014 23:03:37 GMT, Bob Eager wrote:

On Sat, 05 Jul 2014 23:21:12 +0100, Graham. wrote:

On 5 Jul 2014 20:05:32 GMT, Bob Eager wrote:

A bit strange, this but perhaps someone has an idea or two.

I've just installed a rackmount KVM at home. Very nice, far better than
the old Belkin one.

It has a green power indicator LED on the front panel which is FAR too
bright! The rack almost faces my desk, and it's dazzling.

I could just stick insulation tape over it but I'd rather just dim it
down a bit. I don't want to open the thing up, so any ideas? Semi opaque
tape perhaps (suggestions?)


IKWYM Bob D-Link by day

https://flic.kr/p/oby9rf

D-Link by night

https://flic.kr/p/odAgVB

It makes a good nightlight for my grandson, apart from the flicker.

Do the LEDs shine through the plastic like my switch, or to they poke
through holes.

If the former then take it apart and put a layer or two of paper between
the case and the PCB.

Unfortunately, as I said, this is rack mounted. And I really don't want
to take it apart.

I fixed it with the Blu-tack - nothing else needed. I liked the sweet
paper and anti static plastic ideas but then you need to fix them on. The
Blu-Tack is all you need.

(Incidentally, it's a quite nice Aten KVM. I use nothing else these days
but all the others I have are the desktop models)

I like my HP switches - you can actually choose (via the web interface)
how bright the LEDs are!

Thanks everyone.

I'll see your HP, switch and raise you this Netgear router.

https://flic.kr/p/ofqpYB

The dome LEDs serve absolutely no useful purpose.

--

Graham.

%Profound_observation%

On 06/07/2014 00:36, Bob Eager wrote:
On Sun, 06 Jul 2014 00:23:42 +0100, Dave Liquorice wrote:

On 5 Jul 2014 23:03:37 GMT, Bob Eager wrote:

Nine times ... What happened?

Some very starnge problems. I changed the firewall machine today and it
seems very sensitive to MTU value. I was seeing all sorts of 'stuck'
stuff and then I thought about MTU. Tweaked it and clearly the Usenet
client had queued up all the attempts (unknown to me) and let them go all
at once!

Given your KVM is an Aten, I was waiting for the next repeated message. :-)

--
Rod

Bob Eager wrote:

Incidentally, it's a quite nice Aten KVM. I use nothing else these days
but all the others I have are the desktop models

I've had one for some time (4 port DVI/USB model) but it seems to object
to certain combinations of keyboard and O/S - or rather I suspect
Win7/Win8 object to certain keyboards when connected via the KVM.

[re-sent due to post not showing on giganews immediately after posting,
which sometimes happens, but still not arrived at google groups this
morning, apologies if it's a dupe elsewhere].

On 06/07/2014 00:03, Bob Eager wrote:
(Incidentally, it's a quite nice Aten KVM. I use nothing else these days
but all the others I have are the desktop models)

We are probably going to switch to having a row of monitors, keyboards
and mice because KVMs keep causing problems. Too much cabling, monitors
not getting properly detected and set up during boot if not the selected
computer, need to reboot KVM at random intervals.

Hopefully we will get wireless keyboards and mice so much reduced cabling.

--
Rod

On Sun, 06 Jul 2014 09:21:41 +0100, Andy Burns wrote:

Bob Eager wrote:

Incidentally, it's a quite nice Aten KVM. I use nothing else these days
but all the others I have are the desktop models

I've had one for some time (4 port DVI/USB model) but it seems to object
to certain combinations of keyboard and O/S - or rather I suspect
Win7/Win8 object to certain keyboards when connected via the KVM.

I changed to Aten because I was having problems like that! I particularly
had problems with three KVMs, all of which were 2 way and had Win 7 on
one side and FreeBSD on the other. All three use ancient Model M
keyboards.

At least it's easy to upgrade the firmware!



--
My posts are my copyright and if @diy_forums or Home Owners' Hub
wish to copy them they can pay me £30a message.
Use the BIG mirror service in the UK: http://www.mirrorservice.org
*lightning surge protection* - a w_tom conductor

Bob Eager wrote:

Andy Burns wrote:

I suspect Win7/Win8 object to certain keyboards when connected via
the KVM.

I changed to Aten because I was having problems like that! I particularly
had problems with three KVMs, all of which were 2 way and had Win 7 on
one side and FreeBSD on the other. All three use ancient Model M
keyboards.

My problem started with a Dell keyboard with integrated smartcard reader.

At least it's easy to upgrade the firmware!

Mine's about 9 years old (CS1764 not even the A version), no firmware
published on the website other than what it arrived with, I did contact
them and they gave me a non-published link to a slightly newer version
which didn't fix the issue, I've gone back to a Model M keyboard but at
the moment it's plugged direct into the docking station.

On 05/07/2014 21:05, Bob Eager wrote:
A bit strange, this but perhaps someone has an idea or two.

I've just installed a rackmount KVM at home. Very nice, far better than
the old Belkin one.

It has a green power indicator LED on the front panel which is FAR too
bright! The rack almost faces my desk, and it's dazzling.

I could just stick insulation tape over it but I'd rather just dim it
down a bit. I don't want to open the thing up, so any ideas? Semi opaque
tape perhaps (suggestions?)


Permanent ink pen (for writing on CDs etc.)

I toned down a blue LED by inking over with a red pen


--
mailto:news{at}admac(dot}myzen{dot}co{dot}uk

In article ,
Bob Eager wrote:
A bit strange, this but perhaps someone has an idea or two.

I've just installed a rackmount KVM at home. Very nice, far better than
the old Belkin one.

It has a green power indicator LED on the front panel which is FAR too
bright! The rack almost faces my desk, and it's dazzling.

I could just stick insulation tape over it but I'd rather just dim it
down a bit. I don't want to open the thing up, so any ideas? Semi opaque
tape perhaps (suggestions?)

If you have a sign maker nearby, and offcut of black perspex? Depending on
thickness it will let some light through.

--
*Gravity is a myth, the earth sucks *

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

On 2014-07-05, Bob Eager wrote:

A bit strange, this but perhaps someone has an idea or two.

I've just installed a rackmount KVM at home. Very nice, far better than
the old Belkin one.

It has a green power indicator LED on the front panel which is FAR too
bright! The rack almost faces my desk, and it's dazzling.

I could just stick insulation tape over it but I'd rather just dim it
down a bit. I don't want to open the thing up, so any ideas? Semi opaque
tape perhaps (suggestions?)

Masking tape?

On Sun, 06 Jul 2014 21:48:34 +0100, Adam Funk wrote:

On 2014-07-05, Bob Eager wrote:

A bit strange, this but perhaps someone has an idea or two.

I've just installed a rackmount KVM at home. Very nice, far better than
the old Belkin one.

It has a green power indicator LED on the front panel which is FAR too
bright! The rack almost faces my desk, and it's dazzling.

I could just stick insulation tape over it but I'd rather just dim it
down a bit. I don't want to open the thing up, so any ideas? Semi
opaque tape perhaps (suggestions?)

Masking tape?

Yes, SWMBO mentioned that just a few hours ago. Will give it a go
although the Blu-Tack seems to work pretty well (but not pretty,
actually).

Nail varnish was suggested too.



--
My posts are my copyright and if @diy_forums or Home Owners' Hub
wish to copy them they can pay me £30a message.
Use the BIG mirror service in the UK: http://www.mirrorservice.org
*lightning surge protection* - a w_tom conductor

On 06/07/2014 22:15, Bob Eager wrote:
Yes, SWMBO mentioned that just a few hours ago. Will give it a go
although the Blu-Tack seems to work pretty well (but not pretty,
actually).

Bloomin' customers - always changing the specs. :-) You want pretty as
well as functional? Put a Swarovski crytal onto the Blue Tack.

--
Rod

On Sun, 06 Jul 2014 18:58:06 +0100, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:

In article ,
Bob Eager wrote:
A bit strange, this but perhaps someone has an idea or two.

I've just installed a rackmount KVM at home. Very nice, far better than
the old Belkin one.

It has a green power indicator LED on the front panel which is FAR too
bright! The rack almost faces my desk, and it's dazzling.

I could just stick insulation tape over it but I'd rather just dim it
down a bit. I don't want to open the thing up, so any ideas? Semi
opaque tape perhaps (suggestions?)

If you have a sign maker nearby, and offcut of black perspex? Depending
on thickness it will let some light through.

I'm wondering if I have a scrap around somewhere.



--
My posts are my copyright and if @diy_forums or Home Owners' Hub
wish to copy them they can pay me £30a message.
Use the BIG mirror service in the UK: http://www.mirrorservice.org
*lightning surge protection* - a w_tom conductor

On Sun, 06 Jul 2014 18:33:10 +0100, alan wrote:

I toned down a blue LED by inking over with a red pen

Why do makers have thse indicator LEDS so bright? On the little (two
thumb size) wireless keyboard they are so bright it makes it hard to
see the keys. Bought a NAS enclosure LED on that lit the room up at
night, attacked it with snips and aditional series resistor. Don't
know what value I ended up at but the current was 50 uA (micro amps)
and it was still a bit bright. The thing would glow dimly if you just
lighly touched the wires with dry fingers.

--
Cheers
Dave.

On 07/07/2014 08:17, Dave Liquorice wrote:
On Sun, 06 Jul 2014 18:33:10 +0100, alan wrote:

I toned down a blue LED by inking over with a red pen

Why do makers have thse indicator LEDS so bright? On the little (two
thumb size) wireless keyboard they are so bright it makes it hard to
see the keys. Bought a NAS enclosure LED on that lit the room up at
night, attacked it with snips and aditional series resistor. Don't
know what value I ended up at but the current was 50 uA (micro amps)
and it was still a bit bright. The thing would glow dimly if you just
lighly touched the wires with dry fingers.

The LED makers have vastly improved the efficiency of LEDs with time but
electronic engineers still give them about 10mA drive current!

I have a cute little demo circuit with an original 1970's era red and
yellow LEDs in series with modern ones and the result is startling.

--
Regards,
Martin Brown

On Mon, 07 Jul 2014 08:17:28 +0100, Dave Liquorice wrote:

On Sun, 06 Jul 2014 18:33:10 +0100, alan wrote:

I toned down a blue LED by inking over with a red pen

Why do makers have thse indicator LEDS so bright? On the little (two
thumb size) wireless keyboard they are so bright it makes it hard to see
the keys. Bought a NAS enclosure LED on that lit the room up at night,
attacked it with snips and aditional series resistor. Don't know what
value I ended up at but the current was 50 uA (micro amps) and it was
still a bit bright. The thing would glow dimly if you just lighly
touched the wires with dry fingers.

As I said, I like the idea that HP have on the switches I have...the LED
brightness is variable. I have them on the lowest setting.



--
My posts are my copyright and if @diy_forums or Home Owners' Hub
wish to copy them they can pay me £30a message.
Use the BIG mirror service in the UK: http://www.mirrorservice.org
*lightning surge protection* - a w_tom conductor

Bob Eager wrote:
A bit strange, this but perhaps someone has an idea or two.

I've just installed a rackmount KVM at home. Very nice, far better than
the old Belkin one.

It has a green power indicator LED on the front panel which is FAR too
bright! The rack almost faces my desk, and it's dazzling.

I could just stick insulation tape over it but I'd rather just dim it
down a bit. I don't want to open the thing up, so any ideas? Semi opaque
tape perhaps (suggestions?)

Cut a square from the sticky strip of a post-it note? Similar to masking
tape, but if you don't have any to hand...

On 06/07/2014 21:48, Adam Funk wrote:
On 2014-07-05, Bob Eager wrote:

A bit strange, this but perhaps someone has an idea or two.

I've just installed a rackmount KVM at home. Very nice, far better than
the old Belkin one.

It has a green power indicator LED on the front panel which is FAR too
bright! The rack almost faces my desk, and it's dazzling.

I could just stick insulation tape over it but I'd rather just dim it
down a bit. I don't want to open the thing up, so any ideas? Semi opaque
tape perhaps (suggestions?)

Masking tape?

Any kind of black marker pen. Even a dry marker pen if you don't rub it.

--
Regards,
Martin Brown

On Mon, 07 Jul 2014 08:42:13 +0100, Martin Brown
wrote:

On 07/07/2014 08:17, Dave Liquorice wrote:
On Sun, 06 Jul 2014 18:33:10 +0100, alan wrote:

I toned down a blue LED by inking over with a red pen

Why do makers have thse indicator LEDS so bright? On the little (two
thumb size) wireless keyboard they are so bright it makes it hard to
see the keys. Bought a NAS enclosure LED on that lit the room up at
night, attacked it with snips and aditional series resistor. Don't
know what value I ended up at but the current was 50 uA (micro amps)
and it was still a bit bright. The thing would glow dimly if you just
lighly touched the wires with dry fingers.

The LED makers have vastly improved the efficiency of LEDs with time but
electronic engineers still give them about 10mA drive current!

The blue LED indicator lamps are the worse for this excessive
brightness issue. On older kit using different lamp colours, they seem
to have decided on the same value of current limiting resistor for all
three colours (red, green and blue) with the result that the blue is
uncomfortably bright compared to the more muted red and green lamps.

I've found that if I pick a resistor value that uses orange instead
of red as the third band on the originally fitted resistor, that seems
to drop the brightness to a more comparable level. :-)


I have a cute little demo circuit with an original 1970's era red and
yellow LEDs in series with modern ones and the result is startling.

But not as startling for LEDs of a colour other than the blue LED
ime.
--
J B Good

On Mon, 07 Jul 2014 09:51:19 +0100, Martin Brown
wrote:

On 06/07/2014 21:48, Adam Funk wrote:
On 2014-07-05, Bob Eager wrote:

A bit strange, this but perhaps someone has an idea or two.

I've just installed a rackmount KVM at home. Very nice, far better than
the old Belkin one.

It has a green power indicator LED on the front panel which is FAR too
bright! The rack almost faces my desk, and it's dazzling.

I could just stick insulation tape over it but I'd rather just dim it
down a bit. I don't want to open the thing up, so any ideas? Semi opaque
tape perhaps (suggestions?)

Masking tape?

Any kind of black marker pen. Even a dry marker pen if you don't rub it.

In many cases involving a blue LED, even that isn't sufficient. :-(

--
J B Good

On Mon, 07 Jul 2014 11:50:21 +0100, Johny B Good wrote:

On Mon, 07 Jul 2014 08:42:13 +0100, Martin Brown
wrote:

On 07/07/2014 08:17, Dave Liquorice wrote:
On Sun, 06 Jul 2014 18:33:10 +0100, alan wrote:

I toned down a blue LED by inking over with a red pen

Why do makers have thse indicator LEDS so bright? On the little (two
thumb size) wireless keyboard they are so bright it makes it hard to
see the keys. Bought a NAS enclosure LED on that lit the room up at
night, attacked it with snips and aditional series resistor. Don't
know what value I ended up at but the current was 50 uA (micro amps)
and it was still a bit bright. The thing would glow dimly if you just
lighly touched the wires with dry fingers.

The LED makers have vastly improved the efficiency of LEDs with time but
electronic engineers still give them about 10mA drive current!

The blue LED indicator lamps are the worse for this excessive
brightness issue. On older kit using different lamp colours, they seem
to have decided on the same value of current limiting resistor for all
three colours (red, green and blue) with the result that the blue is
uncomfortably bright compared to the more muted red and green lamps.

I've found that if I pick a resistor value that uses orange instead
of red as the third band on the originally fitted resistor, that seems
to drop the brightness to a more comparable level. :-)


I have a cute little demo circuit with an original 1970's era red and
yellow LEDs in series with modern ones and the result is startling.

But not as startling for LEDs of a colour other than the blue LED
ime.

This is a massive green LED. Just glad it isn't blue! :-)

Amazing how much advice such a trivial problem has generated. Thanks
everyone.

--
My posts are my copyright and if @diy_forums or Home Owners' Hub
wish to copy them they can pay me £30a message.
Use the BIG mirror service in the UK: http://www.mirrorservice.org
*lightning surge protection* - a w_tom conductor

Johny B Good wrote:
The blue LED indicator lamps are the worse for this excessive
brightness issue. On older kit using different lamp colours, they seem
to have decided on the same value of current limiting resistor for all
three colours (red, green and blue) with the result that the blue is
uncomfortably bright compared to the more muted red and green lamps.

I've found that if I pick a resistor value that uses orange instead
of red as the third band on the originally fitted resistor, that seems
to drop the brightness to a more comparable level. :-)

I recently designed a PCB with a series of indicator LEDs for different
power rails, and decided to use a rainbow colour scheme
white/blue/green/yellow/orange/red
All but the white came from the same Kingbright range.

Not only were they painfully bright, they were all different levels of
intensity. I had to spend half a day tweaking the resistor values to match
the intensity across the array. To make it more exciting, the power rails
were different voltages. Some of the resistor values went up by a factor of
100.

Theo

On 08/07/2014 00:17, Theo Markettos wrote:
All but the white came from the same Kingbright range.

Should have bought from the Notso 'kingbright range. :-)

--
Rod

On Tuesday, 8 July 2014 00:17:51 UTC+1, Theo Markettos wrote:
Johny B Good wrote:

The blue LED indicator lamps are the worse for this excessive

brightness issue. On older kit using different lamp colours, they seem

to have decided on the same value of current limiting resistor for all

three colours (red, green and blue) with the result that the blue is

uncomfortably bright compared to the more muted red and green lamps.



I've found that if I pick a resistor value that uses orange instead

of red as the third band on the originally fitted resistor, that seems

to drop the brightness to a more comparable level. :-)


I recently designed a PCB with a series of indicator LEDs for different
power rails, and decided to use a rainbow colour scheme
white/blue/green/yellow/orange/red
All but the white came from the same Kingbright range.

One problem is that our eyes have a differnt sensitivity to that of those devices that measure brightness. They can also have diffenrt angles of view which can be another annoyance.



Not only were they painfully bright, they were all different levels of
intensity. I had to spend half a day tweaking the resistor values to match
the intensity across the array.

You shouldn't use the voltage or current to change LEDs brightness you shoud use constant cuttent and PWM to adjust the intensity.

To make it more exciting, the power rails
were different voltages. Some of the resistor values went up by a factor of
100.



Theo