LED Strip has Female Molex Connector, How to connect?

[sethwilliam]

Nothing else in my system uses Molex cables except for this one case LED Strip which I would like to use. How can I go about powering it up?

 

[ThatVietGuy]

You can use a SATA to Molex adapter if you have any SATA connectors left - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812816038

But what's your power supply? Most PSUs should have at least one Molex connector available.

 

[sethwilliam]

Corsair RM 1000i, it has female Molex connectors but I don't see any males.

 

[synphul]

This is from a different psu but is a shot of a male molex. Not trying to insult your intelligence, just not sure if you realize neither male or female has exposed pins. One has a large plastic sheath and male pins inside, the other should have metal receptacles for the pins with a smaller plastic sheath that slips into the other end. Usually the male has curved grips on it like the ones in this photo for easier removal.

http://images.bit-tech.net/content_images/2008/04/thermaltake_toughpower_1500w_w0171_psu/molex-8.jpg

Sorry for the large photo size, that's why it's not an inline photo here and just a link.

If you truly don't have molex plugs that match the led strip there are molex converters with m/m or f/f to bridge between two identical power connectors. Did you also check the molex from the led strip to make sure it's not dual sided like a pass through type plug? Fans often use something similar so they can be plugged in series without terminating or completely using up a molex cable.

 

[sethwilliam]

This is from a different psu but is a shot of a male molex. Not trying to insult your intelligence, just not sure if you realize neither male or female has exposed pins. One has a large plastic sheath and male pins inside, the other should have metal receptacles for the pins with a smaller plastic sheath that slips into the other end. Usually the male has curved grips on it like the ones in this photo for easier removal.

http://images.bit-tech.net/content_images/2008/04/thermaltake_toughpower_1500w_w0171_psu/molex-8.jpg

Sorry for the large photo size, that's why it's not an inline photo here and just a link.

If you truly don't have molex plugs that match the led strip there are molex converters with m/m or f/f to bridge between two identical power connectors. Did you also check the molex from the led strip to make sure it's not dual sided like a pass through type plug? Fans often use something similar so they can be plugged in series without terminating or completely using up a molex cable.

My bad I figured out what was wrong. I've been trying to figure it out and the Molex cable is if I want to ADD an additional LED strip. The LED strip that's included in the case is already hooked up though it's not visible. Really wish this was put in the case manual as it would have saved me a whole lot of trouble.

Anyways thanks for clarifying that, no I wasn't aware that neither male nor female Molex cables had extended pins. That is good to know, thanks.

 

[Paperdoc]

Sorry, but synphul got it backwards. It is quite correct that both male and female 4-pin Molex connectors have shrouds around their contacts to prevent accidental connections. But the way to distinguish is this: male connectors have pins, and female connectors have holes for the pins to fit into. It is very common for power sources to use female connectors, not male ones with exposed protruding pins. For example, in your home, wall outlets are female, and the plugs on the end of appliance cords are male. In computer PSU output connectors, the 4-pin Molex outputs are female; the power inputs on IDE HDD's, optical drives, and many other peripherals are male, but their pins do not protrude, they are partially protected by a shroud. OP, you are correct, the FEMALE 4-pin Molex connector on the end of your LED string wires is a power SOURCE for another strip.

 

[synphul]

I always get them confused. Based on the pins, I had it backwards. The male fits into the female. However the plastic portion of the 'female' pins is smaller and inserts into the larger 'male' pinned connector so from that aspect the smaller plastic portion would be the male to the plastic female of the other end of the molex.

Minus the confusion, glad you got it sorted out. I wasn't thinking built in led lighting, I was thinking an aftermarket led strip since some are molex powered.

 

[Paperdoc]

I see what you mean. I think it's even more confusing when you look at SATA power and data connectors. I think on those the sticky-out thing ( mounted on the drive unit) that inserts is the plastic rib that carries the metal contacts, and not the contacts themselves; the pocket it fits into on the mating connector (on the cable end) is the female.