Adding LEDs to LCD for backlighting?

[Creig]

I'm putting the finishing touches on my system in the next few weeks and have run into a snag. The Themaltake V1000A case I purchased came with the Hardcano 9 (http://www.thermaltake.com/accessories/hardcano/a1659.htm) which is NOT backlit. I contacted Thermaltake to try and obtain the backlit display from their VM2000A case (http://www.thermaltake.com/xaserCase/lanfire/vm2000a.htm) but they refused. I then offered to purchase the entire Hardcano unit from a VM2000a and they AGAIN refused saying that if I wanted one that I'd have to purchase the entire case to get it. Talk about a total LACK of customer service!

So I looked at pictures of both units and it appears that the only real difference in the displays is that a blue led has been set at the edge of the glass on each side of the LCD to provide the backlighting.

Could somebody verify this by looking at the pics? And also provide me a suggestion of what type/voltage/brightness blue LEDs would be appropriate for the job? I'm not really up on my LEDs and would appreciate some helpful suggestions.

Jameco shows three blue LEDs in their catalog.

http://www.jameco.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ExecMacro/Jameco/searchResult.d2w/report?sort=BPA&search=134332ca
http://www.jameco.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ExecMacro/Jameco/searchResult.d2w/report?sort=BPA&search=137613ca
http://www.jameco.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ExecMacro/Jameco/searchResult.d2w/report?sort=BPA&search=138691ca

Sorry for the length of this, but as I said I'm not REALLY into electronics. I can follow directions, but that's about it. :(

Thanks!

[Ragnarok]

use the first ones, they are the brightest of the lot..

they are rated @ 350mcd @ 20mA 3.8V

u can wire 3 of them together in series with a 30 ohm resistor, and just hook that up to 12V rail..

[Creig]

Thanks for the reply. It put me on the right track.