MAME Cabinet Power Connection Question

[tman78]

New builder here.  I have my cabinet assembled, and am wondering if I can just connect a C-14 plug (computer power inlet) on the back of the cabinet, and convert with a c14 to 5-15 and just hook up the power strip to that.

That way I don't have  a power cord just hanging out the back if I need to move the cabinet.

See attached pictures.


Any reason this isn't valid?  The plugs are rated to 250 volts, but US standard wall power is 125 volt, so shouldn't be an issue.

Thanks,
Taylor

[BobA]

Cannot tell from your picture but if the C14 to 5-15 has a male on the computer end it cannot be used to connect to the male c14 that you are showing.  If it is female I don't see the advantage as you can use a regular computer power cord to supply power via the c14.  Maybe you could draw a pic of how you want to connect these together.

[tman78]

BobA, the female portion of the top plug would face out from the cabinet.  From the wall I would plug in a computer style power cord to that.  Inside the cabinet, I would use the converter to switch back to 5-15 standard plug, and connect the power strip to the female portion of second picture.

Does that help explain what I'm trying to accomplish?

[Dalgaard]

I cut the male connector off my powerstrip and attached that to the backside of the plug, that I built into the cabinet. I used insulated crimps to make the connection, and it works like a charm

[Green Giant]

Your proposal would work just fine assuming you are trying to preserve the integrity of your powerstrip.

[tman78]

Yeah, I thought about Dalgaard said, The only reason for the connectors was I was going for the most safety with little kids around.  But really well crimped and insulated would be safe as well.

I also think inside the cab I am going to do this, http://www.iwilltry.org/w/index.php?title=How_to_build_a_remote_power_switch_to_kill_phantom_loads, and plug in speakers, light, fan, monitor to the side that I can mount a switch on the cabinet and shut off, while leaving the computer plugged into the power strip half that is always receiving power.


If i also connect speakers to a POT and mount that, and maybe a momentary switch to the computer, then from outside of cabinet I can power up PC; power up lights, fans, monitor, speakers; and control speaker volume...

But since I know zippo about electronics, this will be slow-going for me...

Thanks for the feedback.

[Dalgaard]

I also think inside the cab I am going to do this, http://www.iwilltry.org/w/index.php?title=How_to_build_a_remote_power_switch_to_kill_phantom_loads, and plug in speakers, light, fan, monitor to the side that I can mount a switch on the cabinet and shut off, while leaving the computer plugged into the power strip half that is always receiving power.

Isn't that exactly what a smartstrip does? Im using a euro-version of the smartstrip and that cost me like 10 bucks...works perfectly.

[tman78]

Close, from my understanding a smart strip shuts down peripherals when the computer is shut down.  But I may choose to keep the computer itself running, so its up on the network, but shut everything else down..

[tman78]

FYI, Looks like you could "cheat" by just using this and mounting the fob to the underside or backside of the cabinet...

http://eskc.com/images/up/File/Electronics%20Supply%20/Home%20Page/Featured%20Products/TLP66RCG_spec.pdf