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Newbie Ques - Power Problem
mikeyv23:
Hey all,
I am have almost all of the part for my cab and am getting ready to start installing and configuring things (yeah! ;D).
However I just realized a problem that never occurred to me before: how the hell am I gonna setup powering everything? ???
I have searched these message boards and haven't found anything that makes a whole lot of sense to me. I have very little background in relays and power supplies and all that good stuff. Is there an easy way to do this so everything starts together (pc, monitor, marquee light, etc) without too much difficulty?
I don't mind adding a few extra buttons or switches to my cab, I am just looking for simplicity right now. Any suggestions or ideas are greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for any help! ;D
mikeyv
SirPeale:
This wiring diagram will get everything powered on all at once.
If you don't have any experience with hands on stuff like this, you should do some practice first.
mikeyv23:
Thanks for the info. Unfortunately this is what I was afraid of. I kind of understand the diagram, but not completely. I don't suppose anybody has step-by-step instructions with a parts list?
I pretty much need a "Dummies" guide. I do not want to fry my monitor, pc, etc because I don't know what I am doing. Any ideas? Thanks again!
Pasqualz:
In my reasearch on this topic, I've found that quite a few people use a special power strip made by Bits Limited (http://www.bitsltd.net/SmartStrip/index.htm). It's called the Smart Strip and basically, you plug your computer into the special sensing outlet, then plug your TV, lights, speakers, etc... into the triggered outlets. When you turn on your computer, the power strip's circuitry senses the current draw and then turns on power to the triggered outlets! There is a cool review of this power strip at RetroBlast (http://www.retroblast.com/reviews/smartstrip2-1.html).
pointdablame:
The diagram Peale posted is pretty simple if you just look at it one part at a time. It will all come together.
However, since you seem a bit worried about this, I would also recommend a BitsLimited strip for you. Set the computer up as the sensing outlet as was suggested, and simply extend the PC power switch to outside the cab if you wanted. That way you would have a one button solution that would turn everything on. Then, simply turn off the PC through your OS as you normally would and everything will shut down also.