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yet another volcano button question (& Keywiz)

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mmmPeanutButter:

Ok, I searched.  I found out a lot.

Get Atari cone buttons on ebay.  Check.

Connect in parallel.  Check.

Use a 330 ohm resistor for each.  Check.

But I still have a couple questions (I am such an idiot when it comes to anything electrical, so please forgive me).   :-[

Ok, my keywiz has a 5v connection.  I would like to put two wires into this connection.  Each wire will be connected to its own resistor.  Then one wire will go to one LED and the other wire to the other LED.

First, is this right?  Somebody metioned something about finding how much current I can draw from the 5v on the keywiz so I don't damage it (RandyT??).

Now, I need a ground for the other side of the LED (right?).  Can this be connected to the same ground that I used for all of my buttons??

I have a feeling I might be right, but I don't want to risk messing up my buttons or the keywiz.  Any help would be great.


EDIT: I guess I'm an idiot.  Reading the instructions for the keywiz, it says (in bold) "WARNING! Before wiring switches to the KeyWiz, locate and identify the +5v connection.  Shorting this terminal to ground will cause severe damage to the KeyWiz and your computer! BE CAREFUL!

So now I'm even more confused.   :-\



Here is a link to my project if you want to see it.

HoopstarsGarage:

I assume that both the Keywiz and the Ipac's use the same kind of switching - that is the Caps Lock, Scroll Lock and Num Lock pins are grounded when "on"..

In otherwords, you connect your 330ohm resistor to the +5v line, then to your LED, then from the LED to the interface.  The interface will "connect" (internally) the LED to ground when it needs to switch on..

check out Andy's Site for more info - but like Isaid, I am only ASSUMING that this is how Keywiz do it..

http://www.ultimarc.com/ipac2.html


Hoops

mmmPeanutButter:

I hope this isn't too annoying seeing how this post is pretty dead...

But I gave RandyT a little nudge to take a look at this post and he cleared everything up via e-mail.  I just thought I would post what the outcome just in case anybody searches for this in the future.

mmmPeanutButter says:

Randy,
I posted the above question a little while ago and I sent you a PM to take a look at it.  I don't always trust that people check their PM's so I thought I would send you an e-mail.  If you could take a look at my question and post a response that would be great.  Thanks so much.

RandyT says:

If alll you want to do is make the LED's stay lit inside the buttons,
everything you said sounds appropriate.    Split off the 5v to 2 resistors
of the proper value (for you to decide) then connect wires from the
resistors to each of the respective anodes (+) of the LEDs.  Then hook the
cathode (-) to your ground line.  There should be plenty of current to run a
couple of LEDs in this manner.

mmmPeanutButter says:

Great.  thanks for the reply.
So it can be the same ground I use for the buttons?  I asume that a ground is a ground is a ground.  Thanks again.

(yes, and that's all I want to do is light up the buttons when the computer is on)

RandyT says:

Yep!  Ground is ground, so no problems.

Simon says:

Touch your knees.



So it looks like it's all resolved.  Thanks for the help randy.


pointdablame:

* pointdablame touches his knees.
Good info, I'm sure someone can find it useful.

SirPoonga:


--- Quote from: HoopstarsGarage on June 26, 2005, 09:50:30 pm ---I assume that both the Keywiz and the Ipac's use the same kind of switching - that is the Caps Lock, Scroll Lock and Num Lock pins are grounded when "on"..

In otherwords, you connect your 330ohm resistor to the +5v line, then to your LED, then from the LED to the interface.  The interface will "connect" (internally) the LED to ground when it needs to switch on..

check out Andy's Site for more info - but like Isaid, I am only ASSUMING that this is how Keywiz do it..

http://www.ultimarc.com/ipac2.html


Hoops

--- End quote ---

FYI, the keywiz does not support keyboard LEDs.  So no blinking lights for credits with atari games :(

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