Arcade Monitor On/Off Switch

[marcopolo]

I would like to add a simple on/off switch on my arcade monitor (Wells Gardner Model D9200) so I can shut it off after i'm done playing (I like to leave my computer on at all times, but i'm worried about burn in on my monitor, since the WG do not have a sleep mode).

Can someone please tell me what type of switch I should use
1. just a plain old 120V switch from Radio Shack
2. any idea what Amp rating I should get
3. any other advice.
 

Thanks,
Mark

[SNAAAKE]

you could just get a powerstrip and hook up the monitor seperate..once you are done playing,you can just turn off the powerstrip and run your computer in a different powerstrip..GREAT !

[jmcguire]

I just installed a D9200 in my cab over the weekend and was considering an on/off switch as well. I already have one powerstrip wired in to my cabinet (main power). I purchased another powerstrip and a 120v toggle switch from The Home Depot (industrial type). I plan to cut the cord of the new powerstrip (leaving the ground intact) and run it through the toggle switch. I will then "piggyback" the new powerstrip off of the "main" powerstrip. This way I can leave the WG power cord intact. I have similar plans for my marquee light.

Hope this helps,
Jeff

[hyiu]

or use those power stations....

you know... those that computer monitors sits on top...
it has 5 outlets and it has like 5 different switches and 1 main switch... etc...

I used those inside my cab.... mounted it on the side (inside the cab..)

but I'll need to open the coin door to access it....

I guess.... if you do it smart enough... you might be able to expose the switches at the back or at the top... or some new ideas....

but of course... some BYOACers are gonig to make a set of switches from scratch... and mount them just like it its manufactured by mass-production machines....

for me.... power station is good enough..... (for now...)    

[arcadepcnut]

Burn in is bad news. It doesnt take that long for it to happen. Leave and arcade menu with no screen saver up over night or all day and you'll be sorry.
On a side note, someone told me that pc monitors dont have burnin problems anymore. They lied. It just takes longer (ie. 1 week or so).

[RandyT]

I would like to add a simple on/off switch on my arcade monitor (Wells Gardner Model D9200) so I can shut it off after i'm done playing (I like to leave my computer on at all times, but i'm worried about burn in on my monitor, since the WG do not have a sleep mode).

Can someone please tell me what type of switch I should use
1. just a plain old 120V switch from Radio Shack
2. any idea what Amp rating I should get
3. any other advice.

Look at the power consumption specs of the monitor to find out the amperage of the switch you'll need.  

A properly rated switch from Radio Shack should work ok.

Another interesting option is to build an electrical box into the top of your cab and use one of those low-profile soft-touch light switches.  They are big, not too expensive and easy to hit blind.  They should also deal with the current from the monitor just fine as well, but always check the ratings regardless of how you proceed.

RandyT

[OSCAR]

I just added a relay to mine so it turns on and off with the PC.  Slightly more involved than wiring in a switch, but a bit cleaner and it's automatic.

[RandyT]

I just added a relay to mine so it turns on and off with the PC.  Slightly more involved than wiring in a switch, but a bit cleaner and it's automatic.

But he wants to leave his computer *on*  

Of course with the right mix of hardware and low-voltage control lines, you could use any switch, but that gets complicated.  It'd be cool though

RandyT

[OSCAR]

But he wants to leave his computer *on*

Hmmm, I suppose.  I completely missed that part in the original post.  Since it is a VGA monitor, can't you just use the motherboard bios/windows power management to turn off the monitor after "x" minutes?  I know my W-G D9100 does this even though there isn't a sleep mode in the monitor config, and I would assume that the D9200 does as well.

Or perhaps you using pure DOS?

[eightbit]

Hmmm, I suppose.  I completely missed that part in the original post.  Since it is a VGA monitor, can't you just use the motherboard bios/windows power management to turn off the monitor after "x" minutes?  I know my W-G D9100 does this even though there isn't a sleep mode in the monitor config, and I would assume that the D9200 does as well.

That would still leave the rest of the cab on. I have my PC plugged in seperate so that I can turn off the monitor, marquee, and amp with one remote switched power strip and leave the PC on for maintenance or updates using my wireless laptop from the comfort of the couch upstairs. The PC is then wired to a arcade button that can turn it on or off, or I can shut it down remotely. Now if I could get the wake on lan to work I could also turn it on.