Momentary switch problem??

[Farmboy90]

Hey guys,

Anyone know what is going on here?  I have a "one button to rule them all" on my cab that powers everything up.  Technically it powers up my PC which then causes everything else to fire up.

But something is strange with the switch.  I need to push it a bunch of times to turn things on.  Maybe a dozen times.  However I never have to push it more than once to turn things off.

How can that be?  Is there a way to figure out where the "disconnect" is?

Thanks!

[rdagger]

You can easily test the power switch by removing the power switch connector from the motherboard and see if the pressing the power button completes a circuit.

[Farmboy90]

I bought the system new for the cabinet.  I just finished building it this week actually so I would hope the power supply is okay.

If I get a voltmeter thing, what setting do I use to test?

[rdagger]

If I get a voltmeter thing, what setting do I use to test?

You need a meter that can test continuity.  Most multimeters will have a setting (sometimes it has an audio icon) to check if a circuit will allow electricity to flow through it.  You don't care about the numbers you just want to determine Yes or No.   Usually the meter can be set to beep if electricity will flow.  You first touch the meter probes together and if the meter beeps you have the meter set correctly.  Then unplug the power switch cable from the motherboard and put both meter probes on each of the cable's 2 connectors.   The probe order does not matter.  Then press the power switch and the meter should beep.

However, as I mentioned, your problem sound like a bad power supply or motherboard.  You might want to confirm that all the power supply plugs are inserted firmly.

[Farmboy90]

Thanks for the great reply!!  I will double check that the motherboard connector for the power switch is seated correctly and frimly and then test with the meter.

[Farmboy90]

Well I tried using a voltmeter to test conductivity.  I found something that seems to be strange...

I thought these switches were momentary - meaning they would never show continous connection.

When I connect the switch to the voltmeter one of two things happens - either there is no sound or this is constant sound.  So let's say there is no sound.  I push the switch, and then let go of it, then I hear constant sound from the voltmeter.  The sound will NOT stop until I push the button again.  At this point it remains silent until it push the button again.  The button works 100% of them time.  Meaning if it is off and I push it, then it comes on and I hear sound.  Push it again and it goes off.

Is this how momentary switches are supposed to work?  It seems like I have something behaving more like a toggle switch would.

Is this why I am having a problem?

I still need to push it a bunch of times (maybe a couple dozen somtimes) for the PC to come on. 

I can try swapping the power supply next I guess.

[rdagger]

Momentary switches should only beep on a continuity meter when the switches are actually being pressed down.  When you let up it should never beep.  Why don't you just hook up two wires to the power switch connectors on the motherboard and test the computer by see if it will turn on when you momentarily touch the wires together. 

Older computer cases used on/off (non-momentary switches), but those only work with AT power supplies.  Almost all new computers use ATX power supplies which are controlled by a momentary switch.

[Farmboy90]

Momentary switches should only beep on a continuity meter when the switches are actually being pressed down.  When you let up it should never beep.  Why don't you just hook up two wires to the power switch connectors on the motherboard and test the computer by see if it will turn on when you momentarily touch the wires together. 

This works fine.  I did this before hooking it up to my supposed momentary switch.  Touching the two wires worked 100% of the time in turning the machine off and on.

Off to ace hardware I guess now....

[pmc]

I bought a momentary switch at Radio Shack for this pupose. I think this is it. While I was rummaging through the bins, I noticed that there's an identical looking switch that is actually a toggle switch (it clicks on and off when you press it). But it's designed to look just like the momentary (or vice versa). I had to go so far as to actually read the packaging to ensure I got a momentary.

Anyway, maybe you didn't get a momentary even though you thought you did.

-pmc

[Farmboy90]

I bought a momentary switch at Radio Shack for this pupose. I think this is it. While I was rummaging through the bins, I noticed that there's an identical looking switch that is actually a toggle switch (it clicks on and off when you press it). But it's designed to look just like the momentary (or vice versa). I had to go so far as to actually read the packaging to ensure I got a momentary.

Anyway, maybe you didn't get a momentary even though you thought you did.

-pmc

That is precisely what happened bro.  In fact, I just came from Radio Shack and got a push button momentary that does NOT click when you push it.  In fact, I even said to myself "man this is EXACTLY what I already have".  But when I pushed it and didn't hear it click I knew I had the right thing.

The only good thing about this is that since the switch is exactly the same in its size and looks, I won't need to drill or patch any holes.  Just swap them out.