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Master power switch
jlfreund:
I've read some past threads and think I know what I want to do:
1) Put a jumper on the POW_SW pins on my motherboard with two wires coming out from it
2) Hookup the wires from the jumper to a momentary switch somewhere on the cabinet
3) The PC is connected to a Smart power strip's control outlet
4) The rest of the gizmos (marquee lamp, speakers, monitor, etc) are always left on, and hookup to other smart power strip outlets.
Theoretically, pressing the momentary switch will turn the entire cabinet on or off.
My questions are:
1) What is the minimum that I need for my momentary switch? 3A? 125VAC?, etc?
2) Will my smart power strip theory work, given the following peripherals:
My setup is:
1) Computer with ATX power (maybe 300W)
2) 21" Dell CRT
3) A pair of $10 Labtec amplified speakers
4) 20" Flourescent lamp similar to http://www.happcontrols.com/lighting/49100100.htm
I'm looking to use this smart strip: http://www.bitsltd.net/smartstrip/faqlcg3.htm
I'm worried about allowing the monitor to turn on and off from that smart powerstrip instead of using the monitor power button. But maybe that's what the smart strip was designed for. I don't understand any of the electrical ratings in the smart strip description.
Jason
NightGod:
1) Shouldn't need much, if anything. AFAIK it just shorts out two ground pins, no real voltage crosses it.
2) I can't think of a reason it won't work like that, monitors turn off and on via power strips all the time without any problem.
Hippo:
Yes it will work, I build my own 'smartstrip' and thats how I power up my cab.
Actually at the moment until I get the power switch from the PC extended im using the 'keyboard any key power-on' option in the bios. So when I mash any keys on the control panel the thing boots :)
MYX:
I have the Bitz Limited Smart strip and it does exactly this.
I just took the 2 wires coming from the mother board and snipped them (so I could use the connector that hooks to the mother board) I soldered 2 longer wires to the piece connected to the mother board. I ran it to an arcade push button on the front of the cab. There is no extra voltage needed here. Just a connection (Closing a circuit). I used 22G wire.
As to the smart strip, it works like a champ. I have the PC connected to it. I press the new power button, the PC kicks on and almost immediatly the monitor, and power supply #2 kick on as well. There is an adjustment on the side of the power strip. This will allow for you to find the sweet spot to kick on and off the aux sockets. At first do not be supprised if once the computer turns off, everything else stays on. Adjust the little trip pot and eventually it all will kick off.
BamBam:
I installed a standard arcade button to the top of cabinet, out of sight, and connected it to my power switch on the computer. The computer and all of the other items are plugged into my Smart Switch.
Works great and it was simple to do.
John