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New way to power up your computer-based cabinet
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bfauska:
I wanted to power up my cabinet using a button on the CP w/o having a dedicated button for the task. I know that some motherboards will allow you to use a keyboard key to power-up the PC but mine doesn't. So I decided that with a relay I could choose a button on my CP and wire it to the motherboard power-on header and when the PC was powered the button would become the "Enter" button for use in my front-end. I shut down the cabinet by shutting down windows from MAMEwah with a shifted key combo, so I didn't need the power button to be connected once the computer was on, but I did leave the original power button wired to the MB before the relay so it stays functional at all times, this way I can use it to power down if the computer locks up or something. In the future I plan on using the empty poles of the relay to switch a power strip for the speakers and marquee and for illuminating the power button when the cabinet is off and then allowing LEDwiz control of the LED in that button.

Here's a picture of how I wired up the relay. I think the picture should be pretty clear, but if there are any questions feel free to ask. Hopefully somebody will find this useful.

Major Rock Hardy:
nice idea!

I am right at this point now, trying to figure out what relay I needed to buy to have the mobo turn on the monitor, and you give me this idea for a power button!

So about the relay:  12V coil (obviously), but is it a DPDT?  The picture almost looks like a 4PDT.  Anyway, do you have problems with oscillations of the coil?  Power pops when the coil field breaks down?

Also, is that terminal block a relay socket or is it part of the relay?  Can you post the relay part #?

I am also interested in delaying the power-on (and off) of the speakers because the monitor can make a pretty loud pop in the speakers.  I think I'm going to make an RC charging circuit and a comparator for this but I'm throwing it out there for comments.  Time delay relays are silly expensive.

Cheers,
MRH
bfauska:
The relay is a 4PDT relay mounted in a socket. I think it's from Grainger, I ordered some 24v ones last year at work to replace these so these got ditched and I grabbed one. The 4P will work out nice in the end for me because of all the things I want it to switch. The coil hasn't been buzzing or oscillating at all and I haven't noticed any pops. I'm not switching anything powered with it yet though so there's not really anything that would pop.


I think this is the relay. I could look at the part number on the relay, but I'd have to open my cab, I know this is one I would order to do it again, I just don't know for sure that it is THE same relay.
DaOld Man:
Neat idea bfauska!!!

I like using relays.. I used to use relays to do all sorts of complex functions on machines at work, then the end of the world was ushered in by the PLCs..  ;D

Still, you would be surprised what you can do with a few relays.
bossyman15:
i just do it easy way all i did was wire one of my button (pause) to motherboard so that button have 2 function 1) to power up the cab 2) to pause the game
i just set it up in windows so pressing power button does nothing. it will not power down. its pretty easy way to do it.
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