Master Switch Question

[austinrfnd]

I see alot of cabinets nowadays have these master switches, where as for me, I have to go into the cabinet and turn the computer on, and turn the TV on etc.

How do you guys have switches on the external of your cabinet allowing you to turn on all your appliances (TV, speakers, and computer, etc.)?

PS: is there a site with plans and what not I could work off of to construct my own master switch?

-Austin

[Amra]

There are a couple options...

Option 1.  Hack a relay into a Power Strip, (there are plans on the Net for this option).  Basically, the computer is in the only "always on" plug, and when the computer is turned on, the relay is activated, turning on the rest of the equipment.

Option 2. If you are using an AT Power Supply, you can simply use one of those power strips, and relocate the switch from the power strip to somewhere on the cab.

Option 3. If you have an ATX Powersupply and can find a power + momentary switch, you can wire the on button to that switch, along with the power strip.  I.E. you would flick the switch, everything would power up except the computer, and then you press the switch a little farther and the computer cuts on too.

Option 4. Run the power switch to one of your arcade buttons, and just use the two button method, one for the computer, and one for everything else.

Personally, I would use Option 1.... but thats just me.

[JustMichael]

Option 5:   Only recommended if you know what you are doing!!!
Create your own "switched ac outlet" inside your cab.  Leave the monitor on and set the computer to come on whenever power is applied.  Now when you flip the power switch, your marquee lights up and the monitor and computer come on.

[zzsprade]

JustMichael,

Any information to share on this Option 5 at all mate?

Cheers!

-Alex

[Sshado]

Option 6:  similar to option 1.  Instead of hacking, you can just buy a strip with this same feature.

I got a power tool outlet that has 3 outlets (from Sears). One is for the main tool and the other two are for accessories such as a light and a vacuum. If the main tool loses power, the other two turn off, if the main tool turns on, the other two turn on. What I did was plug the computer into the main outlet and added a surge protector to the accessory outlet. I plugged everything else into the surge protector. I then wired an extension from the computer's power switch to a switch in the cabinet. When I flip the switch, everything turns on. When I flip it again, the computer shuts down and everything turns off.

[PkingRoch]

Add the above with the ability to turn your computer on through a keypress (in most BIOS power settings) and you don't even need a switch; just walk up to the machine and press any CP button!

[Sshado]

You could do that, but with my switch, you can shut everything off (including the computer) with the switch.